Monthly Mix: June 2017

Phoenix say Ti Amo

     As the sunshine continues to pour in, so does the insane amount of quality new music. June is in the rear view mirror, but it left a mammoth-sized heap of fresh tunes.
     French rockers Phoenix are creating a buzz with their new album Ti Amo [June 9, via Glassnote]. Frontman Thomas Mars describes the record as a joyous outlet from the turmoil of their native homeland of France. The ten tracks have a bubbly-synth vibe, and at times reach Italian-disco dance peaks. On the title track "Ti Amo," the band goes into full throttle party mode, while Mars weaves back and forth between English and Italian lyrics. Check them out on their massive world festival tour, with a nice slot at Summer Sonic in Tokyo.
     As the summer continues to roll on, it's refreshing to know the iPods are reloaded with fresh beats. The June Playlist takes a trip through alternative and indie rock, and also makes a good soundtrack for enjoying a day at the beach.


June 2017 Playlist

1.  Foo Fighters  -  "Run"

2.  Arcade Fire  -  "Everything Now"

3.  Phoenix  -  "Ti Amo"

4.  The Killers  -  "The Man"

5.  Queens of the Stone Age  -  "The Way You Used To Do"

6.  Portugal. The Man  -  "So Young"

7.  Lorde  -  "Perfect Places"

8.  Broken Social Scene  -  "Halfway Home"

9.  Joywave  -  "It's a Trip!"

10.  MuteMath  -  "Hit Parade"

11.  Gov't Mule  -  "Stone Cold Rage"

12.  ODESZA  -  "Line Of Sight" ft. WYNNE & Mansionair

Check in every month for fresh new music!

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Purchase the Orbit Sound Playlist on Amazon:

Foo Fighters - "Run"
Arcade Fire - "Everything Now"
Phoenix - "Ti Amo"
The Killers - "The Man"
Queens of the Stone Age - "The Way You Used To Do"
Portugal. The Man - "So Young"
Lorde - "Perfect Places"
Broken Social Scene - "Halfway Home"
Joywave - "It's A Trip!"
MuteMath - "Hit Parade"
Gov't Mule - "Stone Cold Rage"
ODESZA - "Line of Sight"

Monthly Mix: October 2013

Arcade Fire looks through the Reflektor

     Like usual, October set a colored backdrop of flouresent trees to help ease us into the colder months. While the leaves were busy changing colors and falling from the branches, the phenomenal music cuts also continued to fall down from the skies.
     Hailing from Montreal, Quebec, indie rockers Arcade Fire are creating a major buzz around their latest album Reflektor [October 29, via Merge]. Some of this is because their previous effort won a Grammy, and some of it is because their new one is produced by LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy, who is known for infectious dance grooves. Reflektor has elements of imagination, indie rock, and a few dance numbers of course. For the track "Afterlife," frontman Win Butler admits that the song started out with an old recording of a Haitian percussion loop, went through a few variations, and finally ended up with a chorus being added. The band will go on tour as The Reflektors and has two shows in California before heading across the pond to Europe for a couple shows.
     As the brisk weather continues to near closer, it is always good to have some fresh tunes in the mp3 player ready to keep us warm. The October Playlist conjures up some alternative rock cuts, as well as sprinkling in some indie rock and chillwave offerings. As the leaves crunch under our shoes during these autumn strolls, it is good to know the beats will keep going strong.


October 2013 Playlist

1. The Killers - Shot At The Night

2. Phantogram - Black Out Days

3. Pearl Jam - Let The Records Play

4. AFI - 17 Crimes

5. The Neighbourhood - Afraid

6. Arcade Fire - Afterlife

7. Ducktails - Jazz

8. Hollow & Akimbo - Solar Plexus

9. Balance and Composure - Reflection

10. Ra Ra Riot - I Shut Off

11. Toro Y Moi - Campo

12. Cut Copy - Free Your Mind

Check in every month for the latest in alternative music.

Visit iTunes if interested in purchasing any tunes featured in Orbit Sound.

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Monthly Mix: The Playlist, September 2012

     It's always refreshing to feel the crisp breezes and to admire autumn's multi-colored backdrop. September sets the perfect stage for looking back on the wild summer

memories, but also for looking forward to what lies ahead in the fall. This month brought us a textured soundscape that includes familiar arena sounds along with a few chillwave beats to keep it fresh on those brisk nights.

     California's pop-punk heroes Green Day have launched themselves back into action on the college radio waves with the arrival of their first album in three years Uno! The first of what will eventually be a 3-part trilogy, this one offers up a heavy dose of pop. On "Kill The DJ", the band takes a trip into dance-pop territory receiving mixed results. They will hit Voodoo Festival followed by a west coast run later this season.
     One of the year's most talked about releases comes from London's The xx. The indie trio delivered Coexist which features a softer, lighter sound and blends in perfectly to our current surroundings. The second single "Chained" is a feathery cut about lovers drifting apart, and exhibits a stumbling beat until it finds its rhythm towards the end. The band will weave through Canada, the U.S., and Europe in support of the new album.
     Fresh off the heels of Battle Born, alternative rock outfit The Killers are making some noise of their own. The arena-rockers have offered up "Runaways", which finds frontman Brandon Flowers telling a story of wanting someone not to leave them. Check them out as their tour makes stops at some bigtime venues, including Madison Square Garden and Air Canada Centre.
     Autumn is one of the best times of the year, and also hands out some of the best music. This time was no different as the colorful array of sounds made for smooth accompaniment alongside the picturesque tree lines. As we officially say goodbye to the summer, we gladly throw on our jackets and head out into the cool air to enjoy the fresh scenery, not to mention the crisp music.


September 2012 Playlist


1. M83 -  Reunion

2. Minus the Bear - Steel And Blood

3. Green Day - Kill The DJ

4. Atlas Genius - Trojans

5. Passion Pit - Mirrored Sea

6. The xx - Chained

7. Yeasayer - Longevity

8. Brothertiger - Lovers

9. The Killers - Runaways

10. Freelance Whales - Spitting Image

11. Rubblebucket - (Focus) Oversaturated

12. Les Sins - Fetch

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