I'm excited as always to bring you music heads the latest and greatest in indie music. Today's entry will be my 25th Weekend Tune-Up, and all I can say is, wow. I'm extremely humbled and fortunate to get the opportunity to share the music that moves me with you guys every week. We all have different taste, and you may not dig the music of every artist I share with you guys, and that's OK. I greatly appreciate all the support and hope you look forward to checking out these Tune-Up's as much as I enjoy putting them together. Thank you, again. Now, let's get to the music.
From the top I have EL VY, a collaborative group composed of the National's Matt Berninger and Menomena/Ramona Falls' Brent Knopf. "Return To The Moon" is bit more uptempo than the usual National fare, but Matt's voice is as recognizable as ever. British singer-songwriter Lapsley has a new electro-influenced slow jam titled, "Hurt Me." I really dig her vocals in this emotional track. Beirut has been pretty quiet since announcing the release of a fresh LP, No No No . "Gibraltar" is the new single, and it's filled with hand-claps, congos, and cheerful keyboard melodies. I'm always in the mood for Beirut. Animal Collective fave Panda Bear dropped an unexpected EP, Crosswords, and I've included one of the four tracks here. I've also been listening to the Beach House's new record, Depression Cherry, pretty much nonstop for the past week, and I'm happy to report that I have very positive feelings towards it. "PPP" is a lovely, sumptuous tune that sounds like it might fit well in a movie soundtrack. Typical goodness from the dreamy Baltimore-based duo.
My sleeper tune of the week comes from New Orleans native rapper Pell. "Vanilla Sky" starts off slow, with Pell singing over sparse guitar plucks and piano, and then picks up once the beat drops in, as does Pell rapping with some purpose. This isn't your typical Crescent City rap track. Pell seems to be ushering in a different sound that NOLA natives should welcome. You should, too. Don't sleep on it.
1. EL VY, "Return To The Moon"
2. Odesza Feat. Little Dragon, "Light"
3. Deerhunter, "Snakeskin"
4. Neon Indian, "Slumlord"
5. Dornik, "On My Mind"
6. Lapsley, "Hurt Me"
7. Beirut, "Gibraltar"
8. Mutemath, "Monument"
9. GEMS, "Living As a Ghost"
10. Pell, "Vanilla Sky"
11. Panda Bear, "Crosswords" (EP Mix)
12. Beach House, "PPP"
13. Gardens & Villa, "I Already Do"
14. Honne, "Loves The Jobs You Hate"
15. Lemonade Feat. Dee Dee, "Dancer On The Shore"