The Big Pink - "Stay Gold"

It seems like I've waited forever for a new The Big Pink song. The single "Stay Gold" isn't officially released yet (we have to wait until November 8th) but in the meantime we can watch the video. It's dark and colorful at the same time and the song is energy inducing. It sounds like it was meant to be played loud. Like really loud. Can't wait for them to come to NYC...

Laura Marling - Goodbye England

Not a new song by any means, but just re-appreciating it after seeing Laura Marling at Webster Hall last night. I've always loved this song because it makes me a bit jealous. The affection Marling feels for her homeland is so palpable here. Don't get me wrong, I love my city with all my heart (though it is a bitch when "covered in snow"), but listening to this song I've always felt like the American looking in on something that only true Brits could understand. Marling's performance of this song last night was superb but the thing that was really great about it was her banter beforehand. She talked about how she never feels more English than when she is in New York City and proceeded to tell stories that definitley deserve an "only in New York" tag. "Only in New York" is probably the biggest source of pride I have when it comes to the city I was born in, so it was awesome and generous of Marling to share that with the NYC audience right before singing a song about how much she loves her own country. Granted, this song is about (among other things) how beautiful England is and Marling's NY stories were about homeless women howling in the middle of the street and swinging rats around by the tail...but I guess we'll take what we can get.

Florence + The Machine - Shake It Out

I was not one of those people that was swept away in the whirlwind that was Florence + The Machine's "Dog Days Are Over." It was way too everywhere-you-went and Florence Welch's voice was throaty bordering on annoying. I'm much more attracted to "Shake It Out." With industrial-sounding percussion and more shout-y, less froggy vocals, it's totally more my wheelhouse.

North Highlands - Benefits

It's getting very redundant to write "Brooklyn-based indie band" for just about every song I like, but this one is extra special. North Highlands singer Brenda Melvi's super sweet voice juxtaposed against a relentless, creepy rhythm gives "Benefits" an eerie presence that's hard to stop listening to.

fun. - We Are Young (featuring Janelle Monae)

Oh wow, can't wait for this album but I'm kind of hoping the rest of the songs sound a little bit more fun.-y (is that how I should have written that?)...wrote this one up over at The Wild Honey Pie a few days ago.

fun.: We Are Young ft. Janelle Monáe by Fueled By Ramen

Oberhofer - "Gotta Go"

One of my most prominent and consistent music crushes Oberhofer have a new song, "Gotta Go." It's classic Oberhofer (can you say "classic" about a band that doesn't even have an LP out yet?) which means it features Brad Oberhofer's deep, enunciated vocals, a spastic, driving rhythm, and you will get it stuck in your head immediately.

Oberhofer - "Gotta Go" by infinityyeah

Wild Beasts - "Thankless Thing"

I've been a horrible Wild Beasts fan. I totally dug their last two albums but I haven't even listened to their last release Smother. It's been out for a few months now so I really have no excuse. Their next single off Smother is going to be "Reach A Bit Further" (which I obviously have nothing to say about) and they are releasing "Thankless Thing," the b-side as a free download. This song I have listened to. Tinny, precise guitars that sound almost computerized (but definitely maintain the human factor) and that distinctive, wonderfully unique voice...

Wild Beasts - Thankless Thing by DominoRecordCo

Wavves - "Nodding Off" (featuring Best Coast)

I really really really like Wavves, but his latest EP is kind of lazy. While King of the Beach was an excellent album that showed variety and range, Life Sux doesn't show any kind of growth and is minimal in its originality. These cuts sound like songs that should have never left the studio. However, if there is one thing Nathan Williams knows how to do (besides smoke copious amounts of weed) it's write a catchy song. So "Nodding Off" has been appearing on my iPod playlists more often than it would seem natural, considering my first few sentences in this post. A collaboration with Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast, it's fun to hear their voices weave in and out of harmony together (aww) and it's way better than their last collaboration.

"Grohl" is not that bad either. Looks like I'm conflicted.