"so ride the key wherever it goes, i'll be the one that can't"
the war on drugs
red eyes
Ranking: 50
Released: 03/05/2014
Last.fm plays: 9
Location: USA
*****
*****
The War on Drugs received a lot of hype and praise in 2014 for their new album Lost in the Dream. While I wasn't able to really connect too much with the entire album, the second track on the album, and the first release, "Red Eyes", stood out so much to me. This just feels like classic Springsteen rock that is so fun to bounce around to even though it sounds a bit darker and sad. The first instrumental guitar break is one of the best, right up there with the great stuff from Arcade Fire. Perhaps in the future I'll be able to love the entire album like I do this track.
"if you love me right, we f*** for life, on and on and on"
tove lo
talking body
Ranking: 49
Released: 10/05/2014
Last.fm Plays: 12
Location: Sweden
*****
*****
The latest in a string of "major label indie" singers (LDR, fun, Lorde), Tove Lo is destined to be the next great Swedish pop star in America. Swedes have always brought a unique perspective to American pop, but Tove is not like Abba, Robyn, and Lykke Li in that she is much more comfortable adapting into the American formula. She still has some odd lyrical arrangements that you wouldn't see from an American writer, but her music is so slick and glam, even when she tries to be rough and alternative. In a way, she's like Jessie J, giving up her home country's influences for a bigger career in America. The good thing for Tove is that her music is pretty good and catchy, unlike Jessie.
Ranking: 48
Released: 06/06/2014
Last.fm Plays: 6
Location: UK
*****
*****
I absolutely love SBTRKT's productions. His music always places me right in the middle of an underground London club where everyone just sits around and bobs their heads back and forth. Just so chill. I loved his work with Roses Gabor, who appeard on my list last year. I've heard so much (feat. Sampha) stuff over the past few years, but when is he going to release his own album? He clearly has the talent for it. But for now, let's just continue to enjoy the amazing collaborations from these two.