Top 25 Death Grips Songs

1. Anne Bonny

2. Klink

3. Blackjack

4. Known for It

5. System Blower

6. Blood Creepin

7. Pillbox Hat

8. Death Grips (Next Grips)

9. Takyon

10. Black Quarterback

11. Come Up and Get Me

12. The Fever

13. Spread Eagle Cross the Block

14. Full Moon

15. Get Got

16. On GP

17. Culture Shock

18. I've Seen Footage

19. Inanimate Sensation

20. Punk Weight

21. I Want It I Need It

22. Hustle Bones

23. Turned Off

24. Thru the Walls

25. Hacker

The Top 20 Albums of 2014

1. Ariel Pink - Pom Pom

2. Woods - With Light and with Love

3. Cloud Nothings - Here and Nowhere Else

4. Trust - Joyland

5. FKA Twigs - LP1

6. Ought - More Than Any Other Day

7. Real Estate - Atlas

8. Alvvays - Alvvays

9. Tune Yards - Nikki Nack

10. Rustie - Green Language

11. Caribou - Our Love

12. Amen Dunes - Love

13. Mac DeMarco - Salad Days

14. Spoon - They Want My Soul

15. The Bug - Angels and Devils

16. Ty Segall - The Manipulator

17. Thee Oh Sees - Drop

18. Gold-Bears - Dalliance

19. Wild Beasts - Present Tense

20. Liars - Mess

The Top 30 Songs of 2014

These were the songs that formed the soundtrack to my year, the tracks that I kept coming back to again and again.

1. Ought - Habit

2. Woods - Moving to the Left

3. Cloud Nothings - Psychic Trauma

4. FKA Twigs - Two Weeks

5. Ariel Pink - Put your Number in my Phone

6. Phantogram - Fall in Love

7. Rustie - Attak

8. Little Dragon - Klapp Klapp

9. Tune Yards - Water Fountain

10. Real Estate - Talking Backwards

11. Caribou - Can't Do without You

12. Alvvays - Adult Diversion

13. Trust - Capitol

14. Baths - Ocean Death

15. The Juan Maclean - a Simple Design

16. Vessel - Red Sex

17. Absolutely Free - Beneath the Air

18. Death Grips - Black Quarterback

19. The New Pornographers - Brill Bruisers

20. Spoon - Do You

21. Thee Oh Sees - Penetrating Eye

22. Meatbodies - Tremmors

23. Courtney Barnett - Pickles from the Jar

24. Amen Dunes - Lilac in Hand

25. Mac DeMarco - Brother

26. Lone - 2 is 8

27. Twerps - Back to You

28. Gold-Bears - Yeah, Tonight

29. Porches - Forgive

30. Sisyphus - Rhythm of Devotion

Mac DeMarco - Brother 8.0/10

Mac DeMarco is an experimental indie rock performer originally from British Columbia, Canada and now based in New York City. This track is taken from his album Salad Days which was released by Captured Tracks Records in April 2014. The song is the second single off DeMarco's solid new album, and can be counted as one of the better moments on the record. His smooth, so-laid-back-he-must-be-lying-on-the-ground vocals are buttery goodness and suggest he's puffing on a Viceroy between verses where he tells a pal to chill out and just relax. The slinky guitars and retro 60's style get you feeling all nice and mellow when suddenly you're jarred back to harsh reality by the alien cries and dissonant guitar effects which unfold in the final minute of the track. Mac has the reputation for being an indie rock slacker and is now a poster boy for smokers and civil liberties campaigners, but on Brother he sounds world-weary and wise beyond his years. DeMarco claimed the style of the album reflected that "I was on tour for a year and a half and I'm tired", and you can picture him strumming the chords of Brother while slumped in an old armchair. This is an introspective track to put on when you want to take a breather and unwind after a hard day.

Miniature Tigers - Oblivious 6.3/10

Miniature Tigers are an indie pop rock/synth band now based in New York, USA. This track is taken from their forthcoming album Cruel Runnings which will be released by Modern Art Records in June 2014. After 2012's Mia Pharaoh album turned sharply away from guitar pop towards a glistening synth-pop future, there was some speculation about whether it was a one-album deviation or where the band were really headed for the long term. The first singles released from Cruel Runnings confirm that the synths are (unfortunately) here to stay. As a big fan of their first two predominantly guitar-driven albums I don't see why they've decided to jump into the thoroughly saturated synth band pool and churn out tracks that could be made by almost anyone. The formerly witty, sharp as a whip lyrics and revenge fantasy imaginings just aren't there anymore - lead singer Charlie Brand is still singing about failed relationships using self-deprecating metaphors, but they just don't bite the way they used to. The melody of this pop track is also just a little too, dare I say it, bland to draw more than a cursory listen. The Tigers may be in a bold new synth world but this just doesn't live up to their former standards and doesn't bode well for the new album which is shaping up to be Mia Pharaoh part two.

