Beautiful poison honey synth pop for a mental retreat - "Premonitions" Vaults

"Premonitions" Vaults

I heard this song on a Pitchfork Spotify playlist and my mind melted - "Premonitions" is a smooth electro pop dream, a perfectly timed blend of ominous sexy synth, head bobbing bass snaps, the whirs of a vacuum, and moving vocals reminiscent of a sweeter Portishead. The song builds and drops in the perfect places, and at 1:52 unleashes an incredibly satisfying, incessant synth sound like a Siren releasing a tractor beam of light to abduct you into the song momentarily. And there is nothing more wonderful than some strings (2:51) - do it up Vaults. This song takes me away for three minutes, and that's what this is all about, right?

How you'll move: An intoxicating head bob.

When to play it: When you're feeling like a sexual serial killer, or while high, lying on your floor looking to escape.

Side note: Vaults is a British group who released some limited music in 2014 but recently had a track featured on the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack. I absolutely love their other tracks and highly recommend "Lifespans" and "Mend This Love."

Solange evil sister synth throwback - "Julia" SZA

"Julia" SZA

I don't normally like artists with a "za" in their name, but SZA can be my exception. She's a 20-something, Jersey-something, indie-pop-electronic -something, but this song is a... let's say it together.. A HIT. It makes me feel like a heartbroken teen from the 80s. The hard-hitting alternating synth is the very satisfying meat of the song, and her doo-wop "ooohs" and reverb vocals are catchy - they make the electronic burble gurgle glitter of the song relatable and singable, and that perfect storm gets me every time.

How you'll move: A cool, pop lock version of The Carlton.

When to play it: Mid-way through your summer, hipster rooftop party.

Side note: The rest of the tracks from her EP "Z" really aren't like this one - they're more like a modern, electronic take on soul and R&B. The track "Green Mile" is notable.

All that and the kitchen sink sound tsunami - "Overdone" Bombay Bicycle Club

"Overdone" Bombay Bicycle Club

This song is like 15 songs in one - I am obsessed. First, let me say that I don't know a thing about this band other than that they wrote one of my absolute favorite songs "How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep," a random gem from a Twilight soundtrack that has now been sewn into the fabric of me and about which I blogged in 2010 - huzzah! Blogs were a lot shorter then, guys. Anyways, this song eases into a wonderful alarming, shrill loop, picks up with some jingly jangly chimes, then goes full on hip hop drums with a side kick of wind instruments. The vocals are so fantastically nasally and resonant; this song makes me feel like I am in the eye of a musical tornado. Love it. There is also a satisfying electric guitar what-sounds-like-straight-up-cowbell break. I mean, this is like a buffet of glorious sounds. I'm full.

How you'll move: Love it when you call me Big Poppa head nod with some smooth shoulders.

When to play it: When you're hungry on the inside.

Side note: Bombay Bicycle Club is playing shows at Webster Hall May 8th and 9th. Just saying.

Luther Vandross' poppy sexy grandson - "Gust of Wind" Pharrell

"Gust of Wind" Pharrell

I gave the new Pharrell album the proper listen it deserved, didn't fall in love, but there are certainly gems. I thought my jam was "Brand New" featuring Justin Timberlake, but upon a secondary listen I realized I was under the JT spell (got me again), and my favorite track is "Gust of Wind." The twangy guitar and playful bass is truly reminiscent of an 80s Luther Vandross song (think "Never Too Much"), and the strings make the song exciting and frantic and fun. It makes me feel happy and in love, even though the winter has made me hate all living things and inanimate objects, and that is a serious feat.

How you'll move: Like Justin Timberlake when he's putting a spell on you.

When to play it: When spring comes to the city and you can stroll the streets in the sun without a coat and with a smile.

Effortless echo slow roll high - "Waking Light" Beck

"Waking Light" Beck

Beck's latest album, "Morning Phase," is just like "Modern Guilt" in quality and cohesion. To me the songs are so well written and produced, each one is like a little symphony. "Waking Light" falls in line with the rest of the album, lurching and subdued. The song starts to build around the 3 minute mark, you think you're in for a wild rush of musical explosion and BAM, you're back to a snail's pace of delicious rich rock golden sludge. The best surprise is an extremely satisfying guitar solo in the song's last 45 seconds. It's a fantastic song, intended to be listened to in great headphones with your eyes closed.

How you'll move: You might not.

When to play it: Lying in the park, running your fingers through long blades of green grass.

Side note: Other notable tracks include "Blue Moon" and "Don't Let It Go."

