Greetings lovers!

I’m back with another mixtape, ripe with my latest favorites. I’ve been running to work with this mix for the past couple weeks, and it works well for me — energetic to kick-start my day, then easing into a rhythm, then becoming more soothing. Then a slow motion disco. Or something. You’ll just have to figure that out for yourself.

I’ve also been blogging about more music industry related things over here of late, so if that tickles your fancy, by all means check it out :)

As always, please feel free to email me with any feedback!

<3 / ∑>

1. The Like - “Wishing He Was Dead”

I was a bit hesitant about The Like at first because they seemed too perfect — beautiful girls playing 60s-style pop jams with just a little punk edge. Turns out they are, in fact, pretty darn near perfect, both on record and live. I had the privilege of seeing them a couple weeks ago and I think everyone in the audience was flat out stunned.

2. Jake Troth - “Material Things”

I was going to post this track regardless, but then I discovered that Jake is from the small town in North Carolina where I went to college (though you’d never imagine it from his music). Regardless of where he lives, he’s got hooks for miles.

3. Blackalicious - “Deception”

I was reminded of this classic by a tweet from Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. a few weeks back. All too often overlooked in the greatest rap songs of all time charts, it’s the classic tale of the rise and fall of a rap star.

4. Teddybears - “Get Mama A House (feat. Desmond Forster)”

Teddybears might be a bit of a guilty pleasure, but I’m okay with that — their goofy lyrics and bangin beats make for a damn fine dance party.

5. Eddie Holland - “Leaving Here”

Eddie Holland spent a good portion of his Motown career behind the scenes (as the team’s lyricist) due to stagefright. Luckily he snuck out from behind the curtain on occasion to make jams of his own like this plea to get men to treat their women better.

6. Young Man - “Home Alone”

Young Man finds a glorious and beautiful space somewhere between Freelance Whales, Avi Buffalo, and Here We Go Magic. Their debut release, Boy, is full of sprawling melodies and harmonies, and “Home Alone” is no exception.

7. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. - “Simple Girl”

I had never loved every minute of an EP so completely prior to DEJJ’s Horse Power EP. Turns out they back it up live, as they happily proved recently to crowds on the west coast as part of The Rumble tour. While they might have you believe their sounds are highly computerized, the show is alarmingly organic, with rich harmonies, spot-on whistling, and an American flag made out of Christmas lights.

8. IDRchitecture - “(Sign of the Fish)”

IDRchitecture are like a brit-pop version of American band Why?. They rhyme in complex sentences over indie rock. And I love them for it.

9. The Young Veins - “Take a Vacation!”

The Young Veins are the second example of members of a Decaydance (Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz’s label) emo band growing up and playing legitimately good pop (the other being This Is Ivy League) — the members are from Panic! At The Disco (whose second album, Pretty Odd, started to point in this direction).

10. Buried Beds - “Ivory Towers”

I’m sure Yvynyl will appreciate more love for the Philly scene — Buried Beds have been killing it out there for the better part of a decade. It’s a marvel they haven’t grown much larger. I also love the quote on their MySpace: “On their sophomore album “Tremble the Sails”, Buried Beds trades delicate banjos for dualing guitars to create a landscape where love, death and your future-self throw a party.”

11. Wildbirds & Peacedrums - “The Drop”

I’m constantly amazed at the sheer force that comes from such a simple setup of two people. Just, wow.

12. Absofacto - “No Power”

Absofacto is the alter ego of Mason Proper’s Jonathan Visger. He’s been pretty consistent about posting one great song a month for the last year (twenty since beginning the project), and you can get them all for pay what you want. I ordered a poster and got it very promptly and with a smile.

13. Young Rebel Set - “If I Was”

Like a softer, sweeter version of Frightened Rabbit, Young Rebel Set charm their way into your heart. It can be a bit cheesy at moments, but in the end I’ll chalk it up as too cute to pass up.

14. Born Ruffians - “Sole Brother”

One of my big regrets from SXSW last year was going back to my hotel to drop my backpack and some food while my friends caught a Born Ruffians show. Tragedy.

15. Cloud Control - “This Is What I Said”

I posted “Gold Canary” by these Aussies a few months ago (it remains a favorite), and am delighted to follow it up with this jam. Man, I wish this record would come out in the US already!

16. Dominant Legs - “Clawing Out at the Walls”

Labelmate of Neon Indian, Dominant Legs have emerged with a debut album, Young at Love and Life, that creates magical tensions between soothing instrumentation and a nervous voice and chord progression. 

17. Dan Black - “Symphonies”

Dan Black feels a little bit sleazy at times, but it’s somehow still very much worth grooving to.

18. Mystery Jets - “Flash A Hungry Smile”

Mystery Jets are the biggest band in the UK that you’ve never heard of. They, very appropriately, opened for Arctic Monkeys in a jaunt around Europe early this year, and have since embarked on their own headlining tour.

19. The Goodnight Loving - “The Pan”

The Goodnight Loving bring us properly back to where we began — both the mixtape (modern take on the 60s), and my life (Milwaukee). Glorious.