Amen Dunes - Lilac in Hand 7.6/10

Amen Dunes is the psychedelic folk solo project of Damon McMahon from New York state, USA. This track is taken from his forthcoming album Love which will be released by Sacred Bones Records in May 2014. This new album marks an expansion in McMahon's sound with the addition of a cast of musicians which play on the album. The feel of traditional Americana field recordings springs to mind on first listen, and McMahon's gravelly voice and world-weary delivery are the defining feature that sets this track apart as something above average. The track begins with strummed guitar, light piano chords and wood block percussion, eventually reaching a chorus with female accompanying vocals which lighten the mood considerably by puncturing the cloudy mood. Something in the melody and the vocal range he's aiming for suggests to me that he's absorbed some of Sigur Ros' sense for epic scales and pacing, and the fact that several members of Godspeed You Black Emperor took part in the recording of the album is also apparent in the deeply enveloping atmospherics. This is a strong track from Amen Dunes and probably the finest he's yet produced, so let's hope the new album will bear similar fruit.

Tune-Yards - Water Fountain 8.5/10

Tune-Yards is the stage name of experimental folk singer Merrill Garbus, originally from Connecticut, USA. This track is taken from her forthcoming album Nikki Nack which will be released by 4AD Records in early May 2014. This song has a bit of everything from Merrill's past releases, including lyrics which will make you laugh, ponder, and ultimately conclude that she's approaching Beck's stream-of-consciousness delivery from the Odelay era. The emphasis on percussion and bass as propulsion continues from the style seen on her previous album whokill, but the idea for this track is simply to make everything bigger and broader in scale. The rousing refrain of "Woo-ha!" and its pop song sensibility suggests Merrill is aiming for a broader audience with this release, as this is probably the catchiest and most approachable track she has released so far. Despite this the track retains all the wonderful experimentation and energy we've come to expect from Tune-Yards, and this is a solid addition to her catalogue which shows both stylistic progression and improved production techniques.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Simple and Sure 6.2/10

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart are an indie twee rock band from New York, USA. This track is taken from their forthcoming album called Days of Abandon which will be released in May 2014 by Yebo Records. The track begins with a simple sing-along vocal part which recalls the style of Dirty Projectors. The strummed verse sections sound rather similar to many tracks The Pains have produced before, if perhaps a bit chirpier and sunnier. However, it's the arrival of the chorus which makes me cringe whenever I hear it - like something you'd expect to hear on an 80's easy listening radio station, with a hook that is anything but memorable. The band have apparently moved too far to the 'pop' end of their musical spectrum, and forgotten that what made their past material great was the interplay of clever, suggestive lyrics with a sweet and sour delivery that conveyed shy yearnings. This saccharine sweet track is a huge disappointment after a run of extremely enjoyable singles and albums, and the song's title really sums up the one-dimensional feeling of it, they've chosen to go with something 'simple and sure'. Let's hope when the full album arrives that this is a sugary deviation from what Days of Abandon will actually sound like.

Wild Nothing - Chinatown 9.5/10

Wild Nothing is the indie guitar pop project of Jack Tatum from Virginia, USA. This track is taken from his album Gemini which was released by Captured Tracks Records in 2010. The song begins with a lush arrangement of flute-like synths hovering at the margins before a steady rhythm of light percussion and a mesmerizing bass line make an entrance. The thickness of the production needs to be complemented since the myriad different layers going on in this track never overlap or sound muddied, they are all given room to be heard separately. There are enough different sounds that headphones are strongly recommended to catch all the different parts, particularly the depth and complexity of the superb bass line. The moody, longing atmosphere is matched by Tatum's lyrics, where he exclaims "I need to keep you here/I need to picture you still/I need to clear the fog", expressing yearnings for a lost companion. This is Wild Nothing's finest moment to date, a track where all the best features of Tatum's style came together in something timeless.

Ought - Habit 8.7/10

Ought is an indie art rock band from Montreal, Canada. This track is taken from their forthcoming debut album More Than Any Other Day which will be released April 29, 2014 on Constellation records. The song appears to take the Talking Heads as its main muse, with a vocal style which recalls David Byrne in the era of Remain in Light. That comparison should be taken as purely complimentary, since Ought take this track to spiritual heights which seem remarkable for a debut single. The rising cries of "I feel it, I habit" and "Cause I need to know I'm not alone" as strings and crashing cymbals build towards the song's conclusion come across as powerful and meaningful without any suggestion that the raw emotions feel forced or phony. This is one of the best singles of 2014 so far, and I can't wait to hear the full debut album.

LionLimb - Rot 8.6/10

LionLimb is an indie psychedelic rock band based in Chicago, USA. This track was self-released as a single by the band in 2013 ahead of their debut EP. The track begins with a southern blues-style melody, but this simple categorization is quickly dismissed when the reedy synths and organ effects kick in during the rousing chorus. Clanging guitar dissonance adds some enjoyable clutter to the second half of the track, while guitar chord vibrations are enhanced until they sound more like a muffled trumpet. The relaxed, self-assured vocals are hard to make out, but the repeated refrain of "What are you trying to keep me from?" suggests an assertion of independence in a relationship. This is an accomplished debut from LionLimb and a track I've returned to over and over again to try to figure out just how they made some of these sounds.

