The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 131

The weather, exhaustion after a long week with some tense moments... and, moreover, a Friday that goes straight to the History books as such a worldwide threat is assuming the presidency of the United States. So, in need of a break? Same here. Let's do it with some exciting music courtesy of our beloved Rose Elinor Dougall and Joanna Gruesome plus some great new finds in our new TOP TEN Jukebox! And remember, all songs are available at our Soundcloud page (Join Us!).

Direct links to 2017 Jukebox playlists

Week 126 Week 127 Week 128 Week 129 Week 130 

Music to look forward in 2017

A bit later than last year, but a tradition is a tradition. Here are our new year's music wishes! A quick top ten of summary of the music releases/events we're looking forward the most in this 2017.

Stellular's about to land,
the voice is back

1. The year begins with Rose Elinor Dougall’s new album ‘Stellular’, arriving next week. What can we say? It’s been too long without her and I’m pretty anxious to hear it. Please tour Spain, please tour Spain, please tour Spain… Exactly the same can be said with masters The Bats, who will release ‘The Deep Set’ in January 27th. A terrific way to start 2017, musically speaking (no politics in this post or we’ll all get depressed).

2. Two sophomore albums from two mesmerizing bands that you SHOULD see live if you have the chance. After the mighty ‘Land’, Novella returns to action with ‘Change of State’, scheduled for mid-February, with the first tunes setting the bar as high as expected. And Desperate Journalist will follow with ‘Grow Up’, arriving in late March, a record that should confirm them as one of the bands to follow devotedly.

3. Two of the Blog’s most anticipated and awaited albums of 2017 doesn’t have a release date yet, which make us even more impatient to get some update on them. We’re referring, of course to "our" music genius from Boise and most beloved sure-fire, Jeremy Jensen, aka The Very Most. He announced a few days ago details on new music are about to come, yay! The other is a debuting name that has all the numbers to release one of this blogger’s record of the year; Filthy Friends, or the supergroup (usually not my cup of tea) lead by Corin Tucker and Peter Buck, alongside plus Scott McCaughey, Kurt Bloch and Bill Rieflin. Judging from the first glimpses you can hear at the Internet (Todos los Santos’ Festival and first tune ‘Despierta’) expectations couldn’t be higher...

Filthy Friends, let's talk (again) about the passion...

4. Not enough? There’s not a lot of announcements right now, but you can always trust labels like Flying Nun, Shelflife, Jigsaw Records, Slumberland, Matinée, Test Pattern, WWNBB, February Records, Kanine, Fishrider, Merge, Sub Pop, HHBTM, to just name a few. Sure they have prepared a wonderful year of music for us.

Delightful pop stings granted...  

5. In what regards to national releases, 2017 is the year of several personal favourites returning to action. First take, a trio of infallible bands: Me and the Bees, When Nalda Became Punk and Los Punsetes.

6. Want more? Here’s a second take, courtesy of the great label El Genio Equivocado: Cosmen Adelaida, Ghost Transmission and Grushenka. Add the usual wise ears of the folks running labels like Discos de Kirlian, Pretty Olivia or La Castanya (Beach Beach is also back right?) and the year couldn’t look brighter. And yes, I know there’s some band from Granada set to return too...

7. Time for live music now. Our first VIDA! And with my beloved Real Estate presenting new album? All we have heard about the Festival’s vibes are excellent, so we are really excited about going down to Vilanova i la Geltrú!

8. And another Primavera Sound Festival ahead, this time with all the line-up unveiled and several mandatory gigs, as usual: Angel Olsen, Mitski, Julia Jacklin, Hamilton Leithauser, Magnetic Fields (new album)… and, finally (space for the drums rattling, it’s a “big finally") Teenage Fanclub! The wait is over...

22 years after, new waves of sound await us... 

9. What else? Here’s a potpourri of names (concerts, albums, wishes) that come to our minds at the moment of writing this lines. For sure, another Minifestival is scheduled for March, with Cristina Quesada & Andreas Johnson playing in Barcelona (another "big finally"!), plus our dear Linda Guilala, Luke Haines and Neleonard. Will Lisa Hannigan and beloved Beth Orton tour here? Albums from The Luxembourg Signal, Hospitality, The Feelies, Alvvays, Tim Darcy, The Shins, and... Slowdive (is that for real?) should/could arrive. And let us dream about Michael Stipe taking back the mic...

