October 2018 Elle King “Natural Pretty Girls” King’s initial single from her sophomore effort showcases a songwriter getting comfortable in her own voice. With its jagged guitar tone and well placed backbeat, it builds a nice edgy quality that fortifies the lyrical content about feeling different, not beautiful and in contrast to every other girl out there. Elle’s always had a one foot in/one foot out quality and this is one more showcase of that image

With Confidence “Moving Boxes” The Aussie trio have homogenized the pop-punk perfection of the late 2000’s, showing that with time, effort and appreciation from the totally opposite side of the world, they can showcase genre’s songwriting and production qualities as a kind of pop that is often sadly overlooked and underappreciated.

The Carters “APESHIT” This power-duo doesn’t need me talking about this song but it’s great to see two of the greatest artists in their respective genres find a way to create a modern track without feeling disingenuous. Also, as a personal fan of Jay-Z, his opening line might be one of his best, “I'm a gorilla in the fuckin' coupe/ Finna pull up in the zoo/ I'm like Chief Keef meet Rafiki—who been lyin' "King" to you?”

DJ Kalid “No Brainer” DJ Kalid simply makes some genuinely fun music. Dancey, major key party music – even utilizing Bieber to deliver the hook and chorus is a smart production move. Adding two of the biggest rappers from widely different styles, Chance The Rapper and Migos’ Quavo, show’s Kalid’s ability to make a songs’ sum greater than its parts.

Banks “Crowded Places” Lush brooding, the track creates enormous space, allowing for the song to build and create a soothingly emotionally honest landscape.

Benny Blanco “Eastside” Slowly building a well thought out percussive texture, the song opens up to eventually showcase another powerful guest spot by Halsey.

Arizona “Oceans Away” The reverb heavy track has an ability to show off each instrumentation, guitar being perfectly placed in the middle of the mix between vocals and drums, the sound is smooth and calming.

Post Malone “Sunflower” Another artist that doesn’t need more recognition but damn, just from the sheer tonal quality of his vocals shows what kind of artist he is. Its raw but controlled, pointed yet emotionally honest – a modern equivalent to Eddie Vedder.

Zac Clark “All You’re Gonna Do” A piano pop that harkens back to legends like Elton John and Warren Zevon, Clark’s vocals are crisp with a catchy chorus that you could put up against any modern of the singer-songerwriters like Sheeran, Mendes and DeGraw.

Fucked Up “Normal People” The Canadian post-hardcore are long time purveyors of pushing the boundaries of the genre – known for concept albums and 5+ minute long punk songs. Normal People is a continuation of that pursuit and is well-crafted, expertly layered and dynamically intelligent.

Panic At The Disco “High Hopes” Panic has a funny career path. From the most popular, “myspace bands” to its original line-up’s split-up to its current formation which is essentially singer and frontman, Brendan Urie. The first single from their 6th album, is just another track in the pantheon of their catalog that has a tight wrapped chorus melody, beautifully built on top of a great backing track, with its perfect use of a horn section.

April 2018 AJR “Sober Up” An alternative pop song featuring the king of alternative pop, Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo. A unique use of violin as the rhythm track and a layering of percussion that is akin to any disciple of The Beatles.

Suenalo “305” An electro-hip-hop Latin track that belongs as much in a video game as any car stereo in south Florida. Just a generally fun track that uses the traditional Latin horns and drum beats in an engaging, high energy mix.

WalkTheMoon “One Foot” The lead single from the band’s follow up to their crossover hit, “Shut Up and Dance”. The band is clearly focusing on both returning to their alternative rock roots while pushing their songwriting further in a complex, genre bending route. They gracefully make this track work both in a radio single and a potential dance track.

Bishop Briggs “White Flag” A moody, minor key track that makes sure to hit its high note in the chorus which is destined for any great film trailer or sportscenter highlight.

Grandson “Blood // Water” A dark and brooding track with a cool pre-chorus that builds into a breakdown that is trippy and uses a multitude of textures to create a chaotic landscape.

Judah & The Lion “Going To Mars (!)” One of the more promising up and coming bands out there, Judah & The Lion layer some interesting hip-hop influences over top of traditional rock and singer-songwriter musicianship.

Neon Trees “Feel Good” A pop-rock radio mainstay for the last decade, Neon Trees quietly released a genuinely enjoyable pop track that continues to establish their fingerprint within their pop sensibility.

Dashboard Confessional “We Fight” My late teens were laced with Dashboard’s initial run in popularity. A sensitive kid, DC’s material was the mount Everest of emo punk for me – hyper emotional, raw and genuine. In retrospect, the material didn’t have the muscle that Dashboard’s Carrabba later works have – deft use of dynamics, emotional yet pointed lyrics and a rock sound that is more in line with its classic rock influence then the sloppy punk that Chris came from prior to when he founded Dashboard.

The Killers “Run For Cover” The alternative rock kings for the last decade and a half, this track is an example of how frontman Brandon Flowers rights best – with a driving rhythm section. Much like his old hits, Spaceman, Somebody Told Me or When You Were Young, ‘Cover’s sweet spot is its fast verses, a moving (like physically, not emotionally) track that is right for the band’s core fanbase.

Dorothy “Flawless” Up and coming band whose named after the front (wo)man. The song showcases lead singer, Dorothy Martin’s well textured vocals that are supported by a band that knows when to step into the proverbial spotlight and when to back up to allow for a heartfelt, smartly recorded production.

January 2018 The Unlikely Candidates “Violence” Active rock act out of Texas is building off the space that Imagine Dragons has carved for themselves. Heavy percussions, big choruses and overdriven vocals creates a nice atmospheric tone that would be perfect for sync to a dirty crime movie or dark ‘binge-worthy’ TV show.

Louis Futon “Rewind” DJ/Producer, Futon combines a couple of fun vocalists to build out a positive forward track with a happy tone with catchy melodies and nice layering of horns, keys and drums.

Fall Out Boy “Champion” FOB continue to develop the second phase of their career with “Champion”. Ready-made stadium anthems with a braggadocious tone that hits where a lot of rock doesn’t – self-confidence, think Kayne’s ego meets Queen’s ability to create unity.