Glass Gang - Waves 8.7/10

Glass Gang is an experimental electronic group from New York, USA. This track was self-released by the band as a single in 2013. The track takes a simple pattern of electronic beats and buries them in heavy downpours of feedback which recall My Bloody Valentine's wall of sound approach to guitar backdrops. The soft, fluttering vocals and tinkling piano chords glide above the storm of feedback making the overall feeling one of weightlessness, like floating in space or perhaps in the ocean depths. This was one of my favourite tracks of 2013 to sit and bliss out to through headphones, and I hope Glass Gang will live up to the huge promise which this track represents. Taking My Bloody Valentine-style feedback effects and adding electro beats while crafting a pop song out of the result was never going to be an easy thing to pull off, but Glass Gang accomplish it with a track which sounds unlike anything else out there at the moment.

Zammuto - F U C-3PO 9.0/10

Zammuto is the current experimental electronic project of Nick Zammuto, formerly part of the duo behind the band The Books. This track is taken from Zammuto's debut self-titled album which was released by Temporary Residence Records in 2012. After the breakup of The Books at the beginning of 2012, Zammuto toned down the most out-there experimental impulses of The Books and added more of a human touch with increased reliance on real instruments. F U C-3PO begins with a creepy, unsettling beat and distorted vocals which recall Massive Attack's Mezzanine album. This feeling is broken with the arrival of a chorus section of rising chopped vocals (if such a song can be said to have a 'chorus') which releases the tension and lifts the song briefly heavenward before returning to the depths for the second verse. The overall feeling is of meeting a creature deep inside a cave, at least until strummed guitar chords near the end bring the mood back to something more human. This is a track for nocturnal journeys and it rewards repeated listening to focus on the sound of each of its assembled parts and the way they snugly fit together.

Woods - Leaves Like Glass 8.8/10

Woods is an indie psychadelic folk rock band from New York, USA. This track is taken from their album With Light and with Love which was released by their own Woodsist record label in April 2014. Woods have consistently produced a string of likeable, sun-bleached and earthy singles over the past eight years, and Leaves Like Grass easily carries on the trend. Lead singer Jeremy Earl has a highly distinctive voice which is now placed more prominently in the mix than on previous albums. The production is crisp and clear, with the organ part forming the backbone of the swaggering rhythm beneath the careful guitar picking. The ringing guitar melody in the final minute makes this possibly the finest tune that Woods have written to date. This track harks back to a 1960's folk style while still sounding like it belongs on the contemporary radio dial. All this makes it a perfect chillout track for a sunny summer afternoon sitting outdoors.

Cloud Nothings - Psychic Trauma 9.2/10

Cloud Nothings are an indie hard rock band from Cleveland, USA. This track is taken from their album Here and Nowhere Else which was released by Carpark Records in March 2014. The track starts out with a calm, swaying rhythm of ringing guitars with vocals kept low in the mix. Everything shifts abruptly after 44 seconds with the arrival of crashing drums and a doubling of the timing. At 65 seconds the group fall into a new whirling groove with driving, wailing guitars which leads into the raging chorus with singer Dylan Baldi's voice reaching a snarl. I've listened to this track at least 100 times and still get caught up each time in the blinding rush of the guitar slashes as the song barrels into the chorus. This will get your blood pumping no matter the time or place - a strong contender for song of the year for 2014.

HEALTH - Die Slow 9.0/10

HEALTH is an electro noise rock band based in Los Angeles, USA. This track is taken from their album Get Color which was released by Lovepump United Records in 2009. This is almost-danceable pop music put through a shredder, with hard industrial riffs and beats arranged in a tight song structure. The whispery vocals of singer Jake Duzsik sound almost feminine and stand in sharp contrast to the maelstrom of noise flying around him. The track was the album's lead single and an appropriate choice, though unfortunately this remains the high water mark for the whole album. This is something to put on to get psyched up and excited before going to a goth club, though on a normal day it's also a great track to play in the car.

Tobacco - Hairy Candy 8.6/10

Tobacco is the psychedelic electronic solo project of Tom Fec from the Pittsburgh-based group Black Moth Super Rainbow. This track is taken from his album Fucked Up Friends which was released by Anticon Records in 2008. Heavily treated vocals echo across a bed of revving synths and robotic beats, and somehow the result feels warm and organic rather than cold and mechanical. The lyrics are almost impenetrable in the mix and consist of just two repeated phrases, "Eat(?) the sun" and "too young", but it's the wistful emotion in the chopped vocal melody which adds depth to the song's headlong rush into what sounds like a trans-dimensional vortex. This is a late-night chillout track to listen to through headphones after watching sci-fi movies.

