PENWAVES

Freelance Whales - “Generator 1st Floor (Aislyn Remix)”

This song sounds like what the clouds must be thinking. Stumbled upon this remix in my library that I hadn’t listened to in a year. Enjoy.

The Strokes- Making of Angles: EP3 (by thestrokes)

A very very long wait for this one. It’s been nearly five years since the Strokes put out an album, and now with four days left till their new LP “Angles” is released, the wait is finally over. Lots of signature Strokes’ sound with repeating guitar riffs and steady drums, complimented nicely by craning vocals. The angst is still there, and even if the rest of the country has moved on, this band’s heart is still well-invested in the 1980s. Enjoy.

Upcoming tour dates found here: 

http://new.thestrokes.com/uncategorized/new-tour-dates

I just bought tickets to see Yeasayer in June, so naturally I’ve been scouring the internet for what songs I had not yet heard from them, and sure enough I found one that absolutely shocked and floored me. I’m completely amazed when a band, whose claim to fame resides in a certain genre or style, is able to pull-off an amazing cover using a sound so unlike and unexpected of them. And come on, Seal is under-appreciated anyways, so sing loud and unabashedly to this one (just maybe not while wearing headphones and surrounded by strangers on the subway, because that didn’t end well for me).

Sleigh Bells - “Ring Ring”

New LP Treats is phenomenal. Listen to the album in it’s entirety here. Turn volume up very loud and commence dancing wildly without reservations. And…. BEGIN!

The Black Keys - “Howlin’ For You”

New upcoming Brothers album is shaping up to be their best yet. Can’t get enough of the filthy grittiness. 

The Powder Kegs - “La Mariposa”

This philly folk rock trio is a thrill to listen to. Purely astonishing vocals with trumpets and keyboards (reminiscent of the beach boys in many ways) filling in the background; I hear something new each listen. New EP “Empty Side” dropped a few days ago, the track “La Mariposa” has spectacular spanish lyrics - just in time for cinco de mayo! Check it out aqui.

Theophilus London - “Give It Up Dad”

New mixtape “I Want You” - Download here. Thanks for the tip Mr. D.

DeVotchKa - “How It Ends” (via Radio Exile)

Something to fall asleep to, but in a good way - also enjoyable after a long day. I’ve been listening to far too much bass-infused dance mash ups and the sound of real instruments is a welcomed relief.

Phoenix - “If I Ever Feel Better” (via treeswingers)

Been reading all about this band’s scary crazy good performance at Coachella. Throw back from 2005 (but really it sounds more like Jamiroquai but with less strange dancing)

Tuung - “Hustle” (via theburningear)

Best use of combination male/female vocals since Broken Social Scene 

Mos Dub - “Johnny Too Beef (pro. Max Tannone)

Just when the weather looks to be changing for the better, the cold chilling remnants of winter seem to creep back into the city. It went from 89 degrees to 40 today - so how the hell are people still in disbelief of climate change??? People pa-lease, folks also once believed the world was flat - go read a book.

Anyways, at least when the weather isn’t sunny you can find music that can brighten your day. Here comes producer Max Tannone (you may have heard of his previous Jay-Z/Radiohead mash-up gem, “Jaydiohead”) to save the day. This time mixing Mos Def + friends nasty lyrics with sick old-school reggae jams. The album’s called “Mos Dub,” download it in its entirety from Tannone’s website.

Magnet and Gemma Hayes - “Lay Lady Lay (Bob Dylan cover)”

Listening to music is an activity that is favorable despite bad weather - which is good, because it feels like it has rained for two weeks and won’t stop. Yes, you may recognize the song from Mr and Mrs Smith, but it’s still amazing considering everyone and their mother feels the need to produce at least one Dylan cover in their musical careers, and this one is up there with the best of em.