LEON “Think About You” Swedish indie diva, LEON creates a lush ballad with a beautifully toned piano track that matches somber but stable vocals that makes for a great and easily listenable track.

Steve Moakler “Siddle’s Saloon” Moakler, PA naitive and Nashville songwriter creates a nice picture of a family’s old haunt. An upbeat track about going to a place for the good times and the bad. It can remind you of your favorite watering hole and if you don’t have one, it makes you wish you had one.

Bebe Rexha “Meant To Be” Yeah, yeah yeah, FGL, who guest on this track aren’t The Beatles nor are they the most progressive songwriters in Nashville but they can write a catchy hook and this song has that. Just play it once and in the dark part of the night, you’ll hear Tyler’s voice rolling around in your head.

Old Dominion “No Such Thing As A Broken Heart” One of the recent breakthrough country acts, compiled of songwriters, Old Dominion’s first single from their sophomore record is a solid track that delivers a solid, if a little thin, message of continued positivity. Think of it as a well written country song version of those cat posters.

The Gospel Youth “Mood Like English Weather” Ever since the breakthrough of the UK band, You Me At Six, English pop-punk has shown a great respect for early 2000’s emo/pop-punk. Well-built riffs, catchy vocals and hard driving choruses. The debut album from The Gospel Youth is no different and is a welcome reminder of a formidable time in my musical youth. 

Gin Wigmore “Cabrona” Gin, a very underrated pop singer who’s raspy timbre differentiates her from her fellow female pop rockers. Gin has a great ability to combine multiple musical styles in to a simple fun tune.

JD McPherson “Let The Good Times Roll” McPherson, a passionate fan of early rock and roll, creates new music that feels old but without feeling retro. Built on simple backbeats, his music is a solid soundtrack to drive to.  

July 2017 Off With Their Heads “Clear The Air” Ex-Dillenger Four Minneapolis quartet that built a solid crunchy punk rock anthem that is akin to classic Face To Face or Lawrence Arms. Catchy, screaming vocals supplemented with heavy barre chords and a simplistic driving rhythm section.

HAIM “Little of Your Love” I’ve been a big fan of these sisters for a while. They are seriously putting out some of the most genuinely well-crafted music of the past decade. It’s music that is absence of genre specifics – makes it feel old and new at the same time. This particular song could easily have been a Jackson 5 or a Justin Timberlake track. Old meets new.

Zara Larsson “Lush Life” Sweedish pop celebrity, Larsson is putting out catchy tunes with a nice bass beat, pleasant textures and a generally fun summer song.

The Shelters “Rebel Heart” It’s always fun when American bands copy UK sounds. The Shelters sound like they could have opened for Herman Hermits or early Stones. Garage twang, soft melodies and a solid reproduction of a sound that has been confused as being more than just a simple rock song.

Hailee Steinfeld “Love Myself” I’m too old and too male to like this song but when it comes to a modern pop track, it does what it’s supposed to. Has a positive message supported by a dynamic, EDM-esque chorus. It doesn’t need to be genius but the well thought out rhythms in it help deliver something a little better than what you expect it to be.

From First To Last “Make War” Good active rock is hard to find – this band, who’s been working hard to get some recognition, has put out a solid rock song that drive hard when it needs to, especially utilizing the double kick drum that makes sure you know they know their metal.

Sundra Karma “She Said” A solid dancey indie rock track that is fun, upbeat and easy to listen to.

Hot Water Music “Never Going Back” I have a bias for these guys. They are amazing punk rock troubadours who’ll never get the recognition they deserve but whenever they get back together, they show how it’s supposed to be done. Chuck Regan’s grizzled vocals deliver earnestness that is perpetually rare in music. They lay it all out there – and have been for 20+ years.

Jason Isbell “Hope For The High Road” Isbell’s third post-sober release is another critical high point. The man, who wrote some of my favorite Drive-By Truckers’ material, seems to keep finding a way to craft songs that push boundaries of rock, country, Americana and folk – looking to make his music absence of any tag or frame of reference.

Forrest Fire Gospel Choir “Fancy You” Nashville has a tendency to create similar acts. When Caleb Followill, lead vocals for Kings of Leon calls the city his home, it’s hard not to copy his signature vocals. FFGC creates a great rock sound that is more in line with a traditional sound but with that similar vocal stylings as KOL, they create tracks that have space but emotion.

May 2017 White Reaper “The World’s Best American Band” Kentucky natives putting out an enjoyable garage rock album that honors 70’s arena rock and solid guitar licks.

Paramore “Hard Times” The queen of pop punk, Haley Williams is showing off with her band’s first release in 3 years that they aren’t going to be held to any one genre. With a clear and present homage to 80’s dance pop, Paramore is actively trying to carve their own space while grown gracefully with their fans.

Mona “In The Middle” One of the more underrated rock bands working today, Mona lives and dies by their lead singer, Nick Brown’s amazingly operatic vocals. The band fell, wrongly, into the post-Kings Of Leon indie rock rush of the late 2000s. The band isn’t afraid to write big songs, layered and interestingly structured, “In The Middle” goes off the rails only for Brown and company to bring it back.

Alessia Cara “Wild Things” I see Alessia as one of principle members of the next round of pop stars. Alessia, great with her emotive singing qualities hit it big with 2016’s breakthrough single, Scar to Your Beautiful but “Wild Things” shows off her ability to create solid melodies, rhythmic textures and dynamics that are both dance worthy but also quality in their simple listening nature.

Lukr “Fucked Up Summer” A piano ballad that harkens back to Something Corporate in their prime. The pre-chorus is a delightfully guilty pleasure that reminds this emo punk kid of the heroes of the genre when I was in high school.

The Menzingers “Lookers” My brother and I have coined this record, ‘adult punk rock’. With a heavy weight of the lyrics on post-30 reflections, these Philly punk troubadours have found a voice that is relatable yet personal.

Sheer Mag “Fan The Flames” These Philly garage rockers may never cross into a well recognizable place in the genre but they are solid, earnest approach to the scene. One of those acts that will do whatever they want musically regardless of the applause. Which, in it of itself, garners the applause.

Pretty Vicious “Cave Song” Welsh rockers that come to the table with a bombastic sound that is clearly well built from the UK rock scene. Akin to Arctic Monkeys, The 1975 or The Fratellis. These guys produce short and sweet rock tunes.

