I haven’t done one of these in a while but thought I probably should get back into it. Also, how is it March already, anyone else a little surprised how that crept up on us? A little sneaky, I think.
Anyone, let’s do this. Here is what I liked, and thought you’d probably like, in January/February. Huzzah!
First off the bat, you should probably check out ITYLTS Best of 2011 series. This was our big rundown of 2011 including our favourite songs, covers, remixes and what we want to be big in 2012.
January also sadly saw the end of one of my favourite TV shows, Chuck. One of the reasons I loved Chuck so much is the music it has introduced me to since I began watching it. To honour the wonderful music supervision on Chuck have a look at Chuck vs the Music, a playlist dedicated to my favourite music on Chuck. After you’ve listened to that, take a look at this interview I did with editor/director/sometimes music supervisor on Chuck, Matt Barber as we chat about music, directing, desert island discs and more.
Now onto the songs! (after the jump)
The Shins- The Shins have a new album out Port of Morrow and they’ve let us listen to upcoming tracks “Simple Song” and “September”. Port of Morrow is due March 20.
Jay-Z- Hov and Bey welcomed their baby girl, Blue Ivy, into the Carter-Knowles family in early January. Days after her birth, Jay-Z released this track “Glory” onto the interwebs. Produced by Pharrell and featuring none other than Blue Ivy, it’s a heart warming song from a very very proud pops.
Seasfire- Bristol boys Seasfire started off 2012 very well with a great show at the Communion night. Their track “Falling” is getting heard in all the right places and I chatted to the boys about the comparisons to The Weeknd and Radiohead in this interview.
Adam Barnes- This Oxford singer/songwriter also started the year off very nicely with his signing to LAB Records. Currently on tour in the US, the futures looking bright for Barnes, especially with songs like this “She Will Stay Beneath The Moon”.
Emeli Sande- Sande’s eagerly anticipated debut album Our Version of Events was released in February, and I have to say it is amazing. Stand out tracks for me are “Mountains” and “Next To Me”.
The Head and the Heart- The Head and the Heart must have got a major boost when their beautiful song “Rivers and Roads” was used in the closing moments of the Chuck finale. Along with this, they also released the video for the equally beautiful “Down In The Valley”.
Gotye- Gotye’s viral smash “Somebody That I Used To Know” was voted in at the number one spot on Triple J’s Hot 100 and it has refused to leave ever since. Helped in part by this unique cover by Walk The Earth, five people-one guitar.
The Antlers- Hey! Look! I did an interview with Michael Lerner from The Antlers! We chatted about influences, recording processes and what’s happening next. (w/ The Guestlist Network)
Miike Snow- Miike Snow have a new album out Happy To You. They’ve already let us listen to “Devil’s Work” and now here’s “Paddling Out”. Happy To You is due March 27.
Ghost Society- Lo-fi glorious sounds with Ghost Society’s “Your Hands”
Kidda- Infectiously fun synth pop Kidda with “Together Again”. If you like The Go! Team, have a listen.
The Bullitts- If you haven’t seen the video for The Bullitts’ “Supercool” yet, do it now. Jeymes Samuel + Rosario Dawson= Hilarity.
Jack White- The White Stripes frontman, Jack White has finally released some of solo material and properly solo this time, not under any other name but Jack White, “Love Interruption”.
Busby Marou- Sweet folk pop from aussies Busby Marou and “Biding My Time”
Work Drugs- One of our favourite artists from last year, Work Drugs have given us a taster of things to come on the new album with “License to Drive”.
The Griswolds- Aussie infectious indie pop courtesy of The Griswolds and “Mississippi”. If you like Vampire Weeknd or GIVERS, give this a try.
Azure Ray- A little late to the game to this duo, but “Seven Days” sure is beautiful.
Bon Iver- Some live music for you from Bon Iver. First off a special session recorded live including stripped back versions of “Hinnom, TX”, “Wash.”, “Beth/Rest”, “Babys” and “I Can’t Make You Love Me”. Secondly, here’s Justin Vernon and The Roots on Jimmy Fallon doing a r&b tinged soulful reworking of “Perth”.
disCOVER- A lot of lovely covers for you here. Emil & Friends put their unique spin on M83’s “Midnight City”. Warsonic brought synths to Mumford & Sons “White Blank Page”. The Weeknd’s “The Morning” got the cover treatment from Eliza Doolittle and Saskatchewan. Silverswans brought even more mellowness and melancholia to Lana Del Rey’s “Video Games”
Remix, Baby- To bring in 2012, remix extraordinaires RAC have done an amazing remix of some of the best tracks of 2011 for Hypemachine, called RAC vs The Hypemachine. One of my favourite remixres, LEANN GRIMES turned his attention to “Knees” by Peter and Kerry with the remix “Held Hands Coming Apart”. Dark Dark Horse brought lo-fi broodiness to Fossil Collective in his remix of “Without A Fight”.
