6 Must Hear Songs

Erin Lucas

By Erin Lucas
@Erin_Lucas

September 30, 2011

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1. REM, It's the End of the World As We Know It
I was first introduced to these guys by my older, much cooler cousin when I was still in my single digits. If I told you how many hours I spent trying to memorize every single word of this song, I would just die of embarrassment. Singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry formed R.E.M. in Athens, Georgia in 1980. Fast forward to 1996, after achieving mainstream success, they re-signed with Warner Bros. for a reported $80 million (the most expensive recording contract in history at the time!). A year later, Bill Berry left the band and the three continued as a trio. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. They are pioneers in the alternative rock genre, and after 30 years and 15 albums, they have officially called it quits. RIP R.E.M. Thanks for the great songs!

2. Real Estate, Green Aisles
This is such a dreamy song. Hard to believe these guys are from New Jersey! Singer/guitarist Martin Courtney, guitarist Matthew Mondanile, bassist Alex Bleeker and drummer Etienne Pierre Duguay formed Real Estate in 2008. They have supported Girls (ß from a recent mixtape), Kurt Vile, Woods and Deerhunter. This year, adding drummer Jackson Pollis to the roster, Real Estate signed with Domino Recording Co. and plan to release their sophomore album, Days, on October 18th. This is a single off of their new record.

3. Youth Lagoon, Afternoon
Some students spend their summer break at the beach. 22-year-old Trevor Powers spent his in his room recording an LP. The Boise State University English Lit major has now dropped out of school, quit his job at Urban Outfitters, and launched his first U.S. tour. After posting his first song as Youth Lagoon in May, Powers earned widespread industry buzz, signed a two-album deal with Fat Possum, and recorded his debut full-legnth, The Year of Hibernation, out September 27th. For his current tour, Powers teamed up with guitarist and longtime pal Logan Hyde. Check him out on tour if you can!

4. Toro Y Moi, All Alone
Chazwick Bundick, aka Toro Y Moi, is a 24-year-old from Columbia, South Carolina. His style is "ornately funky lounge pop, often with a live, improvisatory feel" and I feel like Judy Jetson would really dig this song. Bundick graduated from the University of South Carolina in the spring of 2009 with a degree in graphic design. During his time at school, he formed a close musical relationship with Ernest Greene (aka Washed Out ß from a recent mixtape). This is the single off his EP, Freaking Out, out September 13th. He's on tour through the end of October, check him out!

5. Little Dragon, Shuffle A Dream
Whatever mood you are in, this song will put you in a better one. I have such a girl crush on singer Yukimi Nagano. She is amazing. Swedish high school friends formed Little Dragon in Gothenburg in 1996. Little Dragon debuted in 2006 with their single Test, released by Off the Wall. A year later, they signed with Peacefrog Records and released their self-titled debut album. This song is off their third album, Ritual Union, released this past July. They're on tour right now, go see them!

6. Teen Daze, Surface
Teen Daze, aka bedroom producer Jamison, has been on repeat in my house. His atmospheric synth sound first gained acclaim when he posted his music to his Tumblr account. In mid-2010, he released his debut EP, Four More Years. Jamison played 2011's South by Southwest festival and toured Canada before his second EP, A Silent Planet, was released by Waaga in August 2011. This song is off this most recent album, inspired by the time he spent reading C.S. Lewis' Out of the Silent Planet during a seven-week stay in the Swiss Alps studying philosophy. He's playing in Miami and in Brooklyn soon, so if you're in either place go check him out!


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