Bleachers “Don’t Take The Money” Jack Antonoff’s side project was once something to pass the time between Fun. records but it became clear to Jack and the rest of the world that Fun. was actually the side project. The guy who’s worked with some of pop’s biggest names has held on to some legitimate good tracks for himself. With an honest approach to reviving the John Hughes era pop rock genre, Jack develops a sound that is both modern and fondly reminiscent of a more tongue-in-cheek era of pop music.

Spring King “Detroit” Another dirty garage band but fuck if this song isn’t just a fun rock tune that shows off its love for the band’s hometown city. As a Philadelphian, there is a parallel between Detroit and Philly, two cities that are easy to poke fun at but that makes us even more proud of our roots so when there’s someone showing off that love, even if it’s not my city their talking about, it can’t help but make ya sympathetic.

March 2017

K. Flay “Blood in the Cut” Indie hip-hop artist is showing off on an amazing, deeply brooding track. The beat is dope, delivering a dark tone that doesn’t forget to drive through the song with peaks and valleys. The hooks are there, the layers are thick and deserves to be sync’d to the next cred-worthy True Detective.

NEEDTOBREATHE “Money + Fame” These guys have been putting out legit good material for nearly a decade and going without popular acclaim. They have a, deservedly so, passionate niche of fans. While there has also been growth from album to album, their 2016 release, HARD LOVE shows their dedication to texture within their studio work. Well produced material that’s been founded on six albums of touring prove these guys know what they are doing and doing it well.

Corinne Bailey Rae “The Scientist” I’m not a fan of Coldplay, I find their material to be bland, forcefully emotional and without dynamic range. But, this track, as proven by the many stellar covers of it (see Willie Nelson’s 2010 version) show the quality of writing there. Maybe Chris Martin is a great songwriter and it gets lost in the mess of turning it into a full band song? Who knows but CBR’s version is subtle, understated and shows off her abilty to draw a listener in with context and emotional empathy.

Miranda Lambert “We Should Be Friends” Lambert, who was once part of country music’s power couple has shown that her ability to put out good music has nothing to do with her personal life, her double LP (who does that nowadays?!) is great proof that she wants to be put into the pantheon of country music legends – music first, image second. A girl who’s written about killing ex’s to some of her more sappy ballads, Lambert is out to make music she wants to make and “Friends” is no exception. With the exception of a few modern country music lyrical requirements (“daddy said”) the track feels genuine to her and who she wants to be known as.

Dave Hause “My Mistake” I’ve loved everything this guy has done. A big fan of his breakthrough band, The Loved Ones, Dave’s been a punk rock troubadour, finding his own voice in a sea of a punk rock scene getting older. Dave has always been able to craft a melody that is catchy as hell and always carries a clear and deliberate weight of its words – none of his songs feel like a sugar coated emptiness.

The Wreck “Favorite Liar” As soon as I knew these guys are managed by Richard and Stephanie Reines, founders of Drive-Thru Records, I literally said out loud (to no one), “OH THAT MAKES SENSE”. These guys are great – building a bouncy, engaging sound that is clearly the next step to those Drive-Thru bands that were so addicting to listen to (see New Found Glory, The Starting Line, Something Corporate). It’s got the dynamics of slow/fast/slow/even faster that makes for a great pop-punk song. Try to get it out of your ear.

Royal Tusk “Curse The Weather” This is a fuckin’ rock song. Chunky guitars, thick vocals and unwavering rhythm section. It’s if The Used and STP had a bastardized baby. From the sharply biting guitar solo to the off the rails outro, this is a shining example (along with Goodbye June) that real rock bands can still exist.

Ed Sheeran “Castle on the Hill” Like this guy needs anyone talking about him. I never liked his stuff but this is one of those tracks that’s a shot across the bow of his fanbase. A look back to better times, a sad remembrance for your formative year- shit, most of his fans aren’t even in their formative years yet. But this song hits at the right time, personally, old enough to want to go back but not too old to forget what it was like.

Jake McMullen “Giving Up” A soft ballad that sounds as if Aaron Nevile sung for Crowded House. The reverb is well placed to provide that late 80’s feel but each instrument is well placed in the mix, creating a nice well balance feel to the track. And come on, if you sound like Aaron Nevile, you’re going to create a great emotional heft to the lyrics.

Donovan Woods “Leaving Nashville” A perfect ballad for songwriting in my adopted city. It’s so heavy in it’s emotional weight – it is what every songwriter wants to convey – a personal point of view woven through a beautiful melody. And a slow drawing slide guitar never hurts either.

Distinct Life “Detroiters Theme” First off, y’all should watch the show, Detroiters, it’s a lovely mix of Sunny and Workaholics. This song is a great translation to the show, a happy, bumping track that shows off it’s love for everything around you.

February 2017 White Horse “Boys Like You” An interesting pair of songwriters who were ‘once’ married. The syncopated drums and the hook deliver a unique take on an often-standard singer/songwriter sound.

Ryan Adams “Do You Still Love Me? Ok, I get it, I live in East Nashville, to steal the Wayne’s World joke, you get Ryan Adams records in mail with samples of Tide. But damn, the new record is good. The lead track on the album, has a huge feeling as if he recorded it in an empty hockey arena. Big and raucous with great stereo panning with about 17,000 guitar tracks makes for a wink and a nod to the arena rock of the 70’s.

Julia Michaels “Issues” The simple beat to the upcoming indie pop starlet’s debut single is catchy as hell and her delivery of the lyrics is poised for some awesome remixes in the near future. She builds the melody to a crescendo that drills right through your brain.

Childish Gambino “Redbone” CG’s at the height of it all right now. This track that has a lush 70’s soul meets 60’s jazz feels like it should have a Hype Williams video attached to it. He’s pushing mainstream hip-hop in very interesting directions.

Zac Brown Band “My Old Man” Alight, I’m a dad and shit like this will get me all the time. 3 years ago, this song might of come off as contrite and pedestrian but when you can imagine your son in it, shit done changed. Mainstream country has always made this a thing – build a song that establishes a fondness for a former time or a person who’s no longer here. Zac, who’s always tried to keep one foot outside mainstream country, slips into the pratfall here. Most of the song is bland but ends up redeemed when he brings the song back to the present. Not his best work but damn, I ‘dad-ed out’ listening to this one.