2013 Year in Review - "Celebrate " Empire of the Sun

"Celebrate" Empire of the Sun

Now I can't review the best songs of the year without digging back into early 2013 and remembering all the gems that made my brain melt. It's not top of mind anymore, but Empire of the Sun's "Ice on the Dune" was one of the best albums of the summer, if not the year. "Celebrate" is not definitively my favorite track, but it feels like getting awesomely punched in the face by a crazy rainbow dance unicorn. It sparkles, the bass drops, there are perfect moments for falsetto sing-a-longs, there's a smooth galactic break around 2:30. It makes me feel like I'm without a care on top of the dancing sun world.

How you'll move: Loads of shoulders, crazy feet, big smiles - this is a full body endeavor.

When to play it: Pool party dancing in your bikini while buzzed.

Side note: Other notable tracks include "Awakening" and "Old Flavours," the former being the hippy cousin and the latter the more mature, enduring big brother of all three tracks.

2013 Year in Review - "Hannah Hunt" Vampire Weekend

"Hannah Hunt" Vampire Weekend

What a beautiful departure for Vampire Weekend. "Hannah Hunt" is a simple sleepy, sweetly-sang track that feels like a 3-minute movie about young love. Like all Vampire Weekend, it makes me feel like I'm breathing fresh air and feeling warm sun on my skin. But here I don't want to bop and dance. This particular song drags and searches and feels like what it's about, a young couple's wandering cross country road trip. The break in this song feels like a screaming fight turn storming out of a room turn sniffly hand-holding nap. That guitar warble meets piano feels like 1,000 heartbreaks.

When to play it: Lazy summer lie on the hammock while trying to re-evaluate your love life; tanning on a boat in a blue calm lake.

Side note: Other fantastic tracks include "Ya Hey," "Diane Young," and "Everlasting Arms."

2013 Year in Review - "Days are Gone" HAIM

"Days are Gone" HAIM

HAIM is breakout band of the year. And I'll admit it, I was a HAIM-hater off the bat. Saw that Williamsburg hair, those anemic arms, and bus stop billboards and thought pop barf. But after seeing them perform notably on SNL, I listened to their album in its entirety and learned a hard lesson: don't judge a band by its annoying mainstream publicity campaign and summer skirt/winter boot combos. My favorite song off the album is the title track, "Days are Gone." It's an incredible blend of old school R&B and 80s pop rock. It's a white, Jewish SWV track with perfectly-timed vocal distortions. The verse is power lady, and the chorus juxtaposes a fantastic sticky falsetto voice with the message, "Yo being in a relationship with you sucked." It's a great song for a young band and truly one of the best of 2013.

When to play it: Walking on an incline on the treadmill while lip syncing and doing sassy points with your fingers; anytime really.

How you'll move it: See above noted sassy points.

Side note: The entire album is a cohesive, well-written pop rock gem. Other notable tracks are "Falling," "Don't Save Me," "Go Slow," and "Let Me Go." Just buy the damn thing. Oh, and many bonus points for the bass player's ugly playing face.

2013 Year in Review - "Default" Atoms for Peace

"Default" Atoms for Peace

I'm alive! I'm back and I'm rusty, but I'm alive and I got on my good headphones and I'm ready to talk about the best music of the year. Please love me again! 2013 was 100% the year of pop music (unless you're someone else and it was 100% the year of indie folk rock). And I'll get to some of that, but I think I failed to pay attention to Thom Yorke's side baby Atoms for Peace, which has apparently been making electronic fans tweek and spaz for a solid year, and now I need to share. "Default" is a creepy, groovy, robot love jam. I'm obsessed. It's a fantastic mix of looming, running-through-the-woods video game bleeps and Radiohead-esque dramatic synth sounds. It moved me on first listen. Spaz and twirl away Yorke lovers.

When to play it: In good headphones while hacking for Anonymous.

How you'll move: Pigeon head bob.

Electro drum shoulder dance robot - "Night & Day" Hot Chip

"Night & Day" Hot Chip

I'm back! So it turns out getting a man-friend really impedes upon one's ability to seek out and blog about brain-melting jams. Toobadulations, I suppose. In an effort to revitalize my passion for all things rock, I was perusing Pitchfork and came across a surprisingly kick ass, live performance of Hot Chip's new single "Night & Day." And holy shiz, there isn't one thing wrong with this song! It's plain ol' fun. I would like to take drugs and dance to this song forever (sorry Mom).

When to play it: In any sweaty late-night dance party situation where people are dancing in tight quarters with their eyes closed.

How you'll move: A fast-paced version of the dance from the "Christmas Time is Here" SNL skit.

Side note: Music video features Reggie Watts, that super model with the gap teeth, and that scary British actor who looks like the Kool-Aid suicide cult leader. The new album, In Our Heads, will come out next week.

