Jeff’s Top Ten: Summer Jams
Jeff Lawton // April 29, 2012
Top Ten Summer Jams for 2012
1. Death Grips – “I’ve Seen Footage”
Death Grips is an intriguing mix of rap and punk, and it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. “I’ve Seen Footage”, with its gruff vocals and in-your-face sonics, could easily replace “Whoomp There It Is” at house parties. (People still play “Whoomp There It Is” at parties, right?)
2. Chromatics – “Kill for Love”
Because Chromatics specializes in the dreamiest of dream-pop, one would think of “Kill for Love” as prime bedroom music. However, the song’s propulsive nature (and its resemblance to the still-fresh Drive soundtrack) might make it more appropriate for a night drive with windows down. Either way, it’s gold.
3. Torche – “Kicking”
“Kicking”, by the pop-metal outfit Torche, is aggressive in the most melodic way possible. The song’s obvious debt to The Color and the Shape-era Foo Fighters might sound off bro-rock alarms for some people, but I think it’s too much fun to dismiss.
4. Danny Brown – “Grown Up”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfQX9jXgkRA
Danny Brown can get really gnarly with his lyrics, but “Grown Up” (or at least this censored version) tones things down to a tolerable level. Otherwise, its nostalgic and playful beat makes for a perfect way to start your day.
5. AlunaGeorge – “You Know You Like It”
Although AlunaGeorge’s “You Know You Like It” was released last summer, it really wasn’t discovered (ok, by Pitchfork) until this year. Still, it’s a classic kind of RnB (not unlike, say, Brandy), and it definitely deserves to be a major pre-drinks jam for this year.
6. Santigold – “Disparate Youth”
Santigold often gets pegged with MIA comparisons, but not unfairly so; she has a dead ringer voice and uses the same producers. With MIA’s cool-factor at an all-time low, however, a song such as “Disparate Youth”, with its rapid synths and haywire guitar lines, is a much-welcomed replacement.
7. Japandroids – “The House That Heaven Built”
If you were lucky enough to catch Japandroids the last two times they were in town, then you saw an especially exciting punk band at their peak powers. Songs such as “The House That Heaven Built” aren’t fussy. This is just fun, anthemic rock about youth and girls and bullshit.
8. Sleigh Bells – “Comeback Kid”
Sure, there isn’t much substance Sleigh Bells, but sometimes it’s fun to listen to fluff. Anyone who’s grown up playing video games and watching Saturday morning cartoons (which is a good percentage of us) can appreciate the appeal. “Comeback Kid” is melodic, hyper and super-loud, or in other words, the musical equivalent to cotton candy.
9. Alabama Shakes – “Hold On”
I usually resist songs like “Hold On”. We’ve heard enough fun-lovin’, bluesy country-rock (ahem, Kings of Leon), and Alabama Shakes doesn’t offer much different, aside from the appealing creak of singer, Brittany Howard. But hey, I’m not made of stone; I know a shit-kicking good time when I hear it, and “Hold On” delivers.
10. Beach House – “Myth”
Like Chromatics, Beach House is pop music that is perfect for night driving. But where “Kill for Love” has the ability to get your blood flowing, “Myth” (and its accompanying album, Bloom) is more suited for the comedown. You end your nights with this.