Night Riots “Nothing Personal” Akin to 1975, Young The Giant or Alt-J, these guys pull in influence from hard rock to 80’s dance pop. This allows a song like this to hold an edge while keeping a beat and melody that is approachable to a wider audience.

Judah & the Lion “Take It All Back” Alight, I can’t get this hook out of my head. It’s built off of the post-Sublime, hip-hop, rasta meet Americana influence. These local Nashvillians are building a following and it can be heard in lead vocalists, Judah Akers emotive delivery.

Goodbye June “Oh No” A dirty, gritty hard driving track that if it could smell, it would smell of stale beer and used cigarettes. Each part is from moment one, headed to go off the rails but never does, which is a great place for a solid, straight-up rock and roll song.

Fripps & Fripps “Get Your End Wet” Electro-pop indie rock Aussie quartet that brings in interesting ways to be dynamic yet still be fun, light and an easily enjoyable track.

Welcome Home “Solitude” A post-hardcore quintet from Saint Louis that clearly focuses on the production of their material, with a deep layering of heavy guitars, a focus on well-established dynamics and heart on your sleeve lyrics that are akin to some of their contemporaries like Real Friends or The Wonder Years.

January 2017 Jeff Rosenstock “Wave Goodnight To Me” Former front man for experimental punk rock collaborative group, Bomb The Music Industry, Rosenstock is now on his third solo record and the first single is a great, sloppy punk rock mess, and I mean that in the best intentions. Group shouted choruses, jangly guitar riffs and a rolling drumbeat, if you grew up under the same punk rock influences as Jeff, you will enjoy his take on the ever-classic material.

Dawes “Roll With The Punches” Dawes is a band that perpetually sits in the mix of the Americana rock scene that is ever present in modern rock. Kid brother to Band of Horses or Alabama Shakes, Dawes doesn’t ever get, pun intended, their fair shake. “Punches” shows off the bands ability to be more than some sweet harmonies and acoustic guitars. Excellently produced and well pointed lyrics, the track shows off that the band can go out and become their own thing without constantly being compared to their brethren.

Joseph “White Flag” A sister trio act (two of whom are twins) let their genetic ability to harmonize shine through. A solid protest song with a very cool percussion backing, “White Flag” is a great debut track to a trio that can very much make big waves in the Americana scene.

Drive-By Truckers “Guns of Umpqua” One of my all-time favorite bands have found their voice again. After a couple forgettable records, the band, specifically principle songwriters, Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley, found inspiration in the tumultuousness of 2016 politics. “Guns”, which tells the story of one of the many mass shootings last year, shows what Hood was always so amazing at – painting a deeply dark scene in an amazingly intimate perspective. Empathy for those that lost their lives, displaying the simplicity of that morning and the imagery that might be embedded in someone during a horrific life-changing moment. If a song done this well, can’t help inspire passion for the gun control movement, not exactly sure what can.

Alex Vargas “Higher Ground” A smooth, dark and moody R&B track that is eloquently layered and well-built dynamically.

Bright Light Social Hour “Harder Out Here” Theme to Amazon’s newest breakout show, Sneaky Pete highlights one of Austin’s hidden bands. BLSH has been a favorite for a while, akin to Gary Clark Jr., the band contributes to that Austin blues rock sound. Gritty, emotionally dynamic but full of rock. I also can’t complain about a track that excellently highlights a cool bassline.

Tiny Moving Parts “Volumes” A great band that is improving on the early 2000’s emo/punk scene. Reminiscent of Glassjaw or early Jimmy Eat World, TMP messes with unique time signatures, unique guitar lines but knows where it’s bread is buttered, in its great chorus.

Kaleo “Way Down We Go” Sometimes, it takes another medium to allow you to hear a song in a new way. Case in point, this year’s newest Wolverine movie, Logan released a new trailer highlighting rock’s newest darlings, Kaleo. Poised to be the next Hozier or Kings of Leon ties to what looks like the best blockbuster of 2017, shows pairing of two great media bringing the best out of each other.

The Weeks “Buttons” Long time rock act The Weeks has a passionate underground following. “Buttons” is one of those tracks that shows off why that following isn’t wrong. Perfect in its dynamics and melodic in both its choruses and its verses (the hook is great) – just a solid rock tune.

Chance The Rapper “No Problem” 2016’s hip-hop darling, “No Problem” will be one of Chance’s iconic tracks. Its beat is fun and inventive but not too far off in left field and then its hook, which many recent hip-hop tracks have seem to actively avoid is catchy as hell. It’s a great hope that hip-hop can stay melodic and still push boundaries.

December 2016 Against the Current “Running with the Wild Things” A female-led pop-punk band can’t help but draw comparisons to Paramore. However, this young band still delivers solid melodically driven rock tunes, with this one being a stand-out on their newest release. A solid 3+ minute catchy pop-punk tune that would be up there with anything Halee and crew would write.

You Me At Six “Swear” A mainstay in UK punk rock bands, YM@6 continues to put out solid material, rivaling any of their best American counterparts. A hard driving bass line, drum beat that helps accent Josh Franceschi’s vocal melody.

Captain Cuts “Love Like We Used To” A great dancey white boy pop tune. These guys are well established producers and co-writers, drafting up some of the latest pop tunes of the last few years (see Walk The Moon’s Shut Up and Dance). This can’t help but recall Timberlake or Bruno Mars, a taste of the past but as relevant as anything else on the radio.

Rag’n’Bone Man “Human” A soulful, dark folk track that has a thick bass track, simple drumbeat. What really shines is Rory’s vocals – guttural and emotional, this brit could easily be mistaken for a resident musician from the Mississippi delta.

Us The Duo “(Stop) Just Love” A husband and wife duo pulls in the Hammond B3 and some great soul sounds to create a sweetly romantic and hopefully track. The whole song creates a warm atmosphere with well established harmonies and perfectly balanced instrumentation.

Gnash “I hate u, I love u” A somber pop piano ballad. The track is spacious and creates a ruminating feeling of sorry and emptiness.

