Wavves – So Bored
(from dublab)
Awesome slacker anthem from a 22-year-old skateboarding San Diegan, which combines the solid fuzz of Sonic Youth with Julian Casablancas's churlish growl. One thing dude: Gen X apathy is so bogus now. Get out there and get active, OK?
Bon Iver – Blood Bank
(from Rubin Recommends)
Brand new material from 2008's other critics' darlings. Does it match up to Justin Vernon and the boys' debut? Did Vernon write hits in the woods?
Zarif – Let Me Back
(from MySpace via Popjustice)
Things we learned from Motown, part 1: There's nothing like farty brass to lift an average track into pop supremacy.
Kelly Clarkson – My Life Would Suck Without You
(from Pretty Much Amazing)
Clarkson's latest power-pop tidbit as reviewed by Pretty Much Amazing readers: "I don't even know if I'd like this back then when I was a Top 40 droid – Anon"; "One has to admit this woman has a tremendously powerful voice – Kelly Fan"; "Song sucks, but I'd still hit it – Nate." Thank you, Nate.
TM Juke – Get It Together
(from Tonegents)
Epic museum-piece hip-hop that harks back to A Tribe Called Quest's masterful Midnight Marauders album. And nary a squeak of Phil Collins in the mix. Praise be.