The end of the world is coming soon (and we know it),
so please come back before it's too late <3

10. And, of course (yes, saved for the very last, to keep “the tension”) this is the year of The National’s comeback... Just in time to strike back at the "fake empire" about to arise in Washington D.C...

Granted, many more records, songs, gigs and amazing moments related with music are awaiting us, so let’s 2017 officially (musically speaking) begin!

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 92

A constellation of stars gathered to please your ears is what we have prepared today in our TOP TEN Jukebox. Along with a couple of discoveries we have a line-up of most exciting comebacks and most promising new adventures from musicians we love: Beth Orton! Fear of Men! Rose Elinor Dougall as as a member of the Innerspace Orchestra! California Snow Story! Kate Jackson (remember the great Long Blondes, she's back)! Postal Blue! Sorry for the amount of exclamation marks but this weekend's playlist is mesmerizing, so what are you waiting for? And remember, all this songs are listed at our Soundcloud page (Join Us!)

Direct links to 2015 Jukebox playlists

Week 36  Week 37  Week 38   Week 39  Week 40  Week 41  Week 42 Week 43   Week 44  

Week 45  Week 46  Week 47   Week 48  Week 49   Week 50  Week 51   Week 52  Week 53   

Week 54   Week 55  Week 56   Week 57  Week 58  Week 59   Week 60 Week 61  Week 62 

Week 63  Week 64  Week 65  Week 66   Week 67   Week 68  Week 69   Week 70  Week 71  

Week 72   Week 73  Week 74   Week 75 Week 76   Week 77   Week 78  Week 79   Week 80

Week 81   Week 82   Week 83  Week 84  Week 85  Week 86   Week 87   Week 88  Week 89

Week 90   Week 91

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox 36

Back to our regular posts after Christmas, and we do it so with the first round of our TOP TEN playlist series! Exciting comebacks, leaded by my dear Rose Elinor Dougall, and many new discoveries, several hailing from down under. As always, the playlist is also available at our Blog's soundcloud page.

Direct links to the previous Jukebox weeks
Week 1   Week 8     Week 15     Week 22   Week 29
Week 2    Week 9     Week 16    Week 23  Week 30 
Week 3    Week 10   Week 17    Week 24  Week 31 
Week 4    Week 11   Week 18    Week 25   Week 32
Week 5    Week 12  Week 19    Week 26   Week 33
Week 6    Week 13  Week 20    Week 27   Week 34
Week 7     Week 14    Week 21    Week 28   Week 35

Music to Look Forward in 2014

Another blog tradition: our new year's music wishes! A small summary of the releases/events we're looking forward to. And yours?

1. To begin with, our traditional & most beloved sure-fire: Jeremy Jensen, aka The Very Most, will be back quite soon with new lush and charming songs. But the challenge in 2014 is greater. Seeing each other again. UK on the horizon! 
2. Another sure-fire is going to be my first gig of the year: Basia Bulat at the end of January presenting "Tall Tall Shadow". Plus, few weeks later it will be the turn for Savages. Oh My, Oh My. 
3. The Hi-Life Companion keeps me waiting way more than is reasonable! "Our Years in the Wilderness" has to arrive very soon, we need it! 
   
4. There's an indiepop genius up north (Sweden) called Andreas Jonsson who has been releasing stunning tune after stunning tune in adorable singles for almost two years. Now Alpaca Sports is going to offer a full album, entitled "Sealed with a Kiss", scheduled for February. What if it is so perfect we don't want to hear anything else? Show some mercy for the rest of musicians out there Andreas! 
5. Young bands conquering the world.This is REALLY the year Planet Earth (at least the part that's not deaf) should fall forever in love with Fear of Men and Let's Buy Happiness. And 2014 should be also the year where the young indiepop army from the Dunedin scene (courtesy of the lovely people at Fishrider Records) conquers the world. It would be a much better place anyway. 
6. Two favourite voices of mine are expected to offer new music this year. Rose Elinor Dougall will offer a follow-up to her fantastic "Future Vanishes" Ep. Can't wait. But the COMEBACK in big capital letters for me is the reunion of Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott. Record on the works. To hear them together again...to hear her again....it's been so long. Goosebumps already. 
   