Drake “One Dance” Ok so this just got to me. I’m not the biggest Drake fan but the few tracks I’ve heard of Views have caught me from a guilty pleasure standing. Hotline Bling cannot be denied of that status. And One Dance has come in a close second, nothing like a Canadian rapper-slash-actor singing in a semi-reggae melody to make a challenge for a guilty pleasure track.  

The Weeknd “Starboy” The opening track of Weeknd’s newest record, Starboy establishes a growing musician that still knows what is his expertise – minor key, emotionally dynamic dance tracks. With assistance from Daft Punk, Starboy is going to be another notch on The Weeknd’ s ever growing catalog.

The XX “On Hold” The male/female vocals of The XX show off their contrast here on their newest release. Add in the undeniably catchy DJ backbeat, this is a lush, moody track from British indie group.

Alex Da Kid “Not Easy” British producer responsible for some of the more complex pop hits of the last decade pulls in some friends to create a simple but well balanced pop ballad. From X Ambassadors to Elle King to Wiz Kalifa, Not Easy shows of Alex’s abilty to develop material that pulls in interesting textures but maintains stable and proven structure to a pop track.

November 2016 Brand New “I Am a Nightmare” I’ve already written about these guys this year but as they continue to trickle out material throughout the year, it continues to prove that they are in a league of their own. Catchy, aggressive melodic punk that could be a part of a larger work of material or just a single track that is contextually thick. It doesn’t matter it’s great either way.

Deaf Havana “Trigger” One of my new favorite bands. A UK band that’s flown under the radar here in the states. Great material, dynamically strong, melodically catchy and a chorus that opens up like it was destined for radio and sync on multiple properties.

PVRIS “You and I” Part of a rise of EDM based pop-rock. It’s dark and moody, layered with multiple musical textures but when it all comes together, feels a natural fit.  

Elenowen “For the Taking” An acoustic folk track that is perfect for the autumn weather. It’s somber, simple track that has great vocal harmony in the chorus.

99 Percent “Does Ya Mama Know You Dance Like That?” Ok – I’m the dad of a toddler. And sometimes, this stuff falls into your lap. A dancey pop song that gets little kids moving. It’s dumb but fun, but whatever – beats a lot of things kids want to listen to.

Halsey “Colors” Halsey’s debut single, “New Americana” was a good start, “Colors” shows off her ability to create a legit good pop song akin to Sia or Lady Gaga mix with a hard rock persona.

William Elliot Witmore w/Esme Patterson “Not Feeling Any Pain” Patterson makes a second guest spot this year. Her vocals shine on this track, showing off a vulnerable yet strong guttural quality that makes a simple acoustic track shine with emotion.

Young in the City “Annie” With a sound that feels ripped from a ballad from an 80’s John Hughes movie, the Seattle foursome create a world that shares just as much of an emotion context with The River-era Springsteen. The instrumentation is open, leaving space in the material that expands the depth of the vocals – about a cold, dark and lonely evening drive.

The Suffers “Make Some Room” A nine-member soul group from NOLA, The Suffers, much like their southern brethren pull heavily and obviously from their influences from Muscle Shoals era Aretha to Al Green to Marvin Gaye. While it is impossible to get even close to the stratosphere of the material from those legends, The Suffers, create some enjoyable music that taps a vein that is always worth it.

Japandroids “Near to the Wild Heart” One of my favorite bands coming from a four year absence, the Canadian duo don’t try to reinvent themselves, they know who they are and have perfected a science of creating a driving, upbeat, ‘drink a beer and shout the chorus’ sound.

October 2016 Modern Baseball “Everyday” Another up and coming act from Philly’s indie-punk scene. Modern Baseball matches a good mix of garage rock, shoegazing indie rock and melodic post-punk. The band’s focusing on guitar/bass layering show that they are interested in creating legitimate musical textures within their genre.

Car Seat Headrest “Fill in the Blank” Talk about garage rock! Will Toldeo, essentially Car Seat Headrest, puts out material that is gritty, lo-fi but contains well-built songwriting.

COIN “Talk Too Much” Unlike most acts coming out of Nashville, COIN is putting out dancey alternative rock tunes akin to Walk The Moon or Neon Trees. It’s catchy, hook driven music that is easy to listen to and perfect to playlists like this – a bridge to fill gaps between a wide variety of material.

Shakey Graves “Dearly Departed” Americana darling, Shakey Graves is poised for a big 2017. This track from his 2014 album, And The War Came, is proof that the guy can create some amazing material. With a driving beat, hook-driven melody and a perfectly paired duet with Esme Patterson, it’s easy to not pay attention to some well-crafted lyrics.  

The Eyes “Lady Wisdom” With almost no info on this act – they are a perfect example of the beauty of Spotify. Good material is easy to find these days. These guys have a vibe that is reminiscent of Kings of Leon. They have a understanding of creating space in song, making their material feel expansive, deep and contextually large.

Teddy Thompson “You Took My Future” Considered a part of British folk royalty, Teddy might be known as the son of Richard and Linda Thompson but I’ve been a fan of his own material for a while now. His 2006 album, Separate Ways is a very underrated record. His newest release, a duet record with Kelly Jones continues to show his own prowess for songwriting. “Future” is ripped from a classic country vibe and stripped to its folk/Americana core. Thompson’s vocals show a vulnerability that brings out an emotional core that is hard to find in current country music and make you remember the talents of George Jones or Hank Sr.

Big Gigantic “C’Mon” EDM is a hard genre for me to really appreciate. With a true appreciation for the live element of performance, I’ve always found it difficult to see the talent behind EDM artists. With that said, this track is frankly just a great dance beat, it pulls in elements from hip-hop, soul and jazz to create a melting pot of a song – making for a great party tune.

Saint Motel “Move” Alt-rockers, who sometime can find themselves writing mellow tunes have another hit on their hands. A follow up to their 2014 breakout, “My Type”, this track also incorporates the bands horn section perfectly as well as a well-established rhythm section but hell, you call a song, it better have one!

Chainsmokers “Closer” I can’t get enough of this one. It’s catchy as hell, the finger snaps, claps and layering of interesting percussive elements are all background to a great melody over a minor key. Halsey’s guest spot is also another spotlight for this great tune and shows off that she’s poised to be the next Haley Williams.