Slow melty folk wave of sparkles - "Street Joy" White Denim

"Street Joy" White Denim

So when I think of White Denim, I think of over-hyped indie music blog posts (not mine), and to be fair, I might be confusing White Denim with Harlem and Dum Dum Girls and other low-fi non-interests, but I just know... I don't like it! However, I heard a fantastic dreamy rock creation the other day, and what do you know, it's "Street Joy" by White Denim. It feels relaxing and magical and wishy washy but very classic and wholesome. It sounds like Hall & Oates meets MGMT meets new Band of Horses meets something sad that I love.

When to play it: Drinking red wine around your coffee table with friends on a winter's night.

How you'll feel: Like a melancholy movie scene mixed with a Jim Morrison high.

Electronic trash can-lid bass rock rave death dance - "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites" Skrillex

"Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites" Skrillex

Now I know you won't all be fans, BUT hear me out! Skrillex was the first music I heard on my very first day at Coachella - memorable shit for more than that reason! The music was industrial and dancey and spastic and extremely effing loud. It's non-stop head bobbing. Didn't think much of it until last week, when I saw that Skrillex was nominated for a bunch of Grammys. Jigga say whaaa? This track is Legend of Zelda meets Transformers meets Lawnmower Man meets a dance party. Give it a listen on great headphones.

Side note: If you want another cool Skrillex song and an INCREDIBLE video, check this out: First Of The Year (Equinox). Oh, and he has a new album out, Bangarang. Not mad at this one bit. Yo, I'm buying up all these albums!

Blues rock hammer vintage yellow - "Dead and Gone" The Black Keys

"Dead and Gone" The Black Keys

Ok, so I'm pretty sure we all agree that El Camino isn't as fantastic as Brothers; however, the new Black Keys album has a few solid brain-jilting hits including this post's feature: "Dead and Gone." This was the first song I heard on the new album (after "Lonely Boy"), and it made my head bob, foot tap, and mind tingle. I appreciate it's incessant beat, chanty chorus, and vintage recording quality. It's extremely catchy.

When to play it: On a happy morning.

How you'll move: Hopping and skipping around your bedroom in your tighty whities.

Side note: Another album favorite is "Little Black Submarines." This is some blues folk Led Zeppelin fusion shit.

Running wild savage explosion - "What The Water Gave Me" Florence + the Machine

"What The Water Gave Me" Florence + the Machine

Everyone loves Florence + the Machine, I get it. It's awesome and trendy like Arcade Fire's more mature beautiful aunt. Aunt Florence. But I still wasn't a die-hard until I randomly decided to purchase her new album in its entirety (and by randomly I mean after seeing everyone I ever met for one second listening to it on Spotify and posting it on Facebook). When I gave the album a first listen, I was also starting to read The Hunger Games. If you've read the book, you know it's about a crazy fight to the death in the woods. So I have to admit, my posting is tainted. Either this song DOES remind me of running wildly through the woods and jumping gleefully off a cliff into a rushing waterfall, OR I was reading too much fiction at the time. Either way, this song is incredible. It makes me feel alive and scary and powerful and big and small. The accompanying video is fantastic.

How you'll feel: Like Katniss Everdeen.

How you'll move: Combo hippie sway and cotton-eyed Joe crescendo foot stomp.

Side note: I need to blog about a few other songs from the album, so stay tuned!

BREAKING DAWN WEEK! Funky cowboy rock churn - "I Didn't Mean It" The Belle Brigade

"I Didn't Mean It" The Belle Brigade

It's my favorite time of the year! Twilight movie soundtrack release time! Ok so I'm a few days behind, but I made it, and I'm ready to reveal some album highlights. Today's jam is a rock pop White Stripes-meets-an-old-timey-cowboy-bar-piano hit! The foot-stomping lyrical repetition is gratifying, the bass is strong, and the classic rock electric guitar solo pops ya out of nowhere. Love it.

How you'll feel: Like a badass sexy cowboy in a dusty saloon.

How you'll move: A hip switch lip snarl combo.

Side note: This is a brother and sister duo (I found that out AFTER my White Stripes reference, so I wasn't far off!); they released their first album this year. Oh, and I'm excited to hear your response to the band and their performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Airy wings of rusty light love - "The Circle Married The Line"

"The Circle Married The Line" Feist

Holy eyes-closed smile this is my new warm soft sweater on the brisk music landscape of my life. I'm a simple Feist fan, not an enthusiast by any means, so I casually downloaded her new album, riskily "going for it," ending up so glad I did. "Metals" is thoughtful and deliberate, each song is a little gem. I love it - feels more folk than her hits, more personal than "Mushaboom" (listen to "The Bad in Each Other"). If "1,2,3,4" was a rainbow and "Intuition" is chest-warming liquor by candles then "The Circle Married The Line" is when you dream you're a flying bird and wake up happy. The sound is full; the album deserves a listen on your best headphones. At the very least, Leslie Feist's voice is simply beautiful.