Women - Eyesore 8.9/10

Women is an art rock band from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. This track is taken from their album Public Strain which was released by the label Jagjaguwar in 2010. As the final track on Public Strain, the last two minutes of Eyesore act as the outro to the album as a whole, and does so to spectacular effect with a guitar riff that will get stuck in your head for weeks. Heavy reverb effects on the vocals and guitars hark back to 1960's psychedelic bands, while the lyrics are almost unintelligibly buried in the mix. Like many songs by Women, Eyesore begins with a familiar rhythm that abruptly shifts halfway through into a new vocal melody and guitar chord pattern that lead to a satisfying conclusion. Guitarist Chris Reimer died in February 2012, and the band has been on hiatus since then although no official breakup has been announced by their label Jagjaguwar.

Doldrums - Egypt 8.6/10

Doldrums is the stage name of Airick Woodhead, an experimental electronic artist from Toronto, Canada, who moved to Montreal to become part of the city's art pop scene. This track is taken from his album called Lesser Evil which was released by Arbutus Records in February 2013. Egypt sounds like an extra track left over from the recording sessions for Bjork's album Post, and that is most certainly intended as a glowing compliment. Most of the album Lesser Evil was recorded on a laptop that he borrowed from his friend Claire Boucher, better known these days as Grimes, and the influence of Grimes, tour mates Purity Ring and the broader Montreal scene are apparent. Lush electronic washes, kick drums and myriad types of percussion compete for attention with sliced and diced samples, while the track's rhythm frequently moves off in unexpected directions deviating from its main beat pattern. This is arguably the strongest piece of work yet produced by Doldrums, and is a good introduction to the album Lesser Evil which is one of 2013's best experimental albums thus far.

Trust - Bulbform 8.5/10

Trust is Robert Alfons and Maya Postepski, a dark electronic synthpop duo from Toronto, Canada. This track is taken from their album TRST which was released by Arts and Crafts Records in 2012. Trust is a side-project of the band Austra, and their approach is similar to that of the parent group, though with a greater emphasis on danceable rhythms and Robert Alfons' voice. The lyrics offer little to enlighten why this song is called 'bulbform', with the repeated refrains of 'it won't last the season in bulbform', and 'seems to me its suffocation'. The spooky tone doesn't detract from the tune's overall danceability; this is dark house music for goths that could persuade people to rise from the dead and dance wildly long after midnight.

Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs - Household Goods 7.8/10

Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs is the stage name of Orlando Higginbottom, an indie electronic artist from Oxford, England. This track is taken from his album Trouble which was released by Casablanca Records in 2012. This is introvert dance music in the mold of Hot Chip, a soundtrack to a quiet night in rather than intense clubbing frenzy. Higginbottom's shy vocals describe a girl he'd like to approach but can't muster the nerve, claiming that he could be "the dog to (her) bone, or something". Switching from soft twinkling keyboards to full on breakbeats and then back again, Higginbottom keeps us guessing as to where the song will go next. This is probably the strongest track from the album Trouble, which has some uneven patches during the second half.

Neon Indian - Local Joke 9.3/10

Neon Indian is an indie electronic project by Alan Palomo from Denton, Texas. This track is taken from his album Psychic Chasms which was released by Lefse Records in 2009. This was the track which hooked me on the chillwave genre and made me realise that it could be much more than just lightweight nostalgia. The pummeling synth beats sound straight from a 1985 time warp, but the crisp production and layers of complex sampling make sure the mood is thoroughly grounded in the present. Palomo sings of a girl who doesn't care for him anymore and the inevitability of a looming breakup, intoning in the last line that 'she needs an excuse to end things and become the things you hate'. This is certainly one of my favourite songs of all time, a track that I can put on no matter what the occasion and immediately feel rejuvenated.

Architecture in Helsinki - Escapee 8.3/10

Architecture in Helsinki is an indie electronic band from Melbourne, Australia. This track is taken from their album Moment Bends which was released by Cooperative Music in 2011. This is a fun, danceable track that makes me think of late night revelry under the stars. Frontman Cameron Bird's lyrics offer little clue as to who or what the 'escapee' is escaping, though it may be from a troubled relationship. His words are chosen more for the sounds the rhymes elicit than for any coherent images they create. The strident synths and bouncy rhythm make it almost impossible not to move your body in time with the beats, so expect to find yourself putting this one on repeat. The album Moment Bends is patchy with a few great individual songs, but Escapee is the record's undisputed highlight.

Brothertiger - Back To Us 8.5/10

Brothertiger is an indie electronic project by John Jagos from Athens, Ohio. This track is taken from his EP called Point of View which was released by Collective Crowd Records in 2011. For those who enjoy sunny, poppy chillwave, look no further than the work of Brothertiger. This is a warm, relaxing track with classic synths and echoing custard cream vocals. Jagos sings of his longing to be near someone he misses; he name-drops The Police's Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic, a song which seems to serve as his muse for this track. This is as syrupy as chillwave gets, feel good music ready to brighten up a rainy day.

