christine and the queens

Songs of the Week 8: May 3 – May 9

~ kbo27

family friends

#5. Family Friends – On Your Mind

soundcloud.com/family-friends

Wasn’t the song I wanted to post as #5, but sometimes the lack of information about an artist (in this case… no facebook page and no soundcloud page) makes it difficult. So instead, Family Friends and their debut On Your Mind makes the cut. It’s got a nice lo-fi, garage rock sound going on.

kingky love

#4. Kinky Love – Counting On Distance

soundcloud.com/kinkylove

I didn’t even like this song the first time I listened to it.. but for days after I had the chorus stuck in my head. I’ve since come around, and now adore the chic lounge vibe of Counting On Distance.

roosevelt

#3. Roosevelt – Night Moves

soundcloud.com/iamroosevelt

Do you want to dance? Not rave dance, but that awkward sideways shuffle one does while home alone, in nothing but underwear with the blinds drawn. Well, Roosevelt has you covered. So, so smooth.

xy&o

#2. XY&O – Low Tide

soundcloud.com/xyando

Another song that grew on me as the week went on. Also another debut. Part pop, part dance and all awesome. Looking forward to big things from XY&O.

aquilo

#1. AQUILO – Put Me Down

soundcloud.com/aquilo

I know I’ve already dubbed both Allan Rayman and Christine & The Queens as candidates for my favourite band of 2015… but I think there could be a third horse in that race. Every time I get wind of a new AQUILO song, I prepare myself for disappointment. After all, how could they top Human and Better Off Without You (not too mention EVERY OTHER SONG THEY’VE RELEASED BEING AMAZING). And yet, with each new release they continue to impress. Their eventual debut album is sure to be a stunner.

Songs of the Week 3: March 29 – April 4

~ kbo27

Hooknsling#5. Hook N Sling ft. Far East Movement – Break Yourself

soundcloud.com/hooknsling

Something about this one just screams smoke machines, strobe lights and Electric Circus. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Break Yourself make it into every nightclub DJ’s playlist.

Alpine

#4. Alpine – Foolish

soundcloud.com/alpineband

Foolish had me hooked from the first strum. Another great indie-pop song/band to come out of Australia. Seems to be a weekly occurrence these days. Definitely a feel-good, easy listen.

Vice

#3. Monarch – Stay (Vice Remix)

soundcloud.com/djvice // soundcloud.com/monarchofficial

Upon first listen I recognized something about this song. I just couldn’t put my finger on it. Wasn’t until I went to check out the Soundcloud page for Monarch that I realized I already had the the one other remix done for this song (by Kill Them With Colour). That’s what I love about remixes so much, you can take one song and have two completely different-sounding results.

Christine

#2. Christine and the Queens – iT

soundcloud.com/christineandthequeens

Another week, another beauty from Christine and the Queens. It’s honestly been a really long time since I’ve enjoyed so many tracks from one artist (I tend to bounce around a lot). If you haven’t given either Chaleur Humaine (their fantastic album) or St Claude (their upcoming EP), I highly recommend them both.

Allan

#1. Allan Rayman – Graceland

soundcloud.com/allanrayman

I’m cheating a bit here. Nothing this past week really blew my socks off like the past two weeks, and I didn’t feel right “awarding” anyone top song. So instead, I’ve decided to open the vault and share my favourite song of 2015. Not only is Graceland my top song so far this year, but Allan Rayman is my favourite new artist of 2015 as well (albeit, Christine and the Queens is making a hard push for that title). Also doesn’t hurt that he’s a fellow Canadian (from Toronto). Graceland has been, by far, my most played song this year.