When to play it: Lying happily in a sea of pillows; quitting your job and smiling and running down a sunny warm street to catch your true love before he gets on a train to leave forever!

Side note: Pretty sure you can sign up to hear the whole album streaming here. Funny enough, YouTube really isn't featuring any songs from the album yet, as it's a brand new release, but my chosen song had a great live performance video via KCRW.

Funky funky Cialis dance theme - "Take Your Time (Do It Right)" S.O.S. Band

"Take Your Time (Do It Right)" S.O.S. Band

God, they do NOT make songs like this anymore! So happy I heard this in a store last week, because I can't say S.O.S. Band would've been on my radar otherwise. Now I don't know if this song is about a woman encouraging her impotent boyfriend to "give it another shot" or a wife begging her husband to try bases 1 through 3 before hitting home, but I don't care, because it's amazing. This song is funky as shit, dance-worthy, and the lead singer's voice unleashes a fantastic growl that makes you feel like your very own disco sex tiger. And I don't know if that's a bass or a synthesizer, but any song with a tangible "bow wow wow" sound is good with me. YOU ARE WELCOME!

How you'll move: Hip bumps with your dancing neighbors.

When to play it: At your rollerskating birthday party while wearing an afro wig; any dance party with a worthwhile crowd.

Side note: Wikipedia told me that S.O.S. Band hits "are notable for popularizing the use of the Roland TR-808 drum machine (and its distinctive cowbell sound) in popular music." Touché S.O.S. Band, touché.

Bass drumming ominous play folk - "Can't Come Down" Sam Phillips

"Can't Come Down" Sam Phillips

Wowie wow wow! My first non-Beyonce inspiration in weeks! Heard about Sam Phillips on My Old Kentucky Blog, but apparently she's singer/songwriter extraordinaire, been around for ages. I'm not a huge "lady with a guitar" fan, but this sound is fulfilling; it makes me forget. We've got a booming bass drum, a hand-clapping toe-tapping head-shaking tempo, and a fun mixture of major and minor tones, all with a few instruments. Her voice is solid. Just solid. This is two minutes of pure musical enjoyment (sounds much better in Bose headphones on my iTunes then in this link, btw).

When to play it: When drinking a beer and smoking a cigarette by candlelight on your dark porch on a summer night.

How you'll move: Relaxed eye-closed toe-tap or aggressive finger-snap head bob.

Side note: Although this track is from '08, Sam Phillips' latest "thing" is "The Long Play," a year-long subscription program offering five EPs and a full-length album release, only available on her Web site. The latest release is "Solid State." I highly suggest you lend your ear to the streaming tracks on the site. Listen to "Throw Yourself Away" and "When I'm A Camera." I'm THIS close to buying the latest album in its entirety! THIS CLOSE!

Rich chill-inducing roar of love - "I Care"

"I Care" Beyonce

I love Beyonce, you love Beyonce, we ALL scream for ice cream! Oops. Well, you get the point. When I gave her new album a listen, I listened to "I Care" first, and it blew me away. It's not a kitschy hip-hop song, it's not a contrived sappy R&B song, and it's not an empty electronic pop song. The music is rich, her voice is moving. It feels just like the part of an argument where your boyfriend or girlfriend has done something wrong and smugly says, "What's the big deal? Who cares?" and you scream out "OH YEAH? WELL I DO!"

When to play it: Anytime!

Side note: Give "Start Over," "End of Time," and "I Was Here" a listen, too. If "4" isn't the spawn of Prince's family tree, I don't know what is!

Squinting gut wrenching R&B countdown - "10 Seconds" Jazmine Sullivan

"10 Seconds" Jazmine Sullivan

A month? ONE MONTH? I need to get it together. The peoplez need their song recommendations, the peoplez need the mind-blowing jamz. I'm letting down my peoplez! Hopefully my hit of the day will be an acceptable apology gift. This song is an R&B/pop/soul sensation. Not much better in the world than a song about cheating and heartbreak sung by a soulful scorned woman. Throw in some keyboards, some horns, and some empowering lyrics, and we got a hit. As you probably know, I'm not a lyrics snob, but the highlight of the song is a poetic punch in the gut in which Jazmine sings like she has one breath left for her threatening rant: "I called up my Mama-she called up my cousins-and they ain't never liked you from the beginning so listen-I'm giving you only 10 seconds to go..." There is something oh-so-satisfying about the "yeah, well my family always hated you!" statement. Sing it grrrl.

How you'll feel: Like an angry Lifetime movie wife (even if you can't relate).

How you'll move: A squinting wrenched-over-in-pain finger-pointing sway.

Side note: This song is off Jazmine's latest album, "Love Me Back," and I highly recommend these other gems: "Love You Long Time" and "Holding You Down" (you must add all three to your iTunes).