Best Songs of the Year 2021... so far

Sorry it took us a little longer than expected. Some out of the blue busy days, plus, more recently, being knocked out by the second dose of the vaccine explains it (but no complaints, very happy about it). But as promised in the previous post, with our best records and EPs of the year so far, now it's time to unveil our Favourite Songs from this half of 2021. 40 tunes, again in alphabetical order, with the sole limitation of one song per band/artist, and gathered on a playlist (see below) for your listening pleasure. 2 hours and 23 minutes of wonderful gems, so we hope you enjoy!

Crowded House- Start of Something
Dinosaur Jr.- And Me
Doble Pletina- Algo de lo que Poderme Quejar
Eddie 9V- Little Black Flies
Emily Rodgers- I Will Be Gone
Farewell Horizontal- Doesn’t Matter No One Cares
Full Power Happy Hour- Old Mind of Mine
Hadda Be- Another Life
Holiday Ghosts- Off Grid
Hooveriii- Control
Kings of Leon- The Bandit
Kiwi Jr.- Undecided Voters
Marina Allen- Oh, Louise
Massage- Made of Moods
Matt Berninger- The End
Mogwai- Ritchie Sacramento
Nation of Language- Across that Fine Line
No Kill- Better
Painted Shrines- Gone
Paul Weller- Shades of Blue
Pearl Charles- What I Need
Qlowski- A Woman
Quivers - Hold You Back
Real Numbers- In the End
Ryley Walker- Rang Dizzy
Shame- Water in the Well
Sharon Van Etten & Angel Olsen- Like I Used To
Steady Holiday - Tangerine
Stephen’s Shore- Skogen
Teenage Fanclub- Back in the Day
The Chills - Monolith
The Lodger- Dual Lives
The Mountain Goats- Mobile
The Tubs- Two Person Love
The Umbrellas- She Buys Herself Flowers
The Weather Station- Robber
Wojtek the Bear- One’s Thing for Certain
Woods- Waiting Around for a New Me

And if you want to check the previous years, click on 2011,2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 selections!

Best Records and EPs of the Year 2021... so far

It's official. We have reached July, meaning half of 2021 is gone. Something that looks, feels and sounds surreal. Same applies to holidays and being fully vaccinated, forthcoming situations that seemed a distant dream not that long ago. So, in order to keep with the optimistic vibes, we are set to recover a Blog tradition that covid took us away last year (we weren't in the mood). Today we unveil our 25 best records and EPs of the year so far! The list is alphabetical and length is not an issue (proper ranks are reserved for December). Just the works we have enjoyed the most this past six months. Hope you like it (don't hesitate to suggest yours, always welcomed) and find plenty to listen (click on the links to do so). And stay tuned, our favourite songs from 2021 are about to arrive!

Bart & Friends- Tolmie Wild Thymes
Cassandra Jenkins- An Overview On Phenomenal Nature
Crowded House- Dreamers Are Waiting
Dinosaur Jr.- Sweep It Into Space
Dry Cleaning- New Long Leg
Full Power Happy Hour- Full Power Happy Hour
Holiday Ghosts- North Street Air
Joana Serrat- Hardcore from the Heart
Kiwi Jr.- Cooler Returns
Lucy Dacus- Home Video
Painted Shrines- Heaven and Holy
Pearl Charles- Magic Mirror
Quivers- Golden Doubt
Tape Waves- Bright
Teenage Fanclub- Endless Arcade
The Boys with the Perpetual Nervousness- Songs from Another Life
The Catenary Wires- Birling Gap
The Chills- Scatterbrain
The Coral- Coral Island
The Laughing Chimes- In This Town
The Reds, Pinks & Purples- Uncommon Weather
The Telephone Numbers- The Ballad of Doug
The Weather Station- Ignorance
Will Stratton- The Changing Wilderness
Wurld Series- What’s Growing  

More lists? Click on the years to check our 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 selections!

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 281

Last weekend of February and there's a feeling things are starting to get going. Frustrantingly slowly, maybe. But there's a different vibe. For example, take a look (or more important, a listen) to our latest TOP TEN JUKEBOX, an exciting and diverse combination of newcomers and consecrated names. We have in-your-face rock, mellow sounds, elegant ballads, scathing social and political commentary... a little for everyone, so plenty to enjoy. Check it out, and remember to join us at our Soundcloud page!

