Trying to find new music often leaves one like a kid in a candy store – There are so many choices and you don’t know which ones to pick! That, and they’ll all give you diabetes…

So what are you to do?! You use your free will, of course! Use your free will and make the choice to listen to what I tell you to!

Of Monsters and Men – Crystals

I delayed posting this week’s entry until I could share this brand new single, released less than a half hour ago! OMAM’s first album, “My Head is an Animal”, is filled with folk rock/pop singles such as Little Talks, Dirty Paws, and Mountain Sound, and definitely worth listening to from front to back. This song doesn’t have the horns that accompanied most of the hits from their last album, but seems driven by a catchy drum rhythm.

Mumford & Sons – Believe

Most people see Mumford & Sons and expect this. However, their latest release sees them taking a new direction with a full rock band sound, no banjos *Gasp!*, and even an electric guitar solo *Faints*! Personally, I’m a big fan of this new track and gladly wait in anticipation to hear the rest of their upcoming release, “Wilder Mind”, out May 4.

Toro Y Moi – Buffalo

From South Carolina comes Chaz Bundick (better known as Toro Y Moi) with his upcoming album, “What For?”, out April 7. Bundick’s music has often been described as Chillwave and electric R&B, but his latest efforts see him adding more rock to the mixture. Along with his other recently-released single Empty Nesters, they remind me of Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s recent track Multi-Love (See my last blog post). Coincidentally, Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s Ruban Nielson has credited contributions on Bundick’s upcoming album.

Modest Mouse – Lampshades on Fire

It’s been 8 years since Modest Mouse released their last album, but their upcoming release, “Strangers to Ourselves”, doesn’t see any drastic changes in style. Fans of Modest Mouse will be relieved to hear Isaac Brock’s double-tracked vocals once again when the album is released tomorrow, March 17!

Grimes – REALiTi

I was skeptical when I first heard Canadian artist Grimes’ song Oblivion when it was listed as #1 on Pitchfork.com‘s best tracks of 2012 (later to achieve #1 on their list for best tracks of the decade so far), but the song’s infectious beat quickly grew on me, and the way singer Claire Elise Boucher took a devastating personal experience wherein she was sexually assaulted and turned it into a single that launched her career is something to be admired.

REALiTi is a song Grimes recorded in 2013, but ultimately scrapped (along with enough songs to make an album) because she couldn’t face touring with such depressing music.

Wolf Alice – Moaning Lisa Smile

Wolf Alice is a band I recently stumbled upon. They’re a 4-piece alt-rock band from North London, with a sound that reminds me of other female alt-rock bands like the Joy Formidable, the Dead Weather, or the Naked and Famous. This track is off their EP, “Creature Songs”, released May 2014.

Great Lake Swimmers – Zero in the City

I take great pride in showcasing Canadian music, and while it may not be a legal requirement for a percentage of my featured tracks to be Canadian, I feel it is my duty as a Canadian to try. I’m sorry.

The Great Lake Swimmers come swimming out of Ontario (please tell me I’m funny) with their upcoming release, “A Forest of Arms”, out April 21. The Great Lake Swimmers are a must-listen-to for fans of folk-rock veterans like Neil Young or Iron & Wine.

Andy Kim – Longest Time

If you’re not familiar with Andy Kim, then you should be ashamed to call yourself a music aficionado! How could you forget the single he wrote for the Archies Sugar Sugar released 46 years ago in 1969?!

Andy Kim has collaborated with Broken Social Scene’s Kevin Drew on their LP, “It’s Decided”, that came out February 24. The album is mainly comprised of ballads reminiscent of Broken Social Scene’s slower songs.

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Full Youtube Playlist

Spotify Playlist (missing Grimes – REALiTi)