…And you all thought we were going to get out of our SXSW 2022 coverage without a playlist featuring all of the artists we were excited to discover at the festival this year. Nope! We hit the pavement listening for incredible acts, and got a lot of international artists on our list for up-and-coming greatness. Check out our playlist below, and let us know what SXSW artists you’d like us to add in for some more listening pleasure!
This playlist is all about sounds that make you want to walk with some pep in your step. We love syncopation, funky bass and powerful drums and try to capture that same energy in our own music. Many of these songs are from artists that have influenced us throughout our lives.
When I made a list of my favorite songs, I realized that all the songs chosen had deeply influenced me in one way or another. To be honest, it was my first time creating a compilation playlist. The process was quite enjoyable and enlightening.
All of these artists are unique, expressive, innovative and have made a lasting impact on me. Although exposing my roots leaves me feeling a bit naked… I hope you can enjoy these songs as much as I have!
At the end of the day, I still think of myself as just a music lover and mega geek.
Pavement – Mellow Jazz docent
The Breeders – Off You
The Cardigans – Starter
Portishead – Sour times
Aimee Mann – Red Vines
Beck – Pay no mind
Pixies – Hey
Smashing pumpkins – Hummer
Mannequin Pussy – Romantic
Autolux – Here comes everybody
Sonic Youth – Becuz
Garbage – Queer
Nirvana – Sliver
Red hot chili pepper – Warm Tape
Cornelius – New Music Machine
Ks choice – I smoke a lot
Dinosaur Jr – In a Jar
Immigration Unit – formed in April 2017 – is comprised of four musicians that are sporadically located between Basel, Torino, Geneva, and Caracas. In such a short amount of time, they are already independently releasing their debut EP Sofa Heroes on June 29th, 2018.
This premiere – which we are hosting exclusively – will absolutely shake your soul to its very core.
Let’s get this straight. I’m not telling you to go out an do drugs. You don’t need to. Save your money. “Immigration Unit” is not only the drug itself, they are the trip, the atmosphere, the sights, and the sounds. Their brand of experimental psychedelic alternative unpredictably teases and borderlines loungey, intense, melodic stoner rock. In a way they’re comparable to Beck, but less spastic. Way less spastic. You could actually chill to Immigration Unit even though there are at times just so many sounds and things going on.
The title track, “Sofa Heroes” is subtly electronic and dreary. Its start may seem abrasive and noisy but just wait. The bass line has an off-key groove while the vocals just slowly weave in and out. From a spoken word to an overdriven noisy pre-chorus. Capturing every emotion the way a year holds 4 changes of season.
“Wasting Mornings” travels an unknown winding road. Anticipatingly frightening as without warning turning the corner and sustaining a bumpless cruising speed. Unblemished vocals radiate so delicately. being accompanied by a droning silky smooth guitar line. The only predictable aspect of “Immigration Unit” is their unpredictability. as another abrupt change from subtle becomes overtaken by a drab tone that sees the vocals evolve like the wind commanding the storm to commence.
The remixed version of “Sofa Heroes” hesitantly departs from the trippy original and has a much darker texture. A trap beat is later consumed by an almost industrial feel with the utilization of thicker electronics and dirty percussive sounds.
Overall the EP is a manic mix of an unmedicated rollercoaster, This has got to be one of the better releases I’ve heard this year. Why? Well, it’s original. It’s obscure. It’s not thrown together. It literally has a directional purpose and allows you to travel with it.
Get all the details about the official release of Immigration Unit, “Sofa Heroes” by visiting their website and don’t forget to follow them on Facebook.
Los Angeles