BloodBuzzed · Bloodbuzzed Jukebox 281

Direct links to 2021 Jukebox playlists

Week 272  Week 273 Week 274  Week 275  Week 276  Week 277  Week 278

Week 279  Week 280

Primavera Sound 2016 in brief, day 3

Here comes the second of our quick chronicles of how is Primavera Sound 2016 developing for us. After the first post devoted to Wednesday and Thursday, it's time for what many stated as the main on this edition, Friday 3rd (also known, not our case though, as the 'Radiohead day'). Keep the music coming!

The Good

A ton of good music: That's why Primavera Sound can't be beat. Yesterday in a journey that could have lasted longer (options were everywhere) I manage to see 11 gigs (9 in full).
Primavera a la Ciutat/Day Pro (part II): Like on the previous briefing, I began the day at midday at CCCB, having the chance of seeing live 3 acts and attending a conference. And what a trio of great live shows they were! Big Summer put a flawless, rock-solid show as expected (check their latest album 'Trigger', you won't regret it). Julien Baker was terrific in her disarming, affecting solo offer (can't believe her age). And Cass McCombs showed his range as musician on a gig that deserved much more time. Fabulous way to head into the Fòrum.

Julien Baker, blossoming folk. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Glimpses of brilliance: On a day so stocked with music it's hard to choose particular acts, and several concerts had memorable moments. The crazy fun that is watching Titus Andronicus (The Pogues meeting The Clash) and Royal Headache (what a collection of effervescent, immediate tunes Shogun and Co. have already) live. Beirut's 'Postcards from Italy' and 'The Riptide'. The glorious interpretation of 'The Age of the Understatement' from the Puppets. Savages' Jehnny Beth giving all that she has inside, once and again, to reach the audience...

Jehnny Beth honouring the local "castellers" tradition. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

High and higher with Royal Headache. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Dinosaur Jr.: Yep, we missed Radiohead. But we don't regret it one bit, thanks to Mascis, Barlow and Murph. It was a stormy set. Fierce, epic, straight to the jugular. An hour of guitars, distortion, feedback and throwaway classics. A blast.

The Bad

Massification (part II): "Mordor" (H&M and Heineken stages) was already appalling on previous editions, but this year is simply excruciating. Armies of people just wandering around, transformed into a cast of zombies (alcohol without measure has never been a good idea), and getting anxious when the "big name" approaches. Avoiding both stages much as possible has become a pretty clear strategy, which is quite sad...

The Queen
Ben Watt Band: Didn't know what to expect really... a gig too quiet for Ray-Ban stage and a Festival audience probably? Luckily, how damn wrong I was. Gentle and moody yet on full electric mode, on a combination that, at her rockier moments, didn't sound very far from The War On Drugs or Kurt Vile. Of course, Ben was in such good company it's easy to understand how impeccable was the sound of the gig. Kudos in particular to Bernard Butler, terrific in his guitar playing without going flashy or bombastic, just adding what the tunes needed. 45 minutes of wonderful musics played by truly talented musicians.

Butler & Watt, guitar-driven to wonder. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Brief of the third and last "big day" of the PS16, Saturday 4th, arriving tomorrow!

Our Primavera Sound 2016 Playlist

We are about to start another edition of Primavera Sound Festival, so we have prepared a stunning playlist with all bands we are aiming to see in the forthcoming days. We'll keep you posted, see you at the Fòrum!

Primavera Sound 2016: my draft schedule

Time to honour another Blog tradition! The timeables of Primavera Sound Festival 2016 have been revealed, so let's (try) to make our schedule (first attempt). Despite general opinions, this edition is quite far from being a favourite, and the recurring, inevitable, painful overlaps, are going to make it worse (that's why here we have listed only the gigs we believe will see fully). But no complaints, let's "play" and complete the puzzle! This is what our PS 2016 looks like (initial impressions):  

Wednesday, June 1st, Parc del Fòrum

17:00 Doble Pletina (Primavera)
18:00 El Último Vecino (Primavera)
19:00 Sr. Chinarro (Primavera)
20:30 Goat (Primavera)
22:00 Suede (Primavera)

Day without issues... except the bands we really want to watch are just Doble Pletina and Suede, first and last on the schedule

Thursday, June 2nd, Parc del Fòrum
18:00 Algiers (Heineken)
20:00 Daughter (Heineken)
21:30 A.R. Kane (Adidas Originals)
23:45 Protomartyr (Pitchfork)
Troubles begin: Algiers versus Lee Ranaldo. incomplete Julien Baker, Suede clashing with Daughter, clashing with Destroyer, empty until Protomartyr. Pretty disastrous day overall.