Wise Blood - Darlin You're Sweet 8.5/10

Wise Blood is an indie electronic pop project by Chris Laufman from Pittsburgh, USA. This track is taken from his EP called These Wings which was released by Dovecote Records in 2011. This is an electro dance track done in slow motion, a chillout song for a quiet night in at home. For a bedroom lo-fi recording the production quality is high, and Laufman's layered vocals sung in a half-whisper and half-falsetto come across as fully sincere. He describes his love for his partner, and worries that he may not be everything that they need him to be, while also wondering if they are everything that he needs. The sampled backing vocals used during the bridge sound like a full church choir and add considerable volume and atmosphere. This is the standout track from the EP These Wings, and the best track so far from Wise Blood; hopefully he's working on more material that pushes the boundaries of bedroom electro pop the way Darlin You're Sweet does.

Terry Malts - Something About You 7.7/10

Terry Malts is an indie garage rock band from San Francisco, California. This track is taken from their album Killing Time which was released by Slumberland Records in 2012. At times the band sound like The Ramones fronted by Morrissey, at other moments like the Beach Boys running on high octane jet fuel. This track rocks around the clock with a cheery retro vibe and crooner vocals played at high speed with ultra fuzzy guitars. Singer Phil Benson doesn't tackle the big subjects here, this is a straight ahead love song with fairly repetitive lyrics ("I just wanna be with you") but there's just too much raw energy racing along in this track for that to be considered a drawback. These guys are at their best when they keep the chords and words stripped back to the minimum and let the heavily distorted guitars do the talking. All hail the fuzz.

Seapony - Outside 8.1/10

Seapony is an indie twee pop band from Seattle, Washington. This track is taken from their album Falling which was released by Hardly Art Records in 2012. The wistful, dreamy vocals and reverb-heavy guitars featured here put Seapony firmly in the traditional twee pop mold, though at times the jangly edge of the guitars suggest the influence of The Smiths, while some elements of the west coast Surf Pop scene creep in as well. Singer Jenny Weidl's lyrics suggest a yearning for a simpler, less complicated time in the past, though it's more about the atmosphere of quiet longing she creates than the words themselves. This is introverted music for a late-night session while an autumn chill develops outside the windowpane.

Ty Segall - The Drag 8.3/10

Ty Segall is a lo-fi garage rock performer based in San Francisco, California. This track is taken from his self-titled album which was released by Castle Face Records in 2008. The track takes a 1960's surfer vibe and then smothers it in heavy distortion and layers of feedback. Segall's from-the-bottom-of-a-well vocals coax listeners to get up and hit the dance floor to do 'The Drag'; you could almost dance to it but you would probably hurt yourself trying. The song has undeniable drive and energy, suggesting Segall is enjoying performing it in the studio as much as he does during his stellar live performances. For those who love heavy guitar distortion (I count myself as a member) this comes highly recommended, and is best played loud once the party is really getting underway.

The Ruby Suns - Cranberry 7.9/10

The Ruby Suns are an experimental indie pop group from Auckland, New Zealand. This track is taken from their album Fight Softly which was released by Sub Pop Records in 2010. Lead singer Ryan McPhun may originally be from California, but this band's Kiwi credentials show in the playful touches and rhythms that suggest a summer beach party in the Bay of Islands isn't far away. The track begins with a tromping marching beat which abruptly fades out to be replaced by electro keyboard hits, then gradually builds into an all-out rumba party with wavy marine flourishes. McPhun's lyrics describe childhood fears of swimming in deep water and anxieties about the future, though the exuberant atmosphere of the track never gets weighted down by such concerns. This is a song to put on by the pool on a hot day with a chilled lemonade in hand.

Reading Rainbow - White Noise 7.9/10

Reading Rainbow is a psychedelic pop band from Philadelphia, USA. They have recently changed their name to Bleeding Rainbow. This track is taken from their album Prism Eyes which was released by Hozac Records in 2010. Crunchy guitars and pounding drums are the order of the day from this boy/girl duo, who both share vocal duties as well. The main riff is fuzzed-out bliss, but the real draw card is the vocal harmony they produce singing the verses together in unison. This is sugary goodness reminiscent of twee bands from the 1990's like Rocketship and Tiger Trap, but for most listeners the main comparison will be to late 1980's Scottish band The Vaselines who utilized similar boy/girl harmonies with clever lyrics. This excellent track from Reading Rainbow matches up well in such illustrious company.

Neo-Safari - Coastal Cruise 8.7/10

Neo-Safari is an indie electronic project by Dan Rogers from Dallas, Texas. This track is taken from an EP which is simply titled 'EP' which was self-released in 2012. The mood is light and buoyant on this excellent glitch-heavy track. The chopped beats and synths create a sensation of moving forwards at high speed, making this a great song to put on in the car. The patterns of glitches and bass keep evolving in unexpected ways as it unfolds, leading to the payoff at 3:25 when the track kicks into top gear. The few vocals are impossible to make out, but the bubbly, playful atmosphere Rogers creates will put you in a great mood in just four and a half minutes. I recommend playing this while commuting on the way to work or school, you'll definitely arrive feeling refreshed.