7. Indietracks, Indietracks, Indietracks, Indietracks... repeat 'til become truth!
8. Fourth Primavera Sound Festival. I already posted my wish list recently. Check it here.
9. Even more & records expected: Northern Spies, Hospitality, Belle and Sebastian, Me and the Bees, Grushenka, Cosmen Adelaida, The Swapsies, Young Romance, Sharon Van Etten, Be Forest... And what do infallible labels like Shelflife, EardrumsPop, Slumberland, Matinée, Test Pattern, Fortuna Pop!, Dufflecoat, WWNBB, February Records, El Genio Equivocado or Discos de Kirlian have prepared for us? And yes (let's go mainstream for a second), it's true this time. It's a U2 year. Maybe too late? We'll see...
10. And finally, the most personal one: you're going to see (better said read) me writing quite a lot out there. Here's hoping for the very best...

Of course, there are many more out there, eager to be discovered. The year in music could be spectacular!

Primavera Sound 2014: My Wish List

It's another tradition to honour. The Primavera Sound Festival will unveil its line-up on January 28th, it seems that with a movie (intriguing!). The few names announced so far, Arcade Fire, Pixies and Neutral Milk Hotel are not very exciting for me, and rumours like NIN, Beck, Neil Young or Kanye West are so worrying, not to mention terrible proposals like Daft Punk (just my opinion of course). So, as we did on previous years, here's how my wish list would like. It's a mix between personal desires and bands that, seeing their agendas, could very well be in Barcelona next May... Fingers crossed, because it could be an incredible edition! If you follow my advice... maybe the slogan #bestfestivalever might be true, hehehe....

1. Alpaca Sports. The pluperfect indiepop band, how long without them in Barcelona? Not fair.
2. Beth Orton. Needed. Too long since the last time I saw her.
3. Cat Power. Dropped last year, but she's still touring, so second chance in 2014? It would be fantastic.
4. Decemberists, The. Still one of my must-see bands. Still!!!!
5. DIIV. Same case as Chan Marshall. Eagerly expected.
6. Fear of Men. Debut LP ready for Spring. Mandatory band to watch & hear on 2014
7. Go Violets. My best EP of 2013. They deserve a spot in Barcelona...
8. Hospitality. New album arriving on early 2014, they do have to cross the Atlantic this time...
9. Julie Ruin, The. Kathleen Hanna is back, and happily, she's also touring. Even more than that, they play in France on May 27th, so their schedule fits wonderfully... Enough said.
10. National, The. I know it. You know it. Everybody knows it. Dates fit so well. Won't be as special as seeing them in L.A. but of course, we'll be there.
11. New Zealanders. Primavera Sound bring newcomers Trick Mammoth and Males to Barcelona. And Prophet Hens (all three bands courtesy of Fishrider Records). And Astro Children. I could go on....
12. Real Estate. We know there's an album on the making, so we want them back.
13. Rose Elinor Dougall. Arguably one of the most haunting voices ever imo, her latest EP, "Future Vanishes", is another solid step on her striking solo career so far. Sophomore album and tour are on the works so please make a stop in Barcelona...  
14. San Fermin. Can you imagine how amazing could be a San Fermin gig at Auditori? American tour ends in March, so why not an European leg in Spring?
15. Sleater-Kinney. Wild Flag is over, they gathered on stage at a Pearl Jam's gig recently and the buzz keeps going. If it's not just a rumour, this is a MUST for Primavera Sound. Enough said (part II)
16. Slowdive. Kind of a rumour again, although Rachel and Neil are reuniting for some gigs in London, so here's hoping...
17. Softies, The. Or any combo, new project in which Rose Melberg is involved. With The Softies I want to claim a much bigger space for indiepop at Primavera please!!
18. Torres. Another MUST (why only in Madrid this Autumn?). At Auditori it would be mind-blowing. 
19. Wild Swans, The. Reissues and more reissues, why not a tour throughout Europe? Or at least Barcelona in Spring? Paul Simpson say yes!
20. Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Didn't like "Mosquito", one of the biggest disappointments of the year imo, but I have to see Karen O at least once live... 

Best Songs of the Year 2013: 25-1

And here it is. Tthe fourth and last chapter of our favourite 100 tunes of the year, with our Top 25 Songs of 2013. Again, you have the complete (22 tunes) playlist at our newly created Soundcloud page, and if the song isn't available there, you'll have an alternative direct link. Hope you enjoyed the musical ride!

