the latest by quinn donnell
So far, 2012 has proven to be an exciting year for new music. Over the past six months, I’ve found some tunes that I’m sure we’ll be discussing when everyone makes their end-of-the-year lists. In no particular order, here are my favorite tracks of 2012 so far: “Emmylou”—First Aid Kit: I know I said these songs are in no particular order, but “Emmylou” is the first song that comes to mind when I think about my favorite songs of this year so far. First Aid Kit is a folk duo of two Swedish sisters, and their recent album, The Lion’s Roar, is full of these sweet, slide-guitar-filled, harmonized, banjo-driven tunes. “Friends of Friends”—Hospitality: There’s something about Amber Papini’s voice that is unique to the indie-pop genre, but it’s that distinguishing style, juxtaposed with her guitar riffs and the band’s horn accompaniment that make this song so great. “Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings”—Father John Misty: I’ve never really been able to get into Fleet Foxes. I don’t know what it is; maybe I just haven’t given them enough listens, but Josh Tillman, Fleet Foxes’ former drummer, recently came out with “Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings” under the pseudonym Father John Misty, and the simple combination of drums and guitar with a chorus like “we should let this dead guy sleep” has me sold. “Simple Song”—The Shins: I really enjoyed the Shins’ new album, Port of Morrow. Because several of the album’s songs caught my attention, I had some trouble deciding which one I wanted to use for this list, but I ended up picking “Simple Song” because I think it exemplifies exactly what the Shins are about: great, simple pop songs. (Shout outs to other candidates on Port of Morrow for favorite songs of the year so far: “It’s Only Life,” “No Way Down” and “September”) “Drifting In and Out”—Porcelain Raft: Porcelain Raft is a solo project started by Italian musician Mauro Remiddi. “Drifting In and Out” is the opening track of his recent debut album, Strange Weekend, and it perfectly sets the tone for what Remiddi describes as the album’s “sleepwalking pop” style. “Don’t Let It Get to You”—Rostam: This is the first song released by Rostam Batmanglij as a solo act. I’m hoping Rostam and the gang will find some time to make a new Vampire Weekend album in the near future, but if he keeps coming out with these uplifting songs composed of strings, flutes, and beats that sound like kids beatin’ on trash cans, I will be rather content. “The Only Place”—Best Coast: I don’t have an undying love for cats; I don’t generally listen to songs about wanting a boyfriend; I’m not familiar with going to the beach every day and living the California lifestyle. These are reasons why I couldn’t totally get the first Best Coast album, but their new song, “The Only Place,” adopts everything that I did love about their first album: fairly mindless pop music that just makes me happy. “Ho Hey”—The Lumineers: This song has a serious I’m-in-a-bar-with-people-singing-and-raising-pints-of-beerand-stomping-their-boots feel. Personally, that element alone makes a song iPod-worthy, but the Lumineers take “Ho Hey” to another level with the utilization of some fantastic acoustic guitar.
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