Phantogram // “When I’m Small” (Live)

Oh my god I want to envelop myself in Sarah Barthel’s voice. Swooning to the moon and back.

The Knife // Heartbeats

To call for hands of above to lean on wouldn’t be good enough for me.

Just bringin’ back the good stuff. The live version is amazing as well (sometimes I actually prefer it). 

Bon Iver // “Blood Bank” (Skinny Friedman DJ Edit)

And I said I know it well
That secret that you know 
But you don’t know how to tell
It fucks with your honor
And it teases your head
But you know that it’s good, girl
Because it’s running you with red

These lyrics.

That awkward moment when you realize you sound like a pretentious music snob who has no idea what she’s talking about.

Villagers // “Twenty Seven Strangers” (Live at NPR’s World Cafe)

But there is no cue
No stage hand saying what to do
And you are me
And I am you

Conor J. O’Brien is able to find beauty and sorrow in even the most mundane situations.

Shameless self-promotion. 

Lia Ices // “Daphne” (feat. Justin Vernon)

Currently reviewing. This is probably one of my favourite tracks on Lia Ices’ sophomore effort, Grown Unknown. The build up towards the middle when Justin Vernon (of Bon Iver) comes in is breathtaking.

Plus, the fact that Ices is signed to alt-indie heavyweights Jagjagwur is enough to warrant her a listen.

Sometimes I forget how much my parents do for me.

Every time I study or work with music on, it just turns into a sing-a-long.

Glasser // “Home”

I like the organic and somewhat out of place xylophone juxtaposed against the sweeping orchestral feel of this track.

St. Vincent // “These Days” (Jackson Browne cover) [Watch LIVE version]

I used to hate covers when I was younger. (And remixes—but that’s a whole other story.) I mean, it’s a difficult feat to live up to the original once it’s ingrained in your memory.

But over the years, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for other musicians’ interpretations of my much loved songs. Each artist breathes new life into a song when they sing it—with their unique inflections—and along with their voice, they carry with them their own personal experiences that shape the way they feel the lyrics.

One such track is Jackson Browne’s “These Days.” (Yes, I know what you’re all thinking: “But that’s a Nico track!”) Yes and no. A wise-beyond-his-years Jackson Browne wrote that introspective gem when he was just 16 (16!!); Nico was the first to record it for official release, and thus it’s the most recognized version.

Anyway, enjoy St. Vincent’s lovely take on “These Days,” and click here for a bunch of other renditions of the track.

My favourite albums of 2010 ›

My thoughts on year-end 'best of' lists. ›

I’m not a fan, but anyone who likes Owl City should check out Michou.