Jay’s Favorite Tracks of 2015

Jay — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 14:41:20 +0000

2015 was quite a year. For me it was a year of unparalleled personal and professional growth. In fact — and in full disclosure — this was also the year I hit 30. Maybe it’s reaching a new decade or maybe it was just the tone of music in 2015 or maybe I’m just projecting, but I noticed my favorite tracks being much more lyrically driven than in previous years. There’s certainly no doubting this notion with selections like Tame Impala’s “Let It Happen,” Grimes’ “REALiTi (Demo),” Courtney Barnett’s “Depreston,” and Kurt Vile’s “Pretty Pimpin.” Now, I understand this isn’t quite a resounding plug for an uplifting listen. However, there is a realness, intensity, and immediacy in these songs that I haven’t noticed or felt in my prior year-end lists. Also unlike years past, I made the decision to keep my playlist to my absolute top 10 songs — no more, no less. So, to stay with the theme of conciseness, here are the 10 songs that made my 2015. I hope you find as much enjoyment out of them as I have over the course of the year.

DIIV – Dopamine

Jay — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 13:26:43 +0000

It’s been a long time since Brooklyn-janglers DIIV released new music — three years, to be exact — which can build some lofty expectations and eagerness for new material. This past week, the band unceremoniously delivered the first taste of upcoming album, Is The Is The Are, by releasing new track ‘Dopamine’ late at night and out of the blue. The track is a pleasant mix of their usual reverb-heavy and melodic guitar work with a new positive sheen and tightness. This sound is a stark contrast to the lyrical content of personal insecurities and drug use to fill the void, but this only adds to the complexity and maturity the band is showing. Even with the expectations placed on this first release, it is a success and builds further anticipation for more new material.

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Jay’s Favorite Tracks of 2015

DIIV – Dopamine