Mostly Music. Often Insight. Sometimes Nonsense. Follow @markzohar
We Work Nights by Gold Panda. A melange of electronic beats, micro-chopped instrumentals, hip hop and what can only be described as sitar shredding, We Work Nights is a meandering and magical musical experience. From Gold Panda’s latest album, Half of Where You Live.
Bleed Me Dry by Laura Marling. A new song Marling premiered recently on WNYC’s Spinning On Air. “Well, it’s love that I need and to love you I have to bleed and I’m not sure I’ve got a drop to spare.”
Man by Neko Case. The first single from Neko Case’s forthcoming album, The Worse Things Get, the Harder I Fight, the Harder I Fight, the More I Love You, features M. Ward shredding on guitar. Other featured guests and collaborators include: Mudhoney, The New Pornographers, Calexico, and My Morning Jacket.
Pilot Light by The Love Language. The closing track from The Love Language’s forthcoming album, Ruby Red, is lush, anthemic and features rich orchestration and Stu McLamb’s soaring vocals.
I’m Waiting Here by David Lynch featuring Lykke Li. A sultry and soporific collaboration between Twin Peaks director David Lynch and Swedish indie darling Lykke Li. From Lynch’s forthcoming album, The Big Dream, which Lynch describes as: “a modernized form of low-down blues.”
Once by Laura Marling. The second single from Marling’s upcoming album, Once I Was An Eagle - out May 27th.
Step Up For the Cool Cats by Palma Violets. These Brit rockers sound as if they took my collection of psychedelia and punk-rock LPs (Doors, Clash, Velvet Underground, Kinks), put them through a blender and poured them out into a neat little indie shot glass. Nothing new here…but still quite tasty.
Heart of Nowhere by Noah and the Whale featuring Anna Calvi. The title track from the band’s forthcoming album is lush, idiosyncratic and melodramatic — a perfect blend for a Sunday morning.
Purple Yellow Red and Blue by Portugal. The Man. So damn good. From the band’s new album, Evil Friends.
Ohm (Acoustic - Live) by Yo La Tengo. Ira and Georgia are entrancing live. From the band’s most recent album, Fade.
Song for Zula by Phosphorescent. Matthew Houck (aka Phosphorescent) is back with a new album, Muchacho, affirming his place as one of the most innovative and profound singer-songwriters working today. Filled with rich glorious sounds that will fill your soul with the warmth and radiance of an Alabama spring day.
Step by Vampire Weekend. VW is back with the first single from their forthcoming album, Modern Vampires of the City. Listening to this track is like welcoming an old lover home. Familiar, warm and resplendent with the memories of a life lived together and apart.
Lover’s Revolution by Iron and Wine. The lead single from the band’s forthcoming album, Ghost on Ghost, is a swinging, brass filled affair that takes Sam Beam’s music into a new jazzy/bluesy direction that evokes the stylings of Van Morrison, Tom Waits and even Jethro Tull.
Of Space and Time by City and Colour. The first single from the forthcoming album, Northern Wind, is a hushed waltzing track that features Dallas Green’s soothing soulful vocals, gently strummed acoustic guitar and quietly reassuring percussion.
Evil Friends by Portugal. The Man. The title track from the band’s forthcoming seventh album produced by Danger Mouse. Took a few listens to warm up to it but really digging the unrestrained energy of this song, especially the jump around chorus and the guitar/drum breakout at the 1:13 mark.