25. Johnny Cash- Coach Station Reunion
24. 2am- Northern Spies
23. Another Game On Saturday- The Swapsies
22. Julie (Come Out of the Rain)- Josh Rouse
21. Honey- Torres
20. Lucky Too- Males
19. If You Still Want Me- Veronica Falls (link to video)
18. Into the Sun- The Proctors
17. El Caminar- Wiggum
16. Teenager- Go Violets
15. If You Were My Captain- Big Summer
14. London Bound- Just Handshakes (We’re British)
13. Terco- Doble Pletina
12. Delphine (With a Purpose)- Trick Mammoth
11. Heavy Feet- Local Natives
10. Methuselah- San Fermin
9. Pink Rabbits- The National
8. Future Vanishes- Rose Elinor Dougall
7. A Ton of Love- Editors
6. Singing Time- Eleanor Friedberger
5. Break It to You Gently- Camera Obscura
4. Husbands- Savages
3. Relevé- Pauline en la Playa
2. Tall Tall Shadow- Basia Bulat
1. This is the Last Time-The National

Click here to check the SoundCloud playlist!

Best Songs of the Year 2013: 100-76

And finally, after Gigs, Books, EPs and Records, we begin the 3rd edition of the Bloodbuzzed's Best Songs of the Year. Our favourite 100 tunes released this 2013*. As we did the previous years, the list has been split in fourth posts of 25 songs each. So here's the first one, with tunes from 100 to 76. We have changed to SoundCloud as we believe it's easier for everyone (if the song isn't available there's an alternative direct link). Stay tuned for the rest of the songs. Have your say and enjoy the music!

100. El Marco Incomparable- Gente Joven
99. Dyed in the Wools- Widowspeak
98. When It’ll Come- When Nalda Became Punk
97. Calm Down- The Love Language

96. In the Waves- Shady Elders
95. Waiting for the Summer- The Proper Ornaments
94. Devil We Know- Lily & Madeleine
93. She’s Gone- Upset
92. Survivor Guilt Anthem- Two Seconds to Midnight
91. Real Tears- Seabirds
90. With Her Shadow- Born Ruffians
89. Lecce, Leaving- Lee Ranaldo
88. Fin de Semana en Londres- Puzzles y Dragones

87. Mother Earth, Father God- Torres

86. Separator- Ex Cops

85. Golden Twin- Wild Ones
84. Poison Ivy- Rose Elinor Dougall
83. Beix- Les Sueques
82. Just a Pup- The Very Most

81. (Just Like) Susan George- The Blanche Hudson Weekend
80. I’ll Be Honest- The Spook School
79. December- Braids
78. Water Damage- Dick Diver
77. Alleyways- The Adelines
76. Divide and Fall- The Wolfhounds

Click here to check the SoundCloud playlist!

* Three songs per band maximum to include more groups, which has "affected" The National, Savages and Go Violets.

Best EPs of the Year 2013

After the books and concerts, is time to review 2013 in what regards to music releases. And we begin with the EPs  (no singles, 3 to 6 songs), a format that is giving me so many joyful moments it deserves a list of their own. Needless to say, this is very personal (comments on each band clicking on their links). Hope you enjoy it!

15. Eurostar, the Musical- The French Pop Dream
14. Songs My Mother Never Sang to Me- Seven Tin Stars
13. The Memory of a Smile- Skittle Alley
12. Days I’ve Spent with You- Souvenir Stand
11. I Choo-choo-choose You- The Choo Choo Trains

10. Helen of Troy- Pale Spectres

9. Bananafish- Franny & Zoey

8. Just a Pup- The Very Most

7. Somos Puzzles y Dragones- Puzzles y Dragones

6. My Middle Names- Northern Spies

5. Parade- Chalk and Numbers

4. Bone & Arrow- Big Summer

3. Future Vanishes- Rose Elinor Dougall

2. Small Sound- Tennis

1. Heart Slice- Go Violets

Want to check the best EPs of 2012? Click here

The "Records List" coming shortly!

Music to Look Forward to in 2013

New year ahead, new musical wishes! Like we did on 2011 here's our small summary of the releases/events we're looking forward to. A brief shortlist of the "music gifts" asked for 2013. 