Odesza - I Want You 8.9/10

Odesza is an indie electronic duo from Seattle, USA. This track is taken from their debut album Summer's Gone which was self-released in 2012. For a self-released album Summer's Gone has incredibly crisp production and sounds like a major label release. When the transfixing bassline on this track kicks in at 0:32 I feel blown away every time; this begs to be listened to through high-quality headphones to get the full effect of the bass and layers of percussion. The lyrics are essentially indecipherable, but the words aren't really important, it's all about experiencing the dense atmosphere they've created. The entire album Summer's Gone is a solid chill out collection, with tracks that will almost make you feel like dancing while lying on the sofa bobbing your head to the thick bass lines.

Alvin Band - Temple Pressure 8.9/10

Alvin Band is an experimental indie pop project by Rick Schaier who is originally from California, USA. He is also the drummer for the band Miniature Tigers. This track is taken from his album Mantis Preying which was released by Intelligent Noise Records in 2009. You've never heard anything quite like Alvin Band, take my word for it. The entire album Mantis Preying is constructed out of samples of Rick Schaier's voice and hand claps, and half the fun is trying to figure out how he made all these astonishingly diverse sounds using just his vocal cords. Temple Pressure is a good introduction to his style since it throws in a little bit of everything, but the most memorable feature is the 60's harmony style of the 'chorus' (if such a song can be said to have a chorus). Schaier sings of parental pressure pushing him to take more of an interest in his family's Jewish faith (this is what the lyrics and the title suggest at least, but knowing Schaier it could be an off-beat metaphor for anything up to and including the meaning of life). He's 'trying to read Hebrew' but he's 'too confused' and this song seems to be his way of cheekily poking fun at his own inability to take an interest in the faith. In the end though, the lyrics on the album Mantis Preying aren't what really matters, it's the amazingly creative rhythms, harmonies and percussion that he's managed to create without a single musical instrument. I'm a huge fan of the album Mantis Preying (though less fond of the follow-up album Rainbow Road), this is an album that I can play from start to finish and relish every minute of it. It's probably a little too 'weird' for the average listener (it reminds me a little of the Beta Band's self-titled album), but the sunny, upbeat atmosphere of Temple Pressure and the album are sure to put a smile on anyone's face if they're willing to give it a chance.

Sic Alps - Cement Surfboard 8.4/10

Sic Alps is a lo-fi psychedelic indie band from San Francisco, USA. This track is taken from their album Napa Asylum which was released by Drag City Records in 2011. This is a chilled out, kick back on the porch with a beer and watch the sunset on a summer evening kind of song. Clean, clear guitar lines with a deceptively simple hook are merged with lead singer Mike Donovan's drawlingly endearing vocals. He sings of 'going back in time', which isn't much of a stretch for the 60's throwback style he's aiming for. Name-checking the Jackson 5 sounds just out of place enough to feel slightly quirky, but you'll hardly notice as his delivery of the line is so laid back its almost horizontal. The drumming and percussion is understated and low-key, yet perfectly executed to complement the crisp slashes of guitar between the verses. If you like the style of this track, the whole album Napa Asylum offers the same kind of blissed-out sunny retro feeling.

Geographer - Verona 8.7/10

Geographer is an indie electronic pop band based in San Francisco, USA. This track is taken from their EP called Animal Shapes which was released by Tricycle Records in 2010. Although the song Kites from the Animal Shapes EP is better known, I've always felt this was the superior track from the EP and the best song so far produced by Geographer. The genius of this track is all in the subtle touches and the timing; take for example how lead singer Michael Deni slows down his delivery of the line "You told such simple lies" at the end of the chorus (at 2:04 and again at 4:36) while the synth beats stop just long enough to let his words sink in before starting up again. The counterpoint percussion used during the verses also adds some depth to offset the trance-inducing rhythm of the synth beats. This is chillout music to put on and fall asleep to after getting home at 3am, a late-night lullaby to play on repeat.

Flash/Lights - Scarves 8.6/10

Flash/Lights are an indie electronic group from Denver, Colorado, USA. They are often confused with another band from Florida called Flashlights. This track is taken from a two-track single called Scarves released by Hug Records in 2012. Stuttering synths are the icing that make this sugary synth-pop track extra sweet, and the echoing, breathy vocals sound straight out of 1983. This could be played on 80's retro night at your local club and nobody would bat an eye when this track followed New Order and Talk Talk, putting it in impressive company. Emulating a specific era's style like this can often lead to mixed results, but Flash/Lights nail this one to the wall, creating a song worthy of their Yamaha DX7-weilding forebears.

