Side One Track One

Action Bronson might want to consider changing his name to Mixtape Master.  The guy seems to land on every single hip hop mix that pops up, and I think it’s such a crafty play on his part.  He churns out a song that sounds like whatever he wants, which keeps him versatile, and then other people promote it, which costs him nothing.  Genius.  The New York Renaissance is out this week.  Enjoy.

:Action Bronson – Compliments 2 The Chef:  It was Action Bronson’s name that made me hit play, but Lauriana Mae is why I’m posting the track.  She delivers a slick hook and keeps everything feeling laid back, which is important when you have lyrics like “You can lead a horse to water/But you can’t make him drink it/Two in the pink/Two in the stink” smashed together.

Bonus Video:

SXSW began on Friday, and my original plan was to just put the site on break until it came to an end.   Over the weekend, though, I realized this idea was no fun for those of you not attending the festival, so here’s 10 tracks to listen to while we’re away.  Enjoy.

:The Appleseed Cast – Great Lake Derelict:  The Appleseed Cast are responsible for Low Level Owl, one of my favorite albums of all time, and because of that I’ll always be in their corner.  With that being said, I do legitimately dig this track.  The band will release Illumination Ritual on April 23 via Graveface Records.

:The Laughing – Disappear:  Here’s an Austin act that I’ve really started to pay attention to over the last six months or so.  They’ve got a big, layered pop sound that’s just hooky enough.  The Laughing are set to self release Oscillation at some point during the summer.

:She And Him  – Never Wanted Your Love:  Is anyone else surprised that this duo will be releasing their third full length?  I really thought it was just a “side” thing for the two of them.  In any case, this is another pleasant retro pop tune on their already high pile of pleasant retro pop tunes.  Volume 3 is due May 3 via Merge.

:Fol Chen – IOU:  The first song to be released off of Fol Chen’s new album was a fairly experimental effort that was far from being easily accessible, so I’m happy that this second track is a lot lighter.  You’re going to like it.  The False Alarms is due out March 19 via Asthmatic Kitty.

:Action Bronson – Morey Boogie Boards:  Producer Harry Fraud recently assembled a new mixtape, and this classy Action Bronson track is meant to convince us all to check it out.  I’m certainly in.  Join me, friends.  You can rumble around online and get Adrift now.

:Big Deal – In Your Car:  I really love that this duo continue to show that their next album isn’t going to have the sort of sound that makes you want to sit in a dark room by yourself.  Keep it loud, Big Deal.  June Gloom is expected out June 4 via Mute.

:Thee Oh Sees – Toe Cutter – Thumb Buster:  A week without a new track from Thee Oh Sees would be weird, so here it is.  Personally, I think it’s one of their more playful efforts.  I recommend a high volume.  Floating Coffin is due out April 16 via Castle Face Records.

:Wax Idols – When It Happens:  Can you believe this band is from Oakland?  Listening to this pop tune (that carries a far from sunny sound), I would have certainly guessed the UK.  How odd.  The mighty Slumberland Records will release Discipline & Desire on March 26.

:St Lucia – Before The Dive (Chvrches Remix):  I think we’re almost at that point where anything to do with Chvrches is a guaranteed win.  I mean, just listen to how they really make this electro-pop number bounce.

:Austra – Home:  A number of weeks back I saw this electronic-enthused band open for the XX, and I thought their set had some great moments.  I’m definitely looking forward to their sophomore LP.  Olympia is due June 18 via Domino.

At least if the world ends in a few weeks, you’ll have some good music to go out to.  That’s sort of comforting, yeah?  Anyhow, below you’ll find the fourth part of my Top 50 Songs Of 2012.  In case you’re curious, I chose the songs from the 400+ tracks that I shared around here throughout the last 11 months.  Enjoy.

20)  :MIA – Bad Girls:  This single was supposed to be from a new album, but that has yet to materialize.  Oh well.  For now it simply serves as a nice reminder of how great MIA is when she’s having fun and not taking herself too seriously.

19)  :Action Bronson – A Simple Man:  I had a long list of Action Bronson songs to choose from for this spot, but I went with this one-off single because it’s what originally made me want to champion the guy.  It’s just stellar stuff.

18)  :Sky Ferreira – Everything Is Embarrassing:  I don’t know how many times I listened to this in 2012.  I just couldn’t seem to get it out of the part of my soul that wants to dance in a dark corner somewhere.  From the Ghost EP.

17)  :The Eastern Sea – Wasn’t For Love:  With this song, The Eastern Sea went from just being an Austin favorite of mine to being something much bigger and better.  Glad I hopped on the bandwagon early.  From Plague.

16)  :Dan Friel – Valedictorian:  For those that don’t know, Dan is the former frontman of Parts & Labor.  This song sees him being as noisy and wild as can be, and I’m not sure I’ll ever tire of it.  From Total Folklore (due in 2013).

