Music obsessions #7

Alright, here for another music update. Chris and I are about to head to a wedding on Friday and because my AUX cable is broken in my car (and has been for several years) we either listen to NPR or CDs. Since the wedding is in the Poconos the radio service might not be great, so I'm on a mission for new music and a new CD (we have been listening to the same 1 hour CD for MONTHS), so here is what I've got:

1) George Ezra
Super fun. It's the kind of music that you would listen to while driving with the windows down. I don't know if you know what I'm talking about, but it's not crazy dance music, but it really makes you wanna sway.

Band website

George Ezra is a songwriter from England (you can hear a hint of the accent in his singing). He's had a couple of EPs, but his first full length album was released this month and includes the song Budapest which is predictably my favorite song from the album.

2) Spoon
Alright, who else didn't know Spoon had a new album? I was checking out iTunes top 100 and saw a Spoon song and found their new album. Lots of fun. Typical Spoon album. Mostly upbeat songs which I enjoy.

Band website

Spoon is a 5 person band from Austin, Texas. They fit well into the Rock genre. They have been around since the mid-nineties. Their songs have been used in a ton of T.V. shows and movies. Their new album is called They Want My Soul and honestly I like all of the songs. I'm not sure I can really make a list. Definitely check out the song Do You.

3) Alt-J
All you really need to know is that they are British and indie rock. Need more convincing? They are chill with the right amount of beat to make you wanna dance, but they aren't crazy.

Band website

The band has one album, almost 2. The second album is coming out in late Sept. They do have a single out from their upcoming album called Left Hand Free which is awesome. Be sure to check that one out. Highlights from their first album include: Breezeblocks and Something Good.

4) The Bleachers
Pretty strongly cemented in the alternative genre. This band might not be for everyone, but give them a try even if you just listen to the samples on iTunes. iTunes and I classify them in the alternative category, but I feel it's important to note Wikipedia puts them in indie pop. If you still need convincing they have a song featuring Yoko Ono, so that's gotta at least be worth a try.

Band website

Interesting little factoid the lead guitarist from Fun Jack Antonoff started this band and it is his current project. Which is probably why they only have one album. Highlights include: Wild Heart, I Wanna Get Better, Rollercoaster, Wake Me.

5) O.A.R.
Alright, don't give me shit for revisiting O.A.R. Honestly a lot of bands we used to listen to as teenagers are doing great things now. O.A.R. released a new CD called The Rockville LP. It's actually pretty good. The sound is a lot of the same just better than they used to be.

Band website

These 5 boys have a special place in my heart because they are from Rockville, MD where my best friend grew up and where I went to school from kindergarten through eighth grade. Highlights from their new album are: Peace, Two Hands Up, The Element.

6) Ingrid Michaelson
As I'm writing all of these I probably should have mentioned most of these bands/people are not new discoveries they just have big things happening for them right now. Ingrid Michaelson has a new album. I knew of her single Girls Chase Boys, but had no idea the album had already dropped.  It's called Lights Out. Super cute and feminine. I just love her voice.

Band website

In case you didn't know of this lovely indie pop singer, Ingrid Michaelson is based in NY and has 6 albums. Her latest, Lights out is amazing. Highlights are: Girls Chase Boys, Warpath, One Night Town, Over You.

7) Ed Sheeran
Another English singer/songwriter. He just released his second album. He has pretty slow music as he doesn't usually play with a band it is just him and his acoustic guitar. I will say, he has a song name Nina on his album, so I may be biased toward him.

Band website

I didn't listen to his first album, but after hearing his second it seems like he has his sound down. Highlights of the album X are: Don't, Nina (obviously haha), Runaway.

8) Echosmith:
I hadn't heard of them before and they seemed a little too electronica for my taste at first, but I gave them more of a listen and I think it actually works for them.

Band website

This 4 person band are ALL SIBLINGS (I can't imagine the fights they must have). They are an indie rock band from L.A. They released their first album, Talking Dreams last year and I assume they are going to release a new one. The highlights from that album are: Come Together, Cool Kids, March Into The Sun, Ran Off In The Night.

That's all folks!