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PHOENIX – RUN RUN RUN

Phoenix is one of the most underrated bands in my opinion. This French band has a sound that can appeal to almost anyone. They often mix instrumentation that crosses over different genres of music. For example in “Run Run Run” the song starts out with acoustic guitar, and then quickly introduces synths and rock drums, and the vocals are always pleasant and catchy. Phoenix has a huge catalog of hits and I love that most of their music is up-tempo and fun. My fiance and I saw them headline Coachella in 2013. It was an amazing experience. We had VIP access and watched their set from right up front. 

DAN CROLL – FROM NOWHERE

“From Nowhere” is Dan Croll’s debut single from 2012. It’s a bouncy indie-pop track with a heavy distorted guitar that comes in hard on the chorus. Don’t blame yourself if you hit repeat on this one before moving on to the next playlist track.

KNOX FORTUNE – GEMINI

Knox Fortune has a very unique sound. It’s a mix between electro-pop, hip-hop, and indie. His vocals are one of a kind as well. This song comes off his 2020 album Stock Child Wonder. Bounce around to this one, and check out the entire album as well. 

SOFI ft. MISS WORLD and PEANUT BUTTER WOLF – MELODY

I don’t know much about this song, but it puts me in a 1970’s disco mood. I was obsessed with this song from the moment I heard it. Catchy sing-along hook, funky drums, choppy piano and synths, make this a jam. I’m not sure what legendary hip-hop producer Peanut Butter Wolf had to do with this track, but it’s awesome. Get ready to turn the strobe lights on and get down to this one. 

DJANGO DJANGO – DEFAULT

I’ve been listening to Django Django for years. I first heard this song on XM Radio’s XMU channel. This quartet out of Britain has always reminded me of a modern day Simon and Garfunkel. The harmonizing vocals and simple arrangements are so pleasing to the ear. This track is from their 2012 self-titled album. It was recorded in a bedroom with a guitar, microphone, and a 4-track recorder. The drum sounds were made using boxes and items found around the room. I highly suggest checking out this entire album. 

NEIL FRANCIS – MUSIC SOUNDS BETTER WITH YOU

This is a great cover of a song originally by the band Stardust. The original has a real Daft Punk vibe to it, and this stripped down version is really pleasant. 

JUSTICE – PHANTOM PT.II

I love Justice. This is electronic music at it’s best. A lot of electronic music is just the same thumping drum beat over and over again. Justice are true songwriters and musicians. “Phantom” is one of my favorite tracks from their amazing first album Cross. It’s hard to choose just one track from that album to spotlight. Go listen to it. It’s a must listen for all fans of music. 

GLASS ANIMALS – HEAT WAVE

I just got hip to Glass Animals, which is basically Dave Bayley who writes, sings, and produces all Glass Animal tracks. What I like about this track is it’s an emo hip-hop beat with pop-vocals instead of emo-rap. When the beat first comes on you expect Juice WRLD’s vocals. I’m looking forward to digging deeper into the Glass Animals discography. 

YEASAYER – AMBLING ALP

Yeasayer is a (now split up) rock trio from New York. This is another song that has been on playlists of mine for years. I remember this track used to come on the Nordstrom playlist all the time when I worked there. Nordstrom lightweight had really good musical taste. 

T-PAIN – CHOPPED AND SCREWED

Say what you want, but I love the use of auto-tune in hip-hop. It gets a bad wrap for trying to cover up singers who aren’t actually that good. But I see it as an instrument. And it’s definitely used as an instrument to its fullest on this track. Jump in your time machine and transport yourself back to the late 2000’s with this one. LUDA!