Blood Orange “E.V.P.” Another great beat driven song – reminds me of a new jack swing song from the early 90’s. A softly layered chorus adds a new break from the ordinarily crafted material.

June 2016 Violent Soho “Covered In Chrome” An Aussie post-hardcore band with a heavy influence in grunge dynamics. The pre-chorus rings of Taking Back Sunday, Brand New and the Long Island punk scene of the early 2000’s.

Aaron West and The Roaring Twenties “67, Cherry Red” A conceptual musical project by the frontman of one of my favorite modern bands, The Wonder Years, Dan Campbell chronicles the downward spiral of a fictional character whose having one hellva bad year. The lead single off the band’s 7” is a continuation to his 2014 LP, We Don’t Have Each Other. The character, Aaron, find himself with his late father’s corvette and the faint hints of sadness of missing a loved one mixed with the somber remembrance of happier times is just one more proof that Dan is producing some of the best material in his genre and possibly in modern music.

Handguns “Self Portrait” There was a great time in pop-punk where movie clip intros were all the rage. This song not only uses a Little Miss Sunshine intro clip but the chorus melody and guitar work would have fit perfectly on a Drive-Thru or Vagrant band’s deep cut.

CHVRCHES “Bury It” A great little indie band that’s quickly becoming a mainstay in the genre benefits on this track from rock’s version of Taylor Swift, Haley Williams. Williams, like Swift is consistent in putting out her own quality material through her band, Paramore, but it’s her guest spots that show off her unique talent; finding a way to make the material her own while not overshadowing the other performers.

Young The Giant “Something To Believe In” YTG may never get the hits like My Body or Cough Syrup again but they are still putting out material that sounds honest and genuine to the band they want to be. This new single off their new album, Home of the Strange will continue those efforts.

Marah “Faraway You” Philly bar band veterans have a long catalog of material but I stumbled back on this one from their critical breakthrough album, Kids in Philly. The opening track of that record is a personal watermark for me, a song that I listened to that summer. It was the first summer I had my driver’s license, first girlfriend and a sense of independence that was certainly tied to my car stereo.  

Justin Timberlake “Can’t Stop The Feeling” Leave it to Justin to put out such a catchy song for such a silly movie. Pulling from Off The Wall-era Michael Jackson, it’s dancey, simple and dynamic. Simply put, this is a terminator dedicated to be the song of the summer.

Courtney Barnett “Three Packs a Day” I know I have a love for any music that draws inspiration from anything from the 90’s. Barnett’s no different – it’s part garage band and part Lilith Fair folk rock. It sounds like it could have come from Sixpence None The Richer or Liz Phair or Violent Femmes or even Pinkerton-era Weezer.

Sturgil Simpson “Welcome To Earth (Pollywog)” Simpson, like Jason Isbell, Chris Stapelton or even Eric Church is putting out some of the most progressive country music out there these days while somehow sounding appropriately in the pantheon of some of the legends of the genre. The opening track to Simpson’s ambitious third album, A Sailor’s Guide to Earth is the prologue to a concept record that is dedicated to his young son. Maybe it’s cause his son and mine are about the same age that Simpson’s emotional candor throughout the record is so perfectly descriptive of the trials and tribulations of putting your life in context of being a new dad.

KS Rhoads “Because You Are Who You Are” Already synced to both a father’s day commercial and a mother’s day commercial. This short track is a sweet and endearing thank you letter to those who are important in your life. Neither gender nor relationship specific, the song a well-built description of how a single person can make a positive change in your life.

April 2016 Letlive. “Banshee (Ghost Fame) A great up and coming post-hardcore band out of LA. With some influences of DC hardcore as well as some of the better 90’s rap-rock. Just the right mix of aggressive guitars and melodic vocals.

Real Friends “Colder Quicker” Quickly becoming one of my favorite bands this year. A raw, emotionally-based band that is helping define the modern day post-emo pop-punk scene that comprised of other favorites like The Wonder Years, Fireworks and Modern Baseball. Each new release by the band is showing an exceptional amount of growth as songwriters without abandoning the sound that has gotten them this far.

Vinyl Theatre “Breaking Up My Bones” Vinyl Theatre live in the the dancey indie rock genre that has been kept popular through bands like Walk The Moon, Passion Pit, and 1975. This track shows off the bands ability to establish a strong hook and a great bridge that helps build to a strong crescendo of a final chorus.

Muddy Magnolias “American Woman” A lovable female country-focused duo that, with this debut single, is proudly trumpeting a female empowerment movement.  The chorus is catchy as hell and will certainly get stuck in your head.

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats “S.O.B.” There is a rebirth of southern soul in modern music. An there are those that show off that they live and breathe it and there are some that you can easily tell are in it for the cache. Rateliff and his band are clearly the former. The tone of his guttural vocals, the composition of the backing instrumentation and frankly the earnest approach to the delivery of the lyrics show that Rateliff might have been accidentally born a few generations late.

Mipso “Honeybee” A sweet (no pun intended) and gentle Americana song that is driven by a melodic fiddle line.

Dustin Kensrue “Jesus Christ” A cover of one of Brand New’s most iconic tracks by genre brethren, Dustin Kensrue, lead singer of Thrice. I’ve always considered the original track to be one of the best written songs of the last decade. A beautiful and intimate perspective to the relationship between life and death, god and the ultimate weight of someone feeling like their soul is constantly on trail. As someone who was raised catholic, wrestling with these these is a normal occurrence since you begin to understand the concepts of the afterlife. Kensrue’s iconic vocals applied to the song matter and as someone who’s open about his personal religious beliefs, he adds a sense of gravity to the material in places that you didn't think more could even be added.

NE-HI “Turncoat” Indie rock to it’s core, NE-HI harkens back to the Mazzy Star, Sonic Youth, Yo La Tango heyday of the genre. A moving drumbeat, sparse guitarwork and vocals that keep an edge to the material while making it approachable for anyone who’s in love with that style.

