M83 - Steve McQueen

I just can't recognize myself
Tears of joy run all over my face
My sensations reach the limit
Nothing can hurt me today

There's a magic inside
Just waiting to burst out
The world is a goldmine
That will melt tomorrow

Living for, living for a thrill
Just waiting, just waiting!

Taking a little break from all the new/rare stuff we've posted lately. 2011's Hurry Up, We're Dreaming gave me two of my favorite songs. One of them is probably everyone's favorite M83 song ("Midnight City") so I'm making the lesser-played "Steve McQueen" today's Most Important. Alternate title (not really): "Carpe Diem!"

RIYL: Neon Indian, Phoenix, Phantogram, Purity Ring

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Jay Som - Baybee

Sweetheart, listen
Make up your mind
Whatever helps you sleep
In the night
Pieces won’t mend back together
That's a shame
You shaved off parts of me I must erase
Cause I know
You know
I know

Jay Som got her moniker the same way Childish Gambino got his. Wonder if she'll decide to let it go in a few years as well? Hailing from Oakland, CA (Congrats Dubs!) Melina Duterte has been working on her version of bedroom pop since middle school (and MySpace). With the recent release of her official debut album, Everybody Works, she continues to explore and put her stamp on styles from R&B (like this track) to folk, to grunge, to top 40 pop. Pitchfork praises her, and at least one music blogger (not us, Oh My Rockness out of NYC) ranks this album as a contender for best-of-the-year. So give this track a listen, but don't stop there. 

RIYL: Mitski, Japanese Breakfast, Frankie Cosmos, Alvvays

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Diet Cig - Barf Day

I just wanna have ice cream on my birthday
(Will you be my)
I know that you're sorry, I just don't care
(My birthday date?)
Blow the candles out and wish all of my pain away
(Will you be my)
I know you're sorry, I don't care
(My birthday date?)

I was combing my lists for New York bands, as well as combing my brain for a good birthday song and voilá! Keith's a big fan of little ol' pop-punk duo Diet Cig, they happen to hale from NY, and looky here: a very specifically birthday song on their new album. (He might prefer all 11 of the other songs on the album, I'm not sure but that'd be my luck, and anyway I rather like to be on the nose, or tongue-in-cheek, or something to do with the face. Gimme a kiss and shut me up!) 

RIYL: Cayetana, Lemuria, Tiger Trap

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The Royal Concept - D-D-Dance

In a room with both of your rivals
You would always turn it around
Once you go, once you get started
Always had that look in your eyes
You would always reach without trying
I didn't spend this time to fall out
Watch me take my chances on the weekends
You could always read me by heart

I know you're still green but I'll start you a scene that you can write about
When you come around
I know you're still green, girl
I'll start you a scene, girl

Always on the go, keep your head up now
Na na not quite that high
D-d-dance dance dance till you get it right
Always on the go, keep your head up now

Stockholm's indie-pop-rock quartet haven't given us anything new in a few years, but they've announced their rehearsals and that they'll be touring again soon (TBA) so maybe it's time to remind us of their fantastic debut single from 2011.

RIYL: Vampire Weekend, Phoenix, Youngblood Hawke, Smallpools

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Fictionist - Manic

I'm thinking of you thinking of me
Thinking of you thinking of me
Always thinking...
Somewhere across town
I know you're having a day
While the shoulders of powerful men
In a casual way
Maybe you don't know
You make me nervous

Well, this act just blew a hole in any hubris I was gaining from my year of deep diving into indie and alt (and pop) rock. How had I never heard of Fictionist before? They're from a place I lived for years, they have toured with bands I like, their references and influences are top notch, they came in fourth in a Rolling Stone poll... WTH? Anyway, thankfully Spotify knew I'd like 'em and added their lead single ("Manic") from their newly released album (Sleep Machine) to my Radar. So fun! I've been able to listen to the whole album a few times through now (it's short!) and it's filled with gems and interesting sounds. I almost chose the dancier "Lazarus" or the title-I-adore "We Can Sleep When We Die" but this track hits those moments and swirls in a bit of chaos and is still pop-radio-ready (which is not a pejorative to me). Seems Fictionist is a band that likes to evolve and change with every album, and it's been fun to go backwards to listen to their 2014 and 2011 LPs, all good.

RIYL: Mutemath, MGMT, Paper Route, Phoenix

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