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Well hey there, everyone! Back with another installment of the mixtape. Came together a bit faster this go-round. Sadly a lack of old tunes, but we’ll get back to those next month — too much goodness in the indie/pop world these days.

I’m also a bit sad to say that since I assembled this playlist in Spotify (because they let me keep it private from my friends til I’m ready to publish), I didn’t realize some of the tracks weren’t on Rdio (the converse has happened in past months, but I’ve corrected before the mix was “done”). Sorry homies!

In other news, I’m off for Buenos Aires and Sao Paolo in a couple hours. No idea what to expect. Haven’t packed yet. Just locked in a place to stay in BA, still don’t have a visa (required) to go to Brazil. It’s going to be an adventure.

Catch y’all on the flipside!

<3 | ∑>

1. Chairlift - “Sidewalk Safari”

After a spurt of success with a ridiculously catchy song in “Bruises,” which famously made its way to an iPod commercial, Chairlift is back with a pair of singles in anticipation of their sophomore record. Good luck getting them out of your head.

2. Wise Blood - “Loud Mouths”

While I know Wise Blood isn’t for everyone, these brits remind me of a conversation I had in college with Andy Hull from Manchester Orchestra where he described the moment he knew he wanted to be a musician as the first time he felt evil and like he wasn’t supposed to be experiencing what he was (at a show). There’s something beautifully twisted here without losing pop sensibilities.

3. Friends - “I’m His Girl”

I’ll admit, I had most of this mixtape made and waiting for this track to come out officially. Cannot get it out of my head. It’s got all the best elements of the past five decades of music put together in the simplest form possible. Awesome.

4. Young Buffalo - “Catapilah”

This song makes me want to run. That is all.

5. Gringo Star - “Got It”

Dirty rock from the dirty south, but more than a little catchy. I was singing this song all day after I heard it the first time on The Hype Machine’s premiere. Then I saw them live a few weeks back, and they didn’t disappoint.

6. Ten Bears - “Braces”

This song came out last year, but it could have come out any day since the early nineties and still been relevant. You can’t deny that hook.

7. Dominant Legs - “Hoop Of Love”

As promised last mixtape, here is the first (and I think best) single from this SF band’s excellent latest album, Invitation. Check a beautiful interview and live performance of another great track here.

8. Lana Del Rey - “Video Games”

Most of you have probably heard this song by now, but I doubt any of you hate it. Say what you will, this is an absolute jam.

9. Twin Sister - “Bad Street”

This Philly band has been dominating the east coast scene for a bit (just ask homie Yvynyl), but their latest record is full of gems. If you get a chance to see them live, don’t you dare miss it.

10. Lord Huron - “The Stranger” (not on Rdio)

This band seems to get better by the month, so don’t pass all judgement if this track isn’t quite perfect for you (though I insist it’s quite good).

11. Monogold - “Spirit or Something” (not on Rdio)

I’m not really sure how to describe where the influences for this track or band (from Brooklyn, considering themselves DIY experimentalists) come from, but they sure come together nicely.

12. White Denim - “Handwriting”

After a couple straight up psych-country-rock albums true to their Austin roots, White Denim have begun experimenting with several different song styles with a great deal of success. They’ve blown my ear drums for days at multiple shows, so this may be the calmest song they’ve written, but I absolutely love it.

13. Fruit Bats - “So Long”

I’m not as die-hard about Fruit Bats as many folks I know, but it’s tough to deny their songwriting ability, and their latest record, Tripper, is excellent proof of that.

14. Cast Spells - “Glamorous Glowing”

This was the last addition to this mix, but one of the first to be released (in 2009). The front man from Maps & Atlasses struck out on his own for a long EP and a collaboration with Good Old War before going back to M&A, but not before constructing some gems like this one.

15. Rubblebucket - “Came Out Of A Lady”

These guys came highly recommended by my good friend Kramer, who say their epic live show is something of a hippy version of Givers. Very sad to have missed them in SF last week.

16. Pearl and the Beard - “Voice in my Throat”

Sometimes bands just absolutely nail their strengths. In this case, Pearl and the Beard weave their voices together to tell parallel but intertwining stories for the duration of the song, creating a playful intimacy that can only be described as adorable.

17. Feist - “How Come You Never Go There”

I listened to most of the new Feist album nonplussed — nice, but nothing new. Until this song hit. It doesn’t hit you in the ears so much as licking you there, while punching you the stomach.

18. The Antlers - “Putting The Dog To Sleep”

I don’t know that I’ve ever heard a better use of guitar cuts to stab vocal tension, nor one that can be repeated for so long without losing its impact. As the lyrics suggest, this one doesn’t go down easy — it demands your attention and sympathy.