This week’s mix features some names we’ve mentioned before, including Mystery Jets and Alex Winston. But the purpose of these revisits is not just to listen to these reliably brilliant acts, but to showcase their dizzying range. Also look out for new tracks by the Arcade Fire and Au Revoir Simone, as well as a promising solo debut by New Pornographers’ singer-pianist Kathryn Calder. Don’t forget to Right Click + Save As the next ten at your own pace or scroll to the bottom to download the entire mixtape after the jump.
1. Kathryn Calder – “Slip Away” As she proves on Together, Calder traffics in the same memorable hooks and explosive choruses as her New Pornographers role model (and uncle) A.C. Newman. Now without the backing of her band Immaculate Machine or the looming shadow of “frontwoman” Neko Case, her beautiful solo songwriting finally takes center stage.
2. Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yeltsin – “Sink / Let it Sway” The Missouri four tet returns with its third album, Let it Sway, produced by Death Cab’s underappreciated Chris Walla. Judging from this single, we don’t expect to be the least bit disappointed.
3. The Arcade Fire – “Suburbs” Finally, we have a peek at what the Fire have been cooking, apart from inspiring Spike Jonze. Needless to say, we are surprised. And by that, we mean pleasantly surprised at a tamer, strummier side of the band that better showcases Win Butler’s lyrical prowess.
4. Planet Earth – “Falling Into Love” Charlie Fink of Noah and the Whale fame may only be drumming for Planet Earth, but his knowledgeable, dexterous presence is still palpable in this side project. Not only does lead singer Sam Lewis sound eerily similar to him, but Fink produced their first single, and both are on the same illustrious imprint.
5. Mystery Jets – “Half In Love With Elizabeth (Disco Version ft. Kate Nash)” We are seriously digging the few tracks we’ve heard from Mystery Jets’ forthcoming album, Serotonin. So imagine our delight when we found this electrified remix that grooves like a lost Empire of the Sun track, backed by a choir of Kate Nashes.
6. Hot Hot Heat – “21@12” That band that you rocked out to in the early ’00s is back after three years spent experimenting in the studio and touring with Bloc Party. And we are loving the new sound. The song is as palindromic as the title suggests.
7. Alex Winston – “Yours to Keep” Having already skillfully covered Mumford & Sons and proven herself more than capable with original material, Alex Winston takes on the Teddybears with her endearingly soft vocal curlicues, as if she was The Girl Least Like To.
8. Magic Bullets – “Lying Around” The slightly Blighty vocal chops, undeniably reminiscent of the Moz himself, are the first thing we notice about the new track from this San Francisco jangle-pop outfit. Despite losing some members to some local Girls, the band will release a self-titled full-length on June 15th.
9. Marching Band – “It Will Never Slip” This standout track from their upcoming sophomore release, Pop Cycle, is nearly four minutes of pure indie pop glory. It’s exactly what we’ve come to expect from the Swedish dynamic duo, mixed with a new Rogue Wave-y exuberance.
10. Au Revoir Simone – “Another Likely Story (Aeroplane Remix)” Having already worked with the ladies of Au Revoir Simone on the recognizable, dancefloor-ready remix of Friendly Fires’ “Paris,” Aeroplane’s two Belgian DJs deliver yet another summer staple. It starts with a slowly building synth-off and ends with something that sounds like a Spanish dance troupe.