Friday, June 3rd, Parc del Fòrum
12:30 Big Summer (CCCB)
13:00 Cala Vento (CCCB)
14:00 Julien Baker (CCCB)
14:30 Cass McCombs (CCCB)
17:30 Aliment (Pitchfork)
18:30 Ben Watt Band (Ray-Ban)
19:05 Titus Andronicus (H&M)
20:00 Savages (Heineken)
21:00 Beirut (H&M)
22:15 Dinosaur Jr. (Ray-Ban) 
23:35 Royal Headache (Pitchfork)
00:25 The Last Shadow Puppets (Heineken)
Could we make it? The challenge is titanic (12 bands, plus Beach House as an additional option after the Puppets) and yet I'm furious there are some tough choices to be made. No Radiohead? Savages of Robert Forster? Lush at the Hidden Stage? Move some of them to Thursday! That's criminal!

Saturday, June 4th, Parc del Fòrum
15:00 Robert Forster (CCCB)
17:00 Bob Mould (Hidden Stage) 
18:40 The Chills (Ray-Ban)
20:00 Brian Wilson (Heineken)
22:35 PJ Harvey (Heineken)
00.50 Julia Holter (Ray-Ban)
And after a terrifying day full of choices, a Saturday quite so-so, with the main clash between Brian Wilson and Richard Hawley. Aside from that, pretty clear...

Sunday, June 5th, Apolo/Sala BARTS
19:30 Mudhoney (CCCB) 
21:00 Black Lips (CCCB) 
Huge questions marks for the closing day, very doubtful we'll make it, we'll see!

Discoverer 112: new indie findings

Oh what a triplet of bands we have gathered in our discoveries' series this weekend! You're going to love it, enjoy!

Surf City. You can't do wrong going down under. Formed in 2004 in Mt Roskill, Auckland, this New Zealand quartet was quickly hailed as a "band to watch", releasing their s/t debut EP in 2008 on Arch Hill Recordings/Morr Music, with full-length 'Kudos', arriving two years later. But the best was yet to come. First with sophomore album 'We Knew It Was Not Going To Be Like This' out on Fire Records and, arriving in just a couple of weeks, 'Jekyll Island' that should propel Surf City to indiepop's stratosphere. Psychedelic pop with twists of fuzz, echoing our Flying Nun heroes while taking a ride as well with American heavyweights like The Velvet or The Feelies. Influences aside, this is catchy as hell, ridiculously engaging. Serious contender for addictive record of the year. Not to miss.

American Culture. Hailing from Denver (the press release says "they live out in the desert near four corners where Arizona, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico meet"), there's very few information on a band that, back to the press release, "don't really want the world to know who they are, personally. Just the music. We even had a hard time tracking them down for this. The tracks and art come to us on a CDR in an envelope with no return address. We have only e-mailed with them. Never spoken. They ask (politely) for no photography during their rare live shows, usually in houses or basements". They define themsleves as "pop music for introverts". Which is kind of ironic, in a way, because the majority of 'Pure American Gum', their first record (as far as we know), out next week on Jigsaw Records, is expansive, pure, unadultered, 90s indie-rock. Guided By Voices meeting Dinosaur Jr, Pavement on stereoids, Jesus and Mary Chain high on Coca-Cola. Pop hits.
Diet Cig. Alex Luciano and Noah Bowman of Earl Boykins (Forged Artifacts) hails from New Paltz, NY. With a very short background, only a handful of shows after the duo started out las summer, we began to hear first, promising tunes, late last year. Now five songs have seen the light of day via Father/Daughter Records, on the debut EP 'Over Easy', out since February. An incredible, flawless litte dose of efervescent pop-punk, irresistibly catchy and energetic, with shouty, sing-along lyrics (Tiger Trap? Don't want to point that glorious name in vain but...). Make no mistake, Diet Cig are here to make you dance, yell, smile and love them. Instant crush...

Discoverer 78: new indie findings

More fantastic new indie discoveries selected for your listening pleasure, enjoy!