Los Lobos “The Valley” A lost track from the pioneering band’s 2006 release, The Town and The City, the orchestration matches singer David Hidalgo’s vocals perfectly; it’s slowly methodical in it’s delivery. A song imagining early immigrants settling in the Americas and starting to make a home for themselves shows that a track even a decade old, the understanding needed to sympathize with a person willing to sacrifice a lot to make a better life for their family.

The Strumbellas “Spirits” A great, catchy indie rock track that uses dynamics well. The positive, major-key approach is rare to find in indie rock these days and is a welcome refuge and break from those in comparison.

January 2016 Sam Outlaw “Ghost Town” Angeleno Sam Outlaw has put out one of the most consistent country records in recent memory. Built off some elegant melodies and harmonies and accented by a smooth, country toned guitar – this track harkens back to the songwriting of the Buck Owens era country music.

Turnpike Troubadours “Down Here” A great Americana track that is highlighted by great fiddle accents. The chorus is a good as any modern country song, filled with the themes you often see in that format but constructed without a sense of force or illegitimacy.

Lawrence Taylor “Waiting for Your Love” A great r&b focused song with a singer/songwriter vibe that keeps space on the track, letting each note, lyric and beat breathe – creating an atmosphere of brooding emptiness that matches the emotion Taylor is providing.  

Leigh Nash “Tell Me Now Tennessee” Frontwoman for Six Pence None The Richer has put out a great solo country record that much like some of the other country tunes on this list, shows a sense of revival in the scene as it pushes back against the bro country movement of the last few years. Nash’s vocals, much like her work with Six Pence, shows a beautiful vulnerability that is both elegant and personal.

American Aquarium “Losing Side of Twenty-Five” I see these guys as one of the better up and coming Americana/rock acts. Their latest release, Wolves shows off a sense of identity and skill in songwriting that is rare. This track is one of the highlights from that record and shows a band who’s been playing for years, doing things their way with little care for the recognition that they actually deserve.

Anderson East “Only You” A great soul revival track and Anderson’s vocal timbre is perfectly matched for the genre he’s pursuing.

Bring Your Ray Guy “Free Your Head” Chicago natives, BYRG are bringing a poppy Death From Above 1979 approach with a dance element.

CRUISR “Throw Shade” A dancey alternative act out of Philly, these guys are creating a layered element of dance rock with a strong alternative rock edge.

Finish Ticket “Color” These guys, not just cause of their singer’s vocals, have a lot in common with Walk The Moon -  focusing on the drum and bass patterns with accents by a 80’s guitar tone. And much like the aforementioned step brother band, Finish Ticket’s prowess with a pre-chorus and chorus is where the band shines.

Delta Rae “Chasing Twisters” A great band with an epic track that sadly never got the radio play and attention it deserved. Big in every way, the sextet shows off that they can write and record material that lives up to their great live shows. “Chasing Twisters” deserves to be the closing track to any summer action movie.

December End of Year Thought I’d do something different and comment of my 8 (why not?) favorite songs from this year (in no particular order) …. Dead Sara “Something Good” Seriously one of the best and underrated rock bands performing these days. If you have one of those friends (we all do) who say stupid shit like, “there aren’t any good rock bands out there any more…. I don’t listen to anything after (insert decade)” show them Dead Sara and this track. A song that’s perfectly crafted from start to finish – a catchy chorus, a chunky guitar riff, an addictive breakdown and to top it all off, lead singer Emily Armstrong has one of the most deservingly iconic voices in rock music today – gritty yet sweet, powerful but subtle. It’ll be a big disappointment if this band never gets the recognition it deserves.

The Wonder Years “I Didn’t Like Who I Was Then” Talk about lack of recognition. Another band that is producing some of the most well thought out rock albums. When you think pop-punk, you think of simple, catchy songs that are meant to highlight the plight of the suburban teenager but The Wonder Years are one of the few bands to come out of the genre that have challenged what can be written in the genre’s constructs. Emotionally educated, the band delivers thoughtful, heart wrenchingly personal material that like any really good band, makes the material universal. A highlight from the band’s 4th full length, “I Didn’t Like” is the song that pulls from all their previous material while still moving the band forward.

Jason Isbell “Speed Trap Town” While most of Americana and country music are currently wooing Chris Stapleton, Isbell’s follow-up from his successful ‘sober’ record, Southeastern was nearly forgotten. But I don’t blame them, the record is a slow burn, filled with songs that actually showcase a personally content Isbell while his ballads, which he’s most known for, require multiple listens to uncover the lyrical beauty that is always underneath. “Speed Trap Town” a quiet ballad about a son deciding to leave the town he grew up in, his hospice-ridden father and anything that was holding him down.

Craig Finn “Maggie, I’m Still Searching For Our Son” The opening track from Finn’s, the lead singer of The Hold Steady, sophomore solo record. Finn abandoned his perennial characters from the hold steady records and openly played with religious themes and the emotional aftermath of 9/11. The narrator, who’s been searching for more than just a lost child is also seeing the end of his life coming around the corner. The almost calm approach to this emotional baggage and the turn of this material into a conversation between an estranged husband and wife make this track an obvious choice as the lead track for an album that so eloquently deals with such heavy material.

Dave Hause “Home Alone” A Record Store Day special release, the opening track to a 7” EP is dark, brooding but driving with a rock drum beat. Hause, a rare punk rock troubadour is continuing from his great work with his band The Loved Ones, with a ferocity that is welcome in a scene that needs someone who’s willing to carry that torch.

Sam Hunt “House Party” An acoustic version of Hunt’s 3rd single from his successful debut album, Montevallo is proof that Sam is writing some of the best radio country material out there. Well crafted melodies, simplistic and universal lyrics that show off a why Hunt is one of the new darlings of country music. He doesn’t need to bro country and he’s not too young for Keith Urban to take a song of his – Hunt does what country music does these days, brings generations together.

Rihanna, Kanye West & Paul McCartney “Four Five Seconds” I mean, come on, you have a friggin’ Beatle collaborating with one of the best hip-hop producers/performers of our generation and is there anyone better at delivering a hook than Rihanna? Didn’t think so.

Kacey Musgraves “Family is Family” I’ve been a fan of Kacey’s for a while now and believe that she deserves all the recognition she’s getting. This is a great track that shows off her personality almost more than her songwriting skills. A light and fun track about that contrasting love of family, Musgrave’s sophomore effort continues to show off that she looks at and is willing to write about the world with a slight view askew.

