Memorial Day Weekend is on the horizon and that sounds like music to all of our ears. Barbecuing, hanging by the pool or on the beach, kicking back at home with friends and family -- whatever you do, we've got a playlist primed and ready to be cued up by you. Let's touch on some of the highlights from this week's Tune-Up.
Glass Animals have returned with a new slickly-produced, catchy and head-bob worthy single, "Life Itself." Like the rest of the songs on this edition of Weekly Tune-Up, it pairs perfectly with warm weather and the finely-wrought chorus will definitely get become stuck in your head. "Life Itself" is the first single off forthcoming LP How to Be a Human Being, due out this summer.
Jessy Lanza is a name you probably aren't familiar with, but should be. She's a Canadian pop star with a freshly released sophomore record Oh No that puts her talents on full display. After a few spins, I was impressed, but though her savvy is undeniable, part of the reason I'm so fond of Oh No is due in part to co-producer Jeremy Greenspan (of Junior Boys). The album is immaculately produced and it comes as no surprise knowing that Greenspan was involved.
I'm a big fan of EL VY, and this new remix from Wye Oak is poolside worthy. It's breezy and the bass line soars over Matt Berninger's deep distinct vocals until around the 2:40 mark, where the remix picks up some horns and loud synthesizers, then comes to an abrupt end. You wouldn't think this type of rework would sound as good as it does, but Wye Oak did good work here.
ISLAND is a four-piece from London and their new single "Spotless Mind" is indie rock at it's best. Throw in some raw, emotional lyrics, add some lovely guitar work, and top it off with a "What If?"-themed chorus, and you'll feel like this song was written for that special someone in your life. What if? A question relevant to almost anyone's life. Nice work, ISLAND.
1. Glass Animals, "Life Itself"
2. Brett, "Immaculate"
3. Exploded View, "Orlando"
4. Car Seat Headrest, "1937 State Park"
5. Jessy Lanza, "Begins"
6. Classixx, "Safe Inside" Feat. Passion Pit
7. Delorean, "Contra"
8. Band of Horses, "In A Drawer"
9. Mind Bath, "Bad Timing"
10. Soren Juul, "Pushing Me Away"
11. Drake, "Feel No Ways"
12. Babeheaven, "Friday Sky"
13. EL VY, "Need a Friend" (Wye Oak Remix)
14. ISLAND, "Spotless Mind"
15. J. Views, "I Follow" Feat. JFDR