Dutch Barn. Our beloved EardrumsPop again folks. They not only come out with another fantastic (and FREE!) release, the ePop 036, but they also remind me there was a band waiting to be listened. This five piece from East London were formed from the embers of folk group Little Ray in 2011, debuting with album “Lighter Later“ in April 2013. The record and the EPop single are delightful trips to guitar-driven indie-rock tunes. Open spaces, sparse, folky roots, heavenly coexisting with reverb and upbeat melodies. They've been defined as a cross between Teenage Fanclub, Dinosaur Jr and Stereolab. The comparison is accurate in terms of sound, but also in terms of potential.
Upset. Careful, super-indie band here. This L.A. trio, formed in 2013, is leaded by Ali Koehler, former drummer of Vivian Girls and then Best Coast, alongside ex-Hole drummer Patty Schemel.(looks like they met over Twitter) and guitarist Jenn Prince from La Sera. Upset's debut, "She's Gone", is out since October 29 through punk label Don Giovanni. Any hint of what could the record sound like? Right, pop-punk infected with hooks, channeling '90s indie-rock spirit and so ready to grab you from the ear you will think this record has been on your shelf since 20 years ago. Not to miss. 

Old Lacy Bed. Back to Japan to meet this young girls-band from Nagoya formed in 2012. As always happens (unfortunately) with Asian bands, there's not a lot of info out there, so we'll stick with what we know. Although there are some more tunes at the soundcloud, what it seems a split release with band The Moments and song "Coastlands" included on the Ano(t)raks "Soon V.A." compilation from September 2012, their first proper debut might be this lovely, immediately addictive 7" single "Little Girl" on Dufflecoat Records, available since June. Somewhere in the middle of the sweetest shoegaze and the fuzzier twee-pop this three songs are just wonderful. We want more! 

Primavera Sound 2013 in brief, day 2

Already exhausted, but here comes the quick update of the second day, first of the "big ones" of Primavera Sound Festival 2013. Our particular music trip!

The Good

Jehnny Beth, Savages
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Savages: Our bet of the day (probably of the Festival too) and they didn't disappoint. Unfortunately lead guitarist Gemma Thompson had a serious issue with her guitar halfway to their gig, so after solving it, their set got shortened. But what a striking band Savages are. Singer Jehnny Beth is a fierce, sharp, mind blowing stage presence. Songs are like razorblades. They look for you, hunt you, get you and don't let you go. A real shock to your system. Brutal.
Deerhunter-Grizzly Bear: I know they are big "alternative" bands with a consolidated, prestigious position on the alternative scene. But until yesterday, I honestly never gave much attention to them. My mistake. Won't happen again. Very good shows, stunning songs.
Sound quality: As we hoped for on Wednesday, the sound quality (the exception being Adidas Original) was very high in all the stages we went yesterday. Great improvement.

The Bad

Dinosaur Jr., PS13. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Evans the Death: If Savages was our first must of the day, Evans the Death was our second. A personal favourite, and the chance to see them on one of the smallest venues was extremely appealing. But they gave a terrible show. Terrible. Awful sound, a complete lack of interest on playing, and a singer who was clearly drunk, destroying completely their beautiful tunes. The performance of "Telling Lies" still hurts me. What a disappointment.
Cigarettes & alcohol: And mobile phones. And pogos. And posers & fakers. I'll never understand what's the point of paying for a music Festival when all you want is getting drunk, show your clothes and keep chatting with your mobile or your partner. Can't you do that every *****ing weekend of the year?

The Queen

Phoenix' Thomas Mars on screen
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Seven bands on a day: Our schedule was quite a challenge (and I'm sure many people saw even more bands than us): Wild Nothing- Savages- Evans the Death- Dinosaur Jr.- Deerhunter- Grizzly Bear- Phoenix. It was tiring (distances are killing) but absolutely rewarding. With the aforementioned exception, I enjoyed six very different, good/very good shows (I would like to highlight Wild Nothing and Mr. Mascis in particular) on the same day. How many festivals can offer the same? That's what makes Primavera, despite all "issues" (that become quite secondary), so unbeatable at the end.

Third day beginning in few hours. Many more bands to talk about. Briefing available here!

Primavera Sound 2013: my draft schedule

3rd attempt. Not even two weeks before Primavera Sound 2013 begins, and now we have (virtually) all the information needed to try to design our schedule for the Festival. Here it is!

Wednesday, May 22nd, Parc del Fòrum/Apolo
18:00 Aliment (Ray-Ban stage)
19:00 The Bots (Ray-Ban)
20:00 Guards (Ray-Ban)
21.00 The Vaccines (Ray-Ban)
22.10 Evans the Death (Salón Smint Myspace)
00.00 Cheatahs (La [2] de Apolo)
01.00 Veronica Falls (La [2] de Apolo)

Thursday, May 23rd, Parc del Fòrum
18:25 Wild Nothing (Heineken stage)
19:30 Savages (Pitchfork)
20:30 Tame Impala (Heineken)
21:45 Dinosaur Jr. (Primavera)
22:55 The Postal Service (Heineken)
00:15 Grizzly Bear (Primavera)
01:40 Phoenix (Heineken)
Possible changes of Evans the Death at 20.45 at Adidas Originals stage instead of Tame Impala and Menomena at 00.30 at Vice stage instead Grizzly Bear.