15)  :Chvrches – The Mother We Share:  I’ve yet to come across anything else from this band, and that’s OK because I’m far from being done with this Purity Ring meets Cults combo of a single.

14)  :Yeasayer – Longevity:  My love for Yeasayer has always been in regards to their live show, so I was a little surprised to find myself so attached to one of their studio tracks.  I greatly dig the off-balance mix here.  From Fragrant World.

13)  :Fiona Apple – Every Single Night:  You have to appreciate that Fiona keeps coming up with ways to stay interesting.  This pop effort pulls no punches.  From The Idler Wheel.

12)  :POS – Fuck Your Stuff:  This is exactly what I always expect POS to deliver – it’s aggressive, playful, and smart.  From We Don’t Even Live Here.

11)  :San Cisco – Awkward:  I love this indie pop tune, but I do have to admit that I’m not so sure a song about stalking should be this enjoyable.  From the Awkward EP.

The SOTO inbox is always full of cool stuff that never gets to see the light of day on the actual site, and I’d like to change that.  So, every Friday I’ll be posting the best album streams and videos that were sent my way during the week.  Take a scroll and find something worth remembering.

FULL ALBUM STREAMS

Action Bronson – Rare Chandeliers
Plateaus – The District
Radical Face – Always Gold
Fort Lean – Change Your Name
IO Echo – Ministry Of Love
Lilac – No Exit
Sufjan Stevens – Silver & Gold: Songs For Christmas – Volumes 6-10
Bjork – Bastards

VIDEOS

Earlier this year Black Bananas released Rad Times Xpress IV.

Menahan Street Band’s The Crossing is currently available.

Wild Cub released their debut back in August.

This new song from Alabama Shakes is on the Silver Linings Playbook soundtrack.

Moonface’s Heartbreaking Bravery is available now.

This is an alternate take on Rhye’s The Fall.

Yukon Blonde have an album out now titled Tiger Talk.

Naomi Punk will release The Feeling on November 20.

Icona Pop are expected to put out a full length next year.

Why? recently released Mumps, etc.

Peace’s The World Is Too Much With Us is out now.

DeVotchKa Live With The Colorado Symphony came out earlier this week.

Parakeet will release the Shonen Hearts EP on November 19.

Lymybc Systym’s Symbolyst is now available.

Double Vision by Win Win is out now.

A deluxe version of Metric’s Synthetica is due out November 20.

PVT have readied a new album titled Homosapien.

Only You have a 7″ out now titled Applying Myself.

Purity Ring’s Fineshrines is out now.  They play the Mohawk on January 22.

Shipla Ray will soon release an album titled Last Year’s Savage.

Best Coast’s The Only Place is out now.

Beach House put out Bloom earlier this year.

Biophilia by Bjork is out now.

Action Bronson is awesome.  I kind of ignored the guy when people first started mentioning his name, and I’m not even sure why.  Everything he does is as inspired as can be!  What was I thinking?  Anyhow, he has a mixtape coming up that was produced by The Alchemist.  Check out a track below.  Rare Chandeliers is expected out next month.

:Action Bronson – The Symbol:  This song has the two things that every Action Bronson effort these days seems to have – a rad arrangement and pure verbal magic.  The guy just can’t miss.  Somebody help me give him the biggest high five ever when he plays Emo’s East on November 21 with Cypress Hill.

Bonus Video:

Today’s music beat all other music in a fight to the death.  Enjoy.

:Action Bronson – It’s Me:  This is a song that features what seems to be a Little Mermaid sample thrown over lyrics that Disney would never ever approve of.  I dig it.  Way to keep things fresh, AB.  This Party Supplies-produced number appears to be a random one, so grab it while you can.

:Harlan – 1984:  Here’s a nice 80s-enthused track.  If you can manage to make it through the chorus with wanting to create some sort of embarrassing dance, then there might be something wrong with you.  The 1984 EP is expected out digitally tomorrow.

:AC Newman – Encyclopedia Of Classic Takedowns:  I think I’m now officially excited for AC Newman’s upcoming full length.  The New Pornographers’ frontman has put out two pop gems in advance of the new album, and I’m just convinced there’s plenty more to be had.  The LP is titled Shut Down The Streets and is due October 9 via Matador.

:Earlimart – 10 Years:  I’m not sure why, but on occasion I totally forget about how long this duo has been around.  Weird.  Anyhow, they’re back with a new album (they’re seventh), and this moody number is off of it.  System Preferences is expected to physically be released (it’s digitally available now) on October 16 via The Ship.

:Why? – Strawberries:  These guys have been pouring out music all year in order to get the world ready for their new full length, and this looks as though it’ll be the last track released before the LP finally drops.  I like it.  Be sure to grab headphones, though.  Mumps, etc is due out October 2 via Anticon.