Stream the playlist below.
Wilco
“Magnetized”
A new one from Chicago’s pop-rock royalty who hasn’t released one bad album over a 20-year career.
The Eagle Rock Gospel Singers
“Little Light”
This song is a bright spot for WYCE. The band was formed in Los Angeles by a few bored friends who happened to be fans of traditional music and it turned quickly into a full-time gig. Inspired by the Staple Singers, spring-boarded by Woody Guthrie, they will tote this enjoyable collaboration to the Calvin Fine Arts Center on Sept. 23.
Blitzen Trapper
“All Across This Land”
Some solid bucolic sub-rock.
Jacco Gardner
“Hypnophobia”
The Dutch Baroque-pop artist released this equally global, psychedelic and danceable masterpiece into our world of music this year. Title track “Hypnophobia” warns the listener of the wily pleasures of this addictive stew.
Built to Spill
“So”
After 23 years, this rock band still has it. This is the band’s eighth masterpiece.
Beach House
“PPP”
Hazy mist-pop from these veteran Baltimore post-rockers.
The Go Rounds
“Lay With Love”
These Kalamazoo troubadours and Earthwork Music collaborators explore soul music, baroque folk, country and classic rock ‘n’ roll.
The Suffers
“Gwan”
Gulf-Coast Soul.
Public Enemy
“Lost in Space”
As usual, PE delivers some mature, political hip-hop of the highest quality.
Tunde Olaniran
“Transgressor”
Michigan alternative R&B/electronic artist Tunde is simply a must-see performer. This is the title track off his first widely-distributed album. He can be seen next on Oct. 30 at The Pyramid Scheme.
Toro Y Moi
“The Flight”
Some A+ chillwave.
Mac DeMarco
“Without Me”
British Columbian Mac DeMarco plays self-described “jizz jazz,” which could have easily been inspired by the eerie sounds of ‘80s classics heard from an old portable cassette deck — or the therapeutic process of walking in a pool. This stuff is surprisingly catchy.
Widespread Panic
“Steven’s Cat”
Jam/trad via the veteran band’s 12th studio album, Street Dogs.
Songhoy Blues
“Nick”
Great desert blues is some of the most beautiful music in the world. When Jihadists took over northern Mali, they banned all music. The historic circumstances inspired the 2015 film They Will Have to Kill Us First and Songhoy Blues’ album, Music In Exile. SXSW, NPR and WYCE are a few outlets that are giving early recognition to this mind-altering music and story.
