Here are some of the top tracks scavenged from indie music blogs that are universally appealing. Most of these artists formed only in the past five years so they bring a fresh perspective to the music scene and express their various inspirations from 70s, 80s and 90s music with which they grew up.
Beach House –– “Norway”
The dream pop duo’s third album Teen Dream dropped at the beginning of this year. The band’s inspiration stems from bands like The Zombies, Neil Young and Grizzly Bear. The leading track, “Norway”, exemplifies beautifully Nico-like vocals and hazy guitar as key elements to the band’s sound.
Gayngs –– “Faded High”
The 12+ member band is a collaboration of artists from other indie bands such as Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon. Their debut album Relayted came out this fall. While the majority of this album contains slow jams and soft rock inspired by the 70s, “Faded High” stands out as a fast, New Wave interlude.
Twin Sister –– “Lady Daydream”
The Brooklyn band’s sophomore album Color Your Life is full of beautiful, romantic vocals and lushly played guitar. During the leading track, “Lady Daydream”, the lead singer’s breathy voice purposefully mispronounces words in a manner that enchants the lyrics.
Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti –– “Round and Round”
Known as the father of chillwave, a genre influenced by 80s/90s AM radio, Ariel Pink has been recording songs in his home since the 90s. Although the majority of his songs are bizarrely entertaining, “Round and Round”, off the album Before Today, places you on the dance floor of Studio 54 at its height in the 70s.
Gold Panda –– “You”
The London producer’s first full-length album Lucky Shiner demonstrates his love of repetitive and fragmented vocals over looped drum sequences. The simplicity of the lyrics in “You” shows his ability to bring such diversity to unassuming elements.
Warpaint –– “Billie Holiday”
The all girl Los Angeles band has been playing the same five songs for the past five years. Their first full length album The Fool comes out at the end of October. “Billie Holiday” exhibits the gorgeously harmonious vocals and soft, psychedelic guitar rhythm.
Best Coast –– “Our Deal”
Although their album Crazy For You is an excellent summer album, it can be listened to in any season because of its universal lyrics such as, “I wish you were my boyfriend,” and “I wish he was you.” Their sound is most conspicuously influenced by surf rock and beach pop of the 60s. In “Our Deal”, she sings about a friends with benefits relationship and its limitations–a theme to which college kids can relate.
Toro Y Moi –– “Talamak”
A part of the chillwave movement that exploded two summers ago, the South Carolinian solo artist creates textured beats through layered synths over his own vocals. Off the album Causers of This, “Talamak” reveals the influence of hip-hop and funk with a lo-fi rhythm consistent throughout the album.
