Half way through the year already so I have now selected 120 songs/tracks to soundtrack 2018 and I will continue to plow through new releases to uncover the best new music. I found the Spotify algorithms were delivering me very predictable suggestions for new releases so I reviewed and unfollowed a few hundred bands trying to mix it up.
Confident Music For Confident People
1) Out the Window by Confidence Man
This is a storming tune - sounds like Primal Scream circa 1991 meets the Polyphonic Spree.
2) Anything U Want by Needshes
Indie disco track hailing from Tashkent, Uzbeckistan.
3) Your Love Is My Favourite Band by The Vaccines
Another great tune from the London band. Love a song that mentions listening to the chart countdown. Takes me back to the 80's with my tape recorder and finger hovering over the pause button.
This Detroit band take things in a more relaxed direction.
5) Walking To Oman's by Fraser A. Gorman
Australian musician has just released this beautiful downbeat track ahead of a new album.
6) Far Away Truth by Albert Hammond Jr.
Whilst The Strokes are on hiatus we still have Albert Hammond Jr. releasing music of a very similar nature.
7) Little Dark Age (Ghost Vision Remix) by MGMT
A remix of the title track of MGMT's last album. I'm trying to find out who is behind this remix and it appears they might be related to UK duo Psychemagik and I will be delving deeper into their music.
8) Star Treatment by Arctic Monkeys
This new album has divided and alienated their fans. I personally love it as Alex Turner is surely the best lyricists of his generation and he fills the whole album with his wordplay delivered via a trans-Atlantic lounge lizard crooner character. Welcome to Smoothcore.
9) Cactus by Teleman
The definitive song about finding freedom via cactus impalement. Don't try this at home indie kids.
10) Bells & Circles by Underworld & Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop rants like a madman about the golden age of air travel when he could smoke on planes and pull air hostesses over an pounding Underworld track.
11) Contradiction by Alborosie ft. Chronix
Chronix appeared on three new singles this week collaborating with Alborosie, Richie Spice and Protoje - popular guy.
12) Dare (Friction Remix) by Gorillaz
This month I have been mostly enjoying drum n bass artist Friction. Gorillaz have also just returned with a new song this month.
13) Break Me by DMA's
Time to chillax again. Sydney's Madchester wannabes offer such an opportunity with some retro shoegazing music.
14) Sweet Release by The Coral
Merseyside rockers are currently touring with the Manics and although they vanished from my radar fifteen years ago they have actually been releasing albums all the time - to my total ignorance.
15) Smack My Pitch Up by The Traffic
I do not know who this band are but they play a great instrumental version of The Prodigy tune.
16) Tracks (Back To You) by Bootleg Rascals
Australian group who describe themselves as "Taco slinging dub warriors".
17) Younger by The Hails
Smooth grooves and indie rock from this band from Florida.
18) Never Start by Middle Kids
Sydney trio who have just released their debut album on the Domino label.
19) Easy Jesus by Naive Set
Guitar indie pop from Amsterdam.
20) The Perfect Life Does Not Exist by Ball Park Music
Playing out this month are Ball Park Music with yet another great song lifted from their Good Mood album.