Monthly Mix: February 2016

The 1975 wake from their Sleep

     The music world has been off to a fast start so far this year. The trend continues into February with a blizzard-sized heap of fresh new tunes.

     British alt-rockers The 1975 are generating some noise with their latest album i like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it [February 26, via Dirty Hit]. The quirky title is fitting for the record, which bops around in different directions such as pop, funk, and even chillwave. They somehow manage to pull off all those sounds and the result is a surprisingly good listen. On the single "The Sound", frontman Matt Healy summons the help of a gospel-like choir to take part in the singing duties. Look for them as their tour rolls through the UK and the United States, and includes a big slot at Coachella.

     As the last remaining snow banks begin to melt away, it's refreshing to know that the iPod is reloaded and spring is just around the corner.

February 2016 Playlist

1.  Joywave  -  "Destruction"

2.  The Strumbellas  -  "Spirits"

3.  The 1975  -  "The Sound"

4.  The Struts  -  "Kiss This"

5.  The Lumineers  -  "Ophelia"

6.  Animal Collective  -  "Golden Gal"

7.  Yuck  -  "Hold Me Closer"

8.  The Record Company  -  "Off The Ground"

9.  Bear Hands  -  "2AM"

10.  Problems  -  "Pretending"

11.  Frightened Rabbit  -  "Death Dream"

12.  The Arcs  -  "Fools Gold"

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Joywave - "Destruction"
The Strumbellas - "Spirits"
The 1975 - "The Sound"
The Struts - "Kiss This"
The Lumineers - "Ophelia"
Animal Collective - "Golden Gal"
Yuck - "Hold Me Closer"
The Record Company - "Off The Ground"
Bear Hands - "2AM"
Problems - "Pretending"
Frightened Rabbit - "Death Dream"
The Arcs - "Fools Gold"

Monthly Mix: The Playlist, August 2012

     August for some reason always seems like the unofficial end of summer. While the sun may have cooled off, the fresh tunes continued to stay blazing. In addition to awesome music, this month's Playlist also includes some of the year's most psychedelic and, for lack of a better word, bizarre videos.
     According to Two Door Cinema Club frontman Alex Trimble, their new album Beacon is "much more intimate, but much bigger" than the band's first release two years ago. For fans of the band, that almost sounds impossible. They delivered their new single "Sleep Alone" earlier this month, a track equipped with an action packed video. A string of European dates followed by a trip to the U.S. is how these Northern Irelanders will spend the upcoming weeks.
     Australian psych-rockers Tame Impala are also set to unveil their sophomore record in the near future. The band's Lonerism will be available to the public October 5th and features the trippy "Elephant" as its first offering. If the rest of the album sounds as good as this, we are in for a treat. Check them out as their November tour plows through some of the States' hot spots.
     The last offering of the month comes from the always experimental Animal Collective. The Baltimore group is back in action with Centipede Hz, one of the year's most anticipated releases. Often described as "music from outer space", the Collective boys did nothing on their new album to dispute that reputation. "Today's Supernatural" is the lead single and features an absurdly freakish video, which shouldn't come to anyone's surprise.
      As the last tunes of the summer come in, it's nice to absorb the sunny sounds while there still is a chance. The lazy afternoons are almost over as the calendar prepares itself for cooler breezes. August's Playlist features a solid blend of cuts that falls somewhere in between, which is a good place to be right now.


August 2012 Playlist


1. Purity Ring - Amenamy

2. The Lumineers - Ho Hey

3. Two Door Cinema Club - Sleep Alone

4. Bloc Party - Octopus

5. Cherub - Doses and Mimosas

6. Tame Impala - Elephant

7. Major Lazer - Get Free (ft. Amber Coffman)

8. Black Moth Super Rainbow - Windshield Smasher

9. Wild Nothing - Paradise

10. Animal Collective - Today's Supernatural

Check in every month for the latest in alternative/indie music.

Please try and support the artists on the FW monthly Playlists!

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @s_ferris

Monthly Mix: The Playlist, May 2012

     Although the summer isn't technically here yet, it sure does feel like it. This May treated us to sunshine, a fresh bloom of wildlife, and signs of new things to come. The same can be said about the musical offerings, which features an array of new sun-baked treasures.
     Canada is definitely not short on relevant music these days. Toronto's Metric exploded back onto the alt-radio waves this month with "Youth Without Youth", a glam-rocker that finds front-woman Emily Haines describing a new generation of youngsters who are neglecting their childhood innocence. As the summer nears, this message seems to be very much appropriate. Their new album Synthetica is available for download June 12.
     It's always refreshing to hear music with meaning, and this month The Gaslight Anthem delivered. The New Jersey-based punkers handed us an early summer anthem in "45", a track off their upcoming Handwritten (July 24) which features a soaring guitar riff and powerful vocals about moving on from a past relationship.
     Michael Angelekos, lead singer of electro-pop outfit Passion Pit, claims that there is more of a dichotomy between the lyrics and the music on the band's new album Gossamer (July 24). The first single "Take A Walk" is a departure from the group relying on their trademark synth grooves and gives way to Angelekos exploring themes of political nature, something we haven't seen from them before.
     As the weather continues to become more enjoyable, the new music seems to as well. We here will throw our sunglasses on, grab our mp3 players, and head to the beach to soak up the rays, and of course the fresh tunes.

May 2012 Playlist


1. Jack White - Freedom at 21

2. Metric - Youth Without Youth

3. The Gaslight Anthem - 45

4. Silversun Pickups - Bloody Mary (Nerve Endings)

5. White Arrows - Roll Forever

6. Passion Pit - Take A Walk

7. Happy Hands Club - Astrology

8. Friends - Mind Control

9. Hot Chip - Night & Day

10. St. Lucia - Closer Than This

11. Animal Collective - Honeycomb

12. B.o.B - So Good

Check in every month for the latest in alternative/indie music.

Please support all the amazing artists featured on FW's Monthly Playlists!

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @s_ferris