November 2015 Four Year Strong “Eating My Words” After a few stumbles that included a band member departure and an album that felt forced in its maturity, the pop-punk/hardcore quartet are back with the signature sound that is heavy guitars married to sweetly melodic dual vocals. Like their first two records that helped define their sound and the subsequent sound of bands that followed them in their scene, their newest album is a return welcomed.

Eric Church “Record Year” There is not another male country artist doing what he wants (and doing it well) and still getting airplay. Like his aspirational predecessors, Church is following the path of Mellencamp, Springsteen where he isn’t defining the genre he represents. Much like his previous record’s title, with every new release it becomes more recognizable that he’s pushing out material that will last much longer than all those that keep him on the outside.

The Lake Poets “Edinburgh” A soft and mellow English folk song that allows that vocals and the guitar to breathe throughout the track.

City and Colour “Woman” The dark and brooding nature of City and Colour come across so easily on this track. A 9+ minute long opus that sets up Dallas Green’s newest record. His gentle falsetto, ambient guitar work eloquently builds into an atmospheric outro that slowly emerses you into one of the better albums of the year.

Mutemath “Stratosphere” A well-built alternative rock track from one of the genre’s most underrated mainstays. The band’s instrumentation shines on the track, from the beautiful tone of the drums to the layered synth tracks that add a texture and tone to the track that shows the band’s maturity yet ageless songwriting.    

Logic “Lord Willin’” A great indie hip-hop track that shows off a great melodic rapper. A great tune to drive to.

Night Riots “Follow You” A great alt-rock track that much like some of the best of The Killers material, shows off their 80’s influence but keeps the listener in the present.

The Struts “Could Have Been Me” With only an EP to their name, these Englishmen are poised for a big 2016. As the lead track, this shows off the band’s ability to fill stadiums with their sound - big, catchy and radio friendly.  

Pickwick “The Round” A bunch of guys from the pacific northwest dust off some southern soul and mix it with a dark, damp and muddy tone of their region.

Maren Morris “My Church” Maren could be the next Kacey Musgraves. A young female songwriter who can write a great song that is void of the unnecessary sexual connotations that is so often found for female country artists (note: not every song needs to be for a boy). She sings with an independent nature – that doesn’t care if it’s a hit, if she’ll ‘look good’ while singing it or if she can duet with Arriana Grande on the CMA’s. That’s true country.  

October 2015 Brand New “Mene” One of the consistently best punk rock bands out there. New material comes few and far between for the notoriously reclusive Long Island quartet but when it arrives, it’s a shout from the mountaintops type of thing. This new track has everything you want from singer Jesse Lacey and crew; a frenetic backing track that is only matched by Lacey’s ‘where is my mind’ type of lyrics. A guy who’s written some of the best rock lyrics of the last decade (see ‘Jesus’ or anything off of Deja Entendu), Lacey is still at the top of his game, balancing melody with aggression, vulnerability with sharp edge apathy and all of which is tightly wrapped in a 2 and a half minute rock song.

Run The Jewels “Close Your Eyes” Hip-hop duo of Killer Mike and El-P deliver one of the better ‘political’ hip-hop tracks of the last few years. With a solid beat and just enough contrast in their rhyming styles, Run The Jewels creates the head bobbing feel that everyone wants out of hip-hop but with lyrical depth that is sadly hard to find these days. And how the hell can you not like a track that brings out Rage Against The Machine’s Zach De La Rocha, the master of the bumpin’ hip-hop with lyrical content.

The Dead Deads “Lemonade” Nashville isn’t exactly known for metal but yet, as my city continues to find new ways to create engaging music found themselves their first all-girl metal group. The Dead Deads are a fun, almost tongue in cheek approach to classic Kiss, Black Sabbath metal.

Zac Brown Band “Heavy Is The Head” Zac has always been known for merging genres but this collaboration with Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell is proof that ZBB doesn’t make these songs without a sense of authenticity. This track won’t be played on CMT but he doesn’t care. A guy that’s played both CMA Fest and Bonnaroo on the same weekend shows that it’s ok to not only like different genres of music but also have an ability to write them without having to resort to call yourself Chris Gaines or anything.

Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers “Satisfied Man” I recently rediscovered this deep cut from SK’s 2009 album, The Bear. In the post-John Mayer college singer-songwriter era, it was hard to like some of these guys. They just all sounded like they wanted to sleep with your college girlfriend. Unlike most of them, Stephen always stood out from the pack and it might have been why he didn’t break through like a Howie Day (gross). But this track is a prime example of his lyrical prowess as he goes through the trials and tribulations of a modern day man, all of which sounds like it just slipped out of him with the greatest of ease – which shows his talents as a pure songwriter.

Lera Lynn “The Only Thing Worth Fighting For” Warning: I haven’t seen the second season of True Detective so this song comes with no bias. However, when it landed on the trailer for that season, it was a beautiful marriage of music to visuals and matched the hype that everyone felt for that show. Leave it to the genius of T. Bone Burnett to do such a thing. Removed from the tie to the show, this is still a haunting track that cuts into a personal and emotional core, which is T. Bone’s expertise and as my wife as appropriately coined, “Spooky-cana”

Foxes “Body Talk” British pop act, Foxes drops a track that has a solid track with a multitude of hooks that culminates into a pure pop chorus that’s built to dance to.

Of Monsters and Men “I Of The Storm” The sophomore effort by Iceland’s newest musical export has more than not, gone under the radar, especially after their debut smash. This track is a great example of the band’s true talent – an epic, yet personal song that utilizes the entire quintet.

Adele “Hello” If only people knew how talented this up and coming singer is… Uh, yeah, this is Adele being Adele. There is no one who can do what she does and 4 years after her landmark album, 21, the debut single from her new album, 25 is a singer who’s carrying the diva torch that was once held by Whitney, Dolly and Aretha.

Ella Eyre “If I go” Akin to Amy Winehouse, Ella, brings a modern take on soul music. A driving beat ensures its place at pop radio but her gritty vocals and catchy melodies helps it extend beyond its pop counterparts.