Hello again, long-lost pen-pals!

I could sit around and make loads of excuses for why this new mix took so long to find you, but that would just be sad. And frankly, I’d rather focus on the music. We’ve got a more adventurous mix this time, starting with roots in the oldies of the previous mix and exploding into a fit of awesomeness. I was fortunate enough to see several of the bands recently, and not a single one disappointed. Have you been to a show lately? It’s probably time :)

<3 / ∑>

1. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. - “Vocal Chords”

Despite one of the most questionable names in recent memory, these guys have been my obsession of late. They only have an EP out, but every second of it is sheer brilliance. Can’t wait for more.

2. Teddybears - “Cardiac Arrest”

I hadn’t heard of Teddybears til recently, but they’re my go-to uptempo music right now.

3. GOBBLE GOBBLE - “Wrinklecarver”

I caught GOBBLE GOBBLE last Thursday and holy wow. I have never experienced a show like that. They have the hipster dance party nailed to epic levels, and there are fairies and glow sticks and tarps and pots and pans and a whole lot of questionably-ironic mustaches. And it all comes together in a thoroughly enjoyable orchestration of music and dance.

4. The Like - “He’s Not A Boy”

The Like added a member between the last record and the new one and suddenly HOLY CRAP THEY’RE AWESOME. I want to go to a high school dance just to dance to this song.

5. Fitz & The Tantrums - “MoneyGrabber”

I’ve been a big fan of Fitz since the beginning, but I am now more convinced than ever that they are going to be huge. I saw them live two weeks ago and I can’t even put into words how professional yet endearing it was. As my friend (who had never heard of them) said incredulously “There’s no way they’ve only been around a year! They’re playing these tracks like they’re standards!”

6. Jukebox The Ghost - “Empire”

I’ve seen several overwhelmingly positive reviews of the new record from this DC band, but have yet to happen upon a copy for myself. If this track is any indication, it stands to more than live up to their fantastic 2008 debut.

7. A Lull - “Weapons For War”

Chicago’s A Lull are a mysterious bunch, but the sextet promises an LP, Confetti, later this year. I can hardly wait.

8. Mates of State - “Laura”

Mates of State latched onto the cover song trend and turned in a full-length effort comprised entirely of covers. Luckily they’re all pretty good, including this cover of Girls’s hit “Laura.”

9. Best Coast - “Boyfriend”

Won’t get out of my head. No matter how hard I try. Which isn’t very hard because it’s awesome.

10. Faded Paper Figures - “Invent It All Again”

Faded Paper Figures fit right into the Postal Service niche, but with a bit of extra nerdy charm. I caught them live a few weeks ago and came away rather impressed. 

11. Anni Rossi - “Crushing Limbs”

Chicago seems to be adding some talent to the mix these days, and you can add Anni Rossi to that group. The multi-instrumentalist recorded her debut LP, Rockwell, with Steve Albini in a single day. Impressive.

12. Elsinore - “Yes Yes Yes (Eric Enger Remix)”

Yet another Illinois export, Elsinore have been around for several years, but keep getting better with age. This track is arguably their best to date, and the remix just kicks up the party vibe a little more. 

13. Kings Go Forth - “One Fine Day”

Kings Go Forth bassist Andy Noble owned a record store in my home town of Milwaukee specializing in rare soul records, but he shut it down to pursue a career in creating new songs that sounded like those records. He and the nine other members of Kings Go Forth have done a fantastic job of doing so. 

14. Happy Birthday - “Girls FM”

I can’t say I know of any other bands from Brattleboro, VT, but if Happy Birthday are any indication, it sounds like a lovely place.

15. The Crookes - “Backstreet Lovers”

With a new spin on traditional british pop music, The Crookes are winning fans the world over. Including me. Sadly, only folks in the UK have an opportunity to see them this summer.

16. Hesta Prynn - “Pepper”

Everyone’s favorite indie-rapper-turned-uptown-diva Hesta Prynn has outdone herself once again, teaming up with Clown from Slipknot on this cover of Butthole Surfers’ “Pepper.” Not even a month before its release, I was commenting to a friend that this would be one of the toughest songs to pull off an original cover of. I guess Hesta’s just that good.

17. The Books - “Beautiful People”

The Books is one of those bands that’s quietly crept their way up the totem poll to playing rather sizable venues. And rightfully so. Their sound and subject matter are some of the most unique going today that can still be recognized as rock.

18. April Smith and the Great Picture Show - “Colors”

I gave an advance copy of this mix to my friend Mica and all she could talk about the last week was April Smith and the Great Picture Show. They’ve benefitted recently from a song in a Weeds commercial, but they benefit more from April’s incredible voice and an inviting and fun sound.

19. Snowglobe - “Love”

By their own description (I can do no better), “Snowglobe is a rather amorphous, unwieldy group of artists who share a love for all things honest, poppy, and psychedelic. All members to date hail from Memphis, TN, but the music and idea of Snowglobe has its origins in Athens, GA. The group played many of it’s first shows with the artists of the elephant 6 collective, including Of Montreal and Olivia Tremor Control. They have since returned home, and today Snowglobe strives to continue the age old Memphis tradition of playing honest music for the right reasons.” Word.