pop rock

Songs of the Week 73: August 7 – August 13

~ kbo27

tender#5. Tender – Outside

soundcloud.com/tenderofficial

Tender are back with another sensual, pulsating RnB track that’s sure to have you swaying side to side and thinking of that special someone.

paper lions#4. Paper Lions – My Number

soundcloud.com/paperlions

This one got me with those vibrating “ooooooh” that end every line. I’m a sucker for nifty little hooks and My Number is alll about dem hooks.

hunny#3. Hunny – Colder Parts

soundcloud.com/hunnytheband

I’ve been on a real “songs that sound like they should be from the 80s” kick recently, and Hunny’s driving guitar riffs and catchy vocals fit that bill perfectly.

swims#2. Swims – Twice

soundcloud.com/officialswims

I’m loving the unique sound to Twice. Swims have taken the trend of hip hop artists “rap in a way that no one can understand what they are saying” and created a crazy fusion of RnB with poppy hip hop (I think?). Whatever it is, the grooves are undeniable.

tennis#1. Tennis – Ladies Don’t Play Guitar

soundcloud.com/tennisinc

I adore absolutely everything about the newest from Tennis. I love the sarcastic yet serious message about sexism; I love the riffs and the catchy chorus; I love the “whoooo”; but most of all I love the vocal play. It’s smooth and it’s sophisticated…with just the right about of pop.

Songs of the Week 72: July 31 – August 6

~ kbo27

xaxo#5. XAXO – Safe Unknown

soundcloud.com/xaxosounds

XAXO only have two songs on their Soundcloud, both of which I heard for the first time this past week. Either could have made my top 5 list as both are sensational. They have a bit of the Weeknd’s sexiness, but with a bit more electro feel. Really digging this sound.

boy & bear#4. Boy & Bear – Breakdown Slow

soundcloud.com/boyandbear

Boy & Bear are my goto for a nice, relaxing afternoon at one’s cabin out by the lake. I’m really hoping to catch their show when they are in town (Vancouver) in October. Would be my first time seeing them live, and I can only imagine how chilled out that atmosphere would be. (P.S. sorry, video above will require you to go to YouTube. Couldn’t find any other links tho :/)

caitlyn-scarlett#3. Caitlyn Scarlett – Rust

soundcloud.com/caitlyn-scarlett-official

Love everything about Rust, the latest from Caitlyn Scarlett. All of it. The verses, the chorus, the voice, the pacing, the rhythm. It’s just a nice time. Reminds me of something that would have been on the Garden State soundtrack (which, at the time, was THE soundtrack to be on).

vulfpeck#2. Vulfpeck – Back Pocket

soundcloud.com/vulfpeck

I want to be friends with the kids at Vulpeck so badly. Just watch any of their videos or listen to any of their tracks. “Groovy” in band form. It’s pure fun. Smiles everywhere. Usually I don’t link to live Youtube clips, but I think this does such a good job of describing everything I love about these guys that I had to. I mean really, if you want to hear the studio version the Soundcloud link is there.

shells#1. Shells – Jagwar

soundcloud.com/shellsmusicnet

Jagwar commands your attention from the first note and doesn’t let go. The pacing is haunting and is complimented with gorgeous, powerful vocals.