Music

TRENDING: 9 must-listen songs for the week of November 28th

by Chris Budd

Check out our “Trending” Playlist for this week. Put on the player and read a bit about each song below.

1. “Lions” by Coasts

London via Bristol band Coasts are riding pretty high right now. With announcements of tour dates at 2015’s Coachella and Lollapalooza, plus a recent incredible endorsement from BBC’s Zane Lowe, the band have stepped up to the buzz by releasing a fourth and final track from their upcoming A Rush Of Blood EP called “Lions.” Out December 1st, the band says the EP is a “collection of songs that helps to shed more light on what we are about as a band, offering up a few different elements that people have potentially not seen yet. We’ve experimented quite a bit with structure and different genres of music and so it’s a body of work that we’re really proud of and can’t wait for people to hear.”

2. “Karaoke” by Smallpools

Everyone loves karaoke right? LA four-piece Smallpools are following up their successful single “Dreaming” with an infectiously catchy single “Karaoke,” echoing “Take me out and we’ll Kar-e-o-kay, tonight we’ll feel famous, don’t we” in the chorus. The band are currently wrapping up a tour with a few of my favourite bands (Magic Man, Panama Wedding), prepping for the release of their debut album.

3. “Straight Up” by Wildcat! Wildcat! (Paula Abdul Cover)

I’ll admit, I chose this one on a whim. I always like to include a cover, especially if its coming out of left field. A staple at Wildcat! Wildcat!’s live show, the band put a dreamy synth pop spin on an ’88 pop classic. I might actually prefer this cover to the original.

4. “Straight” by A Place To Bury Strangers

Even though this track name shares similarity to the one before it, you’ll notice it’s sound is the exact opposite. In February of next year, Dead Oceans will release A Place To Bury Strangers‘ highly anticipated new album “Transfixiation” and this track is its lead single.

5. “Around” by WATERBED

I did a double take when I got a press release this week referencing the LA band MVSCLES. What did happen to that band? Well, now they’re called WATERBED and “Around” is their first foot back into the game. What a way to come back too. Grimes fans, check out this synth-heavy pop song.

6. “We Moved” (Feat. Benja) by j.viewz

I remember reading about the ambitious DNA Project from Brooklyn artist Jonathan Dagan (aka J.viewz) a while back, and today I got to hear a song from it. Funded by a successful Kickstarter, the project plans to empower the collaborative process by engaging fans and artists to submit content and help construct his next album.

7. “Worry” by Jack Garratt

Fans of Sam Smith, Jai Paul, and James Blake: Put London artist Jack Garratt on your radar. I heard this track on a friend’s blog the other day it’s been playing constantly since. That groove. That vocal. Look for the song off Garratt’s 4-track EP, “Remnants,” released earlier this year.

8. “Please Don’t” by Leo Stannard

I love great guitar work, that’s probably why I’m stuck on Leo Stannard’s “Please Don’t” off his Notions EP, which follows the success of previous (and equally strong) single “Why Don’t We.” Also, did I mention that this guy is only 19? Impressive.

9. “Take My Side” by Will Butler

I haven’t been the best Arcade Fire fan lately, as their latest album never really hit me like they normally do. I was interested to hear that Will Butler was putting out a solo debut album called “Policy” (out March 10th on Merge). Our first listen is in “Take My Side,” a throwback rock n’ roll stomper with gritty guitars and a thumping rhythm. Take a listen.