Born Gold - Wrinklecarver 8.3/10

Born Gold is the stage name of Cecil Frena, an indie electro pop artist originally from Edmonton, Canada. This track is taken from his debut album Bodysongs released by Crash Cymbals Records in 2011(freely available on Bandcamp). Sometimes I'm astonished when a song that seems destined to be heard around the world remains almost completely unknown, and that is certainly the case with Wrinklecarver. If this had been played a few times on major radio stations Frena would be a household name by now. His former project Gobble Gobble included Claire Boucher (Grimes) and Corin Roddick and Megan James (Purity Ring), who have moved on to increasing stardom in the past year. This is a thumping, high-energy electro pop song that is just off-kilter enough to feel a bit weird, though it's the kind of strangeness that you don't need to think too hard about while dancing to it. Frena's vocals are kept front and centre throughout the hurricane of techno beats and synth washes, and he sings with intensity about... I'm not really sure what, lines like 'I don't want to feel my skin unlace its skates' sound like Canadian nonsense rhymes. Why is the track called 'Wrinklecarver'? I haven't the foggiest, but such things really don't matter once you press play and start bobbing your head to it.

Miniature Tigers - Tell it to the Volcano 8.6/10

Miniature Tigers is an indie pop group based in New York City, USA. This track is taken from their debut album which is also called Tell it to the Volcano, released by Modern Art Records in 2008. Flute and organ sounds open the track before it adds acoustic guitars and Rick Schaier's signature drumming. Charlie Brand's shy, mournful voice carries the track as he describes a tale of love gone wrong in lyrics heavily laced with irony and sly humour. The band have gone on to embrace synth-pop and electro-pop on later albums, but the predominantly guitar-driven sound of Tell it to the Volcano remains their most complete album and the best example of Brand's talent for writing wry, absurdist revenge-fantasy lyrics.

Les Sins - Youth Gone 8.5/10

Les Sins is a side-project of Chaz Bundick from South Carolina, USA, better known for his music released under the name Toro y Moi. This track is taken from a two-track single released by Carpark Records in 2010. The style of Les Sins has faster, heavier beats than the chillwave vibe he creates as Toro y Moi, and this song is intended as an intelligent floor-filling club track. A sample of what sounds like a trumpet is sliced and diced into a rapid, rollicking beat, leading to a well-constructed break point at 1:40 which gives way to a shift in the beat pattern and tempo which clearly announces 'this is the time to start dancing'. The track has no lyrics, but the gradual shifts and glitches in the beat patterns make this complex listening for what at first seems like a straight-up electronic dance track.

Califone - The Orchids 8.0/10

Califone is an indie folk group from Chicago, USA. This track is taken from their album Roots and Crowns released by Thrill Jockey in 2006. It's a rare thing when a cover can be considered as good or better than the original version, but that is the case with this cover of a song by Psychic TV from the early 1980's. Carefully plucked acoustic guitars are matched with frontman Tim Rutili's world-weary voice while a harmonica moves in and out adding depth and grace. Rutili has stated that the sound of the album Roots and Crowns was directly inspired by Psychic TV's version of the song. The poetic lyrics mention shades of lightness, darkness and colour, and revolve around the common theme of eyes and sight.

Small Black - No Stranger 7.7/10

Small Black is an indie electronic band from New York City, USA. This track is taken from their album Limits of Desire released by Jagjaguwar in May 2013. Josh Kolenick's shy voice carries this track as he sings of a need for commitment and acceptance. Shimmering waves of synths, heavy reverb effects and jumpy beats speed the track along, with a huge wash of lush sound following the chorus line of "You're no stranger to me." While Small Black's updated chillwave style can grow rather predictable over the length of the full album Limits of Desire, taken on its own a track like No Stranger provides simple pleasures and a warm, blissed out sensation, which sometimes is all we really need.

Peter Wolf Crier - Beach 7.9/10

Peter Wolf Crier are Peter Pisano and Brian Moen, a lo-fi indie rock band from Minneapolis, USA. This track is taken from their second album Garden of Arms released by Jagjaguwar in 2011. The percussion used on this track is memorable since the constant background rhythm sounds like rain pelting against a windowpane. The song really kicks into high gear at 1:53 when a squall of electric guitar noise moves in and takes over, leading to a satisfyingly noisy conclusion. Pisano's thin voice is high and wavers at times, while his cryptic lyrics suggest he is asking to reconnect with someone. The sound of Garden of Arms is considerably more developed and polished compared to the simple folk rock tunes on their debut Inter-Be. The bigger and fuller sound doesn't always lead to improved results on Garden of Arms, however Beach is by far the standout track from both the album and from the band.

Electric President - Good Morning, Hypocrite 8.4/10

Electric President is an indie electronic pop band from Florida, USA. The group's main members are Ben Cooper and Alex Kane. This track is taken from their self-titled album released by Morr Music in 2006. The track's keyboards, pianos and whooshing electronic beats sound much larger and fuller than the bedroom recording studio they were made in. The lush electronic gurgles and crisply thumping rhythm are set against Ben Cooper's hushed vocals, creating a sound which is reminiscent of The Postal Service. The call-and-response voices used in the middle section also recall the pop sensibilities of Junior Senior. Lyrically the track describes the personal alienation brought about by modern technology and lines like 'nature's haircut is concrete now, we played our part' remind me of the environmental themes of Grandaddy's album The Sophtware Slump. This track is best experienced through headphones while curled up on a sofa, gazing out the window at a busy city street.

The Lovely Feathers - Photocorners 8.6/10

The Lovely Feathers are an indie guitar pop band from Montreal, Canada. This track is taken from their album Hind Hind Legs released by Equator Records in 2006. The track is a fine example of the unusual song structures they employ on the album Hind Hind Legs. The tempo and timing of the melody often shifts abruptly; it begins slowly and then goes through sequences of rapidly speeding up the pace and then slowing down again. The style is more akin to jazz bands and jam bands, but they make it seem like a perfectly natural technique to use in an indie pop song. The lyrics offer snapshots of lost love and longing, though the group choruses of 'We'd laugh if we were younger' sound positively joyous. I consider this to be an overlooked gem of a track, and the full album Hind Hind Legs is also worthy of another listen to appreciate the unique tempo shifts the band makes use of.

Waxahatchee - Coast to Coast 8.2/10

Waxahatchee is the stage name of Katie Crutchfield from the US state of Alabama. This track is taken from the album Cerulean Salt released by Don Giovanni Records in March 2013. The unusual name she has chosen for this project is taken from the nearby Waxahatchee Creek in central Alabama (which is the body of water she jumps into in the video). The sound of Cerulean Salt is a big step up from the acoustic bedroom production of 2012's American Weekend, and Coast to Coast showcases this more fully-formed electric sound. The track has a guitar hook that seems destined to be heard on rock radio, yet it peters out after just a minute and forty seconds of playing time. The song isn't all sweetness and light, the title Coast to Coast references a US radio call-in show which discusses conspiracy theories, while the lyrics contain a line about 'blood on the back seat'. The overall feeling is of a cross-country road trip with the windows down, making this a great summertime track.

Bibio - À tout à l'heure 9.0/10

Bibio is the stage name of Stephen Wilkinson from Wolverhampton, UK. This track is taken from the album Silver Wilkinson released in May 2013 on Warp Records. The theme of dreamy nostalgia runs through this warm and relaxing track, it's the sonic equivalent of a cup of hot chocolate on a winter's day or sunlight melting frost. Apparently most of this song was recorded outdoors in his garden, and the earthy, vibrant tones it emits are a reflection of this. The cryptic lyrics conjure up a nursery rhyme of childhood nostalgia, but Wilkinson's soothing voice becomes merely another instrument used to craft the buoyantly atmospheric mood he's aiming for. This is another track that will likely make my list of the Best of 2013.

Youth Lagoon - Mute 9.4/10

Youth Lagoon is Trevor Powers from Boise, Idaho. This track is taken from the album Wondrous Bughouse released by Fat Possum records in March 2013. This is the standout track from a standout album, a firm contender for song of the year for 2013. Powers is still in his early 20's but lyrically he tackles the big-picture subjects like mortality with wisdom beyond his years. His echoing vocals cascade through rainbows of glittering sounds, cutting loose in the brief chorus section with a melody which reminds me of early Radiohead, perhaps the song Stop Whispering. This is both challenging and non-formulaic in a way which doesn't sound like anything else being made at the moment, and it makes me wonder just where Powers will take his sound for the next album.

Painted Palms - Carousel 8.2/10

Painted Palms is an indie electro pop duo from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This track is from a two-track single released in March 2013 on Polyvinyl Records. The title 'Carousel' is well chosen as this track whirls about with a piano section which sounds like a leaf being blown around in the wind. At the outset there is a feeling of quiet introspection and longing, and this slowly develops into something more lively at 1:06 with a breezy, wistful melody which reminds me of childhood and playing outdoors on an autumn Sunday. A full-length LP is expected later this year from Painted Palms, and I can only hope this is an indication of the style they will aim for with the record. This is a richer, warmer sound than on their previous album Canopy from 2011, and shows greater complexity and depth in the songwriting.

Beta Frontiers - Hondo 8.4/10

Beta Frontiers are a lo-fi electro outfit from Toronto, Canada. This track is from the self-titled EP released in 2012 on local Toronto label Daps. Eighties-style disco synths and old-school keyboard effects chug along, gradually adding more steam until reaching critical danceability in the final minute (it takes effort not to move parts of your body after 2:28). The vocals by Becky Ninkovic are understated and sincere, and pair well with the retro-futurist groove Beta Frontiers are aiming for. This is a perfect soundtrack to an evening of Atari and 8-bit Nintendo games.