1. To begin with, our particular Three Kings, three especially beloved bands of this blog that will have new releases in 2013. Tomorrow arrives "Pretty Decent Swimmers" new EP from the mighty indiepop force Northern Portrait. The Very Most announced few days ago on facebook that a new EP will follow this spring/summer (Jeremy Jensen has told me it will be even better than the great "Ununiversalizable Us", what a statement!). And finally, The Hi-Life Companion assures me 2013 will see their comeback after the wonderful "Say Yes!"
2. Two young bands that have me completely haunted and should offer their debut albums this year. Fear of Men and Let's Buy Happiness. Can't wait to hear the voices of Jessica Weiss and Sarah Hall in their new songs. Expectations couldn't be higher. 
3. More heavenly voices: Rose Elinor Dougall promised me she will have another record ready this year. Please make a Spanish tour too! And it's time for my dear Basia Bulat to come back too. 
4. Amor de Días and The Pastels on the same year? Yes! Pretty sure I'll see both bands live...  
5. Planning to attend March's Madrid Popfest. Dreaming to be part of Indietracks on July.
6. Third Primavera Sound Festival, of course. The chance of seeing Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Eels and Blur live for the first time there? What about The Shins? Well, the PS13's line-up deserves a post on its own... (coming very soon)
7. Three "big names" to end this list. First one, Phoenix have confirmed their return!
8. Second. Camera Obscura also has announced they are recording a new album. Too long without you Tracyanne...Can't wait for it...
9. And one to be confirmed, but evidence suggests (at least in my head) that 2013 should be the year of The National's follow-up to "High Violet". Need to say I'm dying for it?
10. And finally, the most personal and toughest wish: really hoping for a 2013 where this passion of mine (music, writing about music) becomes (or starts to) a profession...

Sure, there are many more out there, and many more that will be discovered. That's the amazing thing with music. What a year this can be!

Best EPs of the Year 2012

After the books and concerts, is time to review 2012 in music releases. It's been a year full of wonderful EPs (only EPs, no singles, 3 to 5 songs), so they deserved a list of their own. Needless to say, this is a very personal list (comments on each band clicking on their links). Hope you enjoy it!

15. The Stammer- The Stammer 
14. Shy Little Jane Presents: The Dramatic Tale of Her Animals- Jane Joyd
13. The Belljars- The Belljars 
12. Baffin Island- Baffin Island 
11. Pale Lights- Pale Lights 
10. We Hunt- All We Are 
9. The Fake Stories About You & Me- Pale Sunday 
8. StarTropics- StarTropics 
7. Pure Bathing Culture- Pure Bathing Culture 
6. Young Romance- Young Romance
5. Ununiversalizable Us- The Very Most
4. The Distractions- Rose Elinor Dougall
3. Time Relentless- The Hermit Crabs
2. No Sleep- Fountains
1. End of Daze- Dum Dum Girls
 
The "Records List" coming shortly!

Discoverer 40: new indie findings

New band recommendations for you: lots of girls playing guitars (and other stuff)!

Sweater Girls. Checking the roster of Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records was on my agenda for quite a long time. But thanks to my frequently recommended friends of Indie Pop Saved My Life, this time I had a clear goal: the Sweater Girls. The L.A. band, active since 2010, is quintessential indiepop, the one that will immediately grab you and make you smile, full of jangling guitars, delicious twee vocals singing about impossible loves and friendships. Immediate warm and gentle feelings to your ears... and heart. After a couple of 7" releases, "Were Here", their debut album, is out on September 25th. The countdown has started.
 
Cruel Summer. Short trip from L.A. to Frisco to meet this quartet, which started to play out not even a year ago, and that defines themselves "like Sonic Youth making illegitimate kin with The Wedding Present". After hearing their small collection of tunes, an initial self-titled 3-songs EP (demo?) and another, comprising 6 tunes, out very soon, you'll see that BIG comparison might not be too far-off. Leaded by the voice of Thea Chacamaty, magnetic in the stunning "Carquinez", one of two pieces available to hear of their forthcoming EP, this band could have it: fuzzy, crunching guitars, dreamy melodies, infectious pop hooks. Have it all.    
 
TEEN. Change of coast with this Brooklyn's band, the current project of former Here We Go Magic keyboardist Kristina “Teeny” Lieberson, and a very familiar affair, as the (now) quartet is completed with her sisters Katherine and Lizze, plus long-time friend Jane Herships. A first EP in 2011, "Little Doods", preceded their debut album, "In Limbo", out just now. Rich and haunting, full of synths, spacey percussion, ethereal vocals, flourishing harmonies, guitar cascades and psychedelic turns, I hear echoes of Electrelane, The Velvet Underground, Rose Elinor Dougall, but I bet you'll find many others. An absorbing kaleidoscope of sounds.