In wrapping up an exceptional month for music, we decided to bring back an old feature and share with you some of the best songs we’ve been jamming out to lately. This week we bring you some Of Mice & Men, a new Vampire Weekend tune, some hip-hop, and much more. So give these songs a listen and let us know what you’ve been jamming recently in the comments.
Joe Ballard’s Pick: “Step” – Vampire Weekend
If you’re one of those people who love to hate Vampire Weekend just because they’re a group of Ivy Leaguers, hopefully this song will help change your mind. “Step” is currently my favorite song released so far in 2013 and is just one of many standouts on the band’s sensational new album, Modern Vampires of the City. This is a slower tune featuring some piano, a lush, dreamy harpsichord, and verses referencing Angkor Wat and Croesus while the stunning chorus elaborates on a newfound maturity: “The gloves are off/the wisdom teeth are out…I’m stronger now/I’m ready for the house.” Musically, “Step” is the epitome of the word beautiful.
Ben Wieber’s Pick: “Fox’s Dream of the Log Flume” – mewithoutYou
About 90% of the music I listen to is heavy in one way or another, but there is something irresistible about mewithoutYou. Aaron Weiss’ lyrics are always very poetic and they flow just perfectly. This song showcases the best of mewithoutYou’s lyricism, musicality, and atmosphere. Not to mention, Hayley Williams has quite a unique guest appearance near the end! I highly recommend this album (Ten Stories) as well as their 2006 release (Brother, Sister). So check this song out and be sure to read the lyrics as you listen. You’re welcome.
Jack Suitor’s Pick: “Apologies” – The Felix Culpa
Even though there has been a ton of great new music coming out in the recent weeks, I’ve still found time to revisit The Felix Culpa’s highly underrated masterpiece Sever Your Roots. Initially, ending the 14-song epic with what is essentially just an emotional love song in “Apologies” might seem like a questionable choice, but the song is just so good. The instrumentation is minimal but fitting, and the genuine passion is palpable throughout the track. In the end, it turns out to be a perfect closer for a fantastic album.
Rebecca Kravetz’s Pick: “The Depths” – Of Mice & Men
I’ve always been a fan of Of Mice & Men and Austin Carlile’s fry screams, but after seeing them live earlier this month, this song has been constantly stuck in my head. “The Depths” just has so much energy. It’s been almost a year since its release and I still get pumped every time I hear it. When OM&M plays the song live, they make the entire audience get on the floor until Austin screams “Get up!” Warning: their stage presence may cause concert withdrawal.
Justin Peterson’s Pick: “Needle” – Born Ruffians
“Needle” is the first and only song by Born Ruffians that I have ever listened to, but I absolutely love it. My friend at school showed it to me back in April, and I’ve been listening to it ever since. It feels like a summer song; it’s a really upbeat track to just jam to, and it’s catchy as hell. The lyrics are also great, beginning a bit silly but ending as an almost coming-of-age anthem. “Needle” is definitely a song everybody should lend an ear to, and I promise you won’t regret it.
Nick Niedzielski’s Pick: “Breathe”- G-Eazy
I saw G-Eazy last week for the second time and it further cemented my belief that he is going to blow up very soon. He successfully blends his signature laid-back drawl with throwback-style instrumentation, and doesn’t sound like anything else out there right now. He really straddles the line of retro, lyric-driven hip-hop and fun, energetic hip-hop. This song, one of the strongest off last year’s Must Be Nice, features a beat comprised of a bouncing piano line, pounding snares, hand claps, and a whining saxophone, with G-Eazy offering a boastful notice, “If you didn’t know before/Now you know/ I’m the motherfucking man.” So don’t be surprised when he’s the next big thing in rap. He tried to warn you.
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