Fresh New Music – Week of July 19th

The dog days of summer are here, and the time is right for uptempo jams get you out of your seat and moving to the music to carry you through to the weekends. This week Spotify has got you hooked up, with appearances by Five Seconds of Summer, Tame Impala, and Carly Rae Jepsen.

The work week is hard enough without good music; make it easier on yourself and head over to Spotify to check out this week’s entire list of the latest and greatest.

10. Those Who Know Know Who by Public Enemy

It’s a new sound blasting out of your speakers, significantly different than the legendary Fight The Power and Shut ‘Em Down style Public Enemy is known for. Heavy on the DJ’s turntables, Those Who Know Know Who is even more amped up than Flava Flav could do on his own, creating an entirely new appeal. The best part? Chuck D’s anger still shines clearly through.

9. Elevator Operator – Jim Eno Sessions – Courtney Barnett

If you’re late to the introduction of Australian all-star Courtney Barnett, her recent Spotify Session is a great place to become familiar. Elevator Operator plays out like a raucous good time, while narrating the dull and morose existence of a wannabe elevator operator, a simple man who eats his breakfast on the run while dusting Vegemite crumbs off himself. Not impressed yet? Have a listen for yourself, her storytelling capabilities are second to none.

8. #Sundayfunday by Magic!

Showing no signs of stopping since last summer’s I Will Follow You Everywhere anthem,’Rude,’ Magic! is back professing musical love to everybody’s favorite day/time of the week, Sunday afternoon. Showing there’s no shame in using a hashtag in a song title (let them wait until they’re older to regret it) #SundayFunday feels like what might have been if 90s icon Sublime turned left towards pop/reggae/rock, instead of veering right towards punk/reggae/rock. Set as the song for your Sunday morning alarm.

7. Happy Song by Bring Me The Horizon

Beautifully showing that pop music isn’t the only genre that can convey happiness, Happy Song comes out of the gate extra loud and hard, the latest from the band straight outta Sheffield. Urging you to sing a long, with a chorus of cheerleaders spelling out SPIRIT, Happy Song highlights the band’s easy grasp of stylistic creativity. Bobby McFerrin they are not.

6. West Coast by FIDLAR

The soundtrack to ‘School’s Out For Summer,’ West Coast plays out like a twitter feed of a SoCal teenager with a case of serious spring fever, waiting for the last day of school. A foursome based out of LA, the band is known for their unstoppable energy and humorous approach to music and life (for further evidence see the video for 40 oz. on repeat, which any self respecting music video lover should appreciate). Too, their 2nd official studio album, will be out September 4th.

5. Thunderhearts by Cold War Kids

Winning the award for Most Clear Cut EP description, Cold War Kids are treating fans to five new songs, concluding with a bang with Thunderhearts. Led by ‘you could pick out that voice anywhere’ Nathan Willet, Cold War Kids are back with belted out lyrics that repeat themselves, one would presume, so that you can concentrate on dance moves rather than remembering the lines to the song.

4. Wasn’t Expecting That by Jamie Lawson

What can only be described as ‘beautiful’ in its heart and simplicity, Wasn’t Expecting That was originally released in 2011, but after massive popularity in its release in Ireland is out for a second time. Lawson, now under Ed Sheeran’s tutelage, signed to Sheeran’s personal label, Gingerbread, and thought it would be a good idea to re-release as new freshness for the rest of the world to hear. Well played Mr. Lawson.

3. Phone In A Pool by Ben Folds

It’s been seven long years since music fans heard any new material from Mr. Folds, and one can only wonder what he’s been up to. Well, as he explains, what’s good for the music hasn’t always been so good for the life; there’s been some mischief, and, it seems, he is in need of a new phone. It’s a return to his classic piano driven, exceedingly entertaining style of Ben Fold that we’ve come to know him and recognize him by.

2. Stockholm by Atlas Genius

File these guys under having been around awhile, and carry a massive amount of potential with each additional release. Best known for their 2013 hit Trojans, Stockholm is the band’s second release this year, a follow up to the slightly more accelerated Molecules. Stockholm is a perfect blend of get you moving without being too jarring, perfect for driving into the sunlight on your morning commute.

1. Clap Snap by Icona Pop

It’s a rare and very powerful ability to get you excited about a song in the matter of a few seconds, that Icona Pop possesses and uses consistently to their favor. Throw in a pinch of lyrics to a classic 60s song everybody knows, a fast pace for you to clap and snap to, and you’ve got trouble on your hands. While the duo has officially released First Time, also worth a listen to, as the next single from their EP Emergency, Clap Snap is the go to song when you want to get all riled up.