Friday, May 24th, Parc del Fòrum
16:00 Ethan Johns (Auditori Rockdelux)
18:10 Kurt Vile & The Violators (Heineken)
19:30 Daniel Johnston (Auditori)
21:30 The Breeders performing Last Splash (Primavera)
22:45 Local Natives (Pitchfork)
23:50 Daughter (Vice)
01:30 Blur (Heineken)
03.15 Titus Andronicus (Primavera)
The organizations has made some changes on the schedule... that didn't help one bit. The Auditori will be so full with Daniel Johnston that maybe watching Peace at the same time at the Primavera stage might be a good option. Plus several empty hours with no clear option to attend...

Saturday, May 25th, Parc del Fòrum
18:35 Adam Green & Binki Shapiro (Heineken stage)
19:45 Rodríguez (Primavera stage)
20:55 Band of Horses (Heineken)
23.30 Camera Obscura (Ray-Ban)
01:05 Los Planetas (Primavera)
No changes on this day, very unfortunate with the schedule. Missing Bored Spies, The Babies, Sr. Chinarro, Grushenka... and to make it worse, there are several moments when nothing really interests me, in particular in between Band of Horses and Camera Obscura. We'll see...

Sunday, May 26th, Apolo/Sala BARTS
19:30 The Orchids (Sala BARTS)
20:30 Julie Doiron (BARTS)
21:30 Sr.Chinarro (BARTS)
22.30 Come (BARTS)
Easy and, on paper, comfortable last day. Still missing for the Primavera als Parcs schedule, where there are a couple of bands I would like to see. Even despite some disappointments and several decissions to be made, it's a busy & exciting schedule, don't you think?

Primavera Sound 2013: the sweepstake

Tomorrow is the DAY: the Primavera Sound 2013 unveils their line-up in full in some kind of party/ceremony. Bloodbuzzed will be there, hoping that as many of our most beloved artists will join the Festival this May. Here's our sweepstake, our bet. This time the artists listed are not personal preferences/wishes. Just our thoughts on which names will be confirmed tomorrow! Will this be the #bestfestivalever? Will let you know!

1. Band of Horses
2. Breeders, The
3. Cat Power
4. Dinosaur Jr.
5. Everything Everything
6. Frank Ocean
7. Grizzly Bear
8. Johnny Marr
9. Knife, The
10. Phoenix
11. Postal Service, The
12. Primal Scream
13. My Bloody Valentine
14. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds 
15. Rodríguez
16. Suede
17. Tame Impala
18. Yeah Yeah Yeahs
19. Youth Lagoon
20. Wild Nothing

Discoverer 23: new indie findings

It's been a week plenty of movies and books, but there's always time for new music!

Turn Off Your Television. From the music I have been receiving at the blog inbox, this trio from the very beautiful Malmö, Sweden, stands out. Why? Because they are like a jukebox of the finest indie pop in almost all their forms. Their inspired and diverse self-titled album is full of intimate, memorable songs, subtly arranged, always with an unforgettable melody. I love records that seem slowly crafted, where every song transmits a special care. The kind of album that every day grabs you with a different tune. That's what Turn Off Your Television offers. Music lovers shouldn't miss them.

Big Troubles. Slumberland, again. This band from New Jersey, leaded by Alex Craig and Ian Drennan returns to action with "Romantic Comedy" a second album that sounds like an indie-pop manual. A more polished and softer affair than their debut, "Worry", this collection of tunes combines brit-pop effervescence, retro-pop vibe, jangling melodies, with some others guitar-driven, rockier tunes. From The Boo Radleys to Dinosaur Jr., the 80's and the 90's indie "aristocracy" will parade in our ears. All resistance is futile.

Human Tetris. Few info available from this four-piece band from Moscow, but from this week on they're definitely on my radar. Active since 2008, they have two highly recommendable EPs, "Human Tetris" and "Soldiers", an album on the making and an European tour announced for 2012. Their icy but passionate post-punk/new wave music, with hints of shoegaze or more ambient sounds, links them directly to another favourite of this blog, our beloved Motorama. Some great music is coming from Russia lately!