1. Delorean - "Real Love"
In this post-Animal Collective world of ours, the smart Electronic acts recognize real. Delorean may have bit off a few samples here and there from Merriweather throughout Subiza, especially on "Stay Close", but their Summery trance sound is all their own. I mean, is it even possible to NOT love the sped-up vocal sample used as the main melody in "Real Love"?
2. Washed Out - "You And I"
OMGZ MAH DUDE, CHILLWAVE! I can't say that I approve of all these useless subgenres, but at least this one, Chillwave, is ultra specific: lo-fi electronica that sounds like it's being played back through the tape deck of an 80's Oldsmobile. "You And I" is pretty trippy. It sounds like a sophisticated response to Neon Indian, however, the female harmonies / rapping? toward the end give it a quality similar to early Enigma. . .if anyone even remembers Enigma.
3. Four Tet - "She Just Likes To Fight"
Don't know who she is, don't care. You could place any track from There is Love in You on this list and it would be fine. But the album's standout, "She Just Likes To Fight", summarizes everything that There Is Love In You set out to accomplish. It's ambient, repetitive in that good way only techno can be, and despite that it's made entirely of samples, it builds organically. There's an odd human-like quality to this computerized muzak. Kraftwerk would be proud.
4. Caribou - "Odessa"
This is probably the darkest dance song you'll ever hear from a dude with a doctorate in mathematics; it's also one of the catchiest. While "Odessa" lays all of its cards out pretty early, it's got a real good fucking hand.
5. Salem - "King Night"
This song is fucking creepy. Scary, even. I don't know whether it's the "I LOVE YOU" sample at the beginning, or that the song is more or less a Gothic/Southern Rap-infused take on "Oh, Holy Night". . . I will say this, though, Scott Walker should take note of Salem if he ever decides to follow-up The Drift. These guys do the whole dark thing pretty well.
6. Panda Bear - "Slow Motion"
It's Panda Bear. More reverb. Unintelligible lyrics. Off the wall sound structure. An addictive quality to it that you can't quite understand. Yep, it's Panda Bear. While the single, "Tomboy", disappointed me, it's hard to find fault with "Slow Motion". Now if he would just release the damn LP already. . .
7. Crystal Castles - "Not In Love"
Will an Alice Glass love song ever be normal? I was leaning more towards "Violent Dreams" for this list, but "Not In Love" is a track that just doesn't get a lot of attention. And for some reason it's my favorite song off the album, so go figure.
8. Teengirl Fantasy - "Cheaters"
I fell in love with this the moment I heard it. It reminds me an electronica/soul-tinged version of Hercules and Love Affair. My only gripe is that the way the samples are structured makes the whole thing kinda sound like a mash-up. But aside from that, it's pretty damn good.
Okie doke guys, I know I'm probably forgetting/missing a TON of stuff, but these are the songs that immediately came to mind. If I remember any others I'll be sure to add them. I think I'll be doing this for a few other genres, or maybe just a "BEST NEW MUSIC" thing, ala Pitchfork. I know the year isn't over yet, but if you've looked at the upcoming releases, it might as well be. Anyway, feel free to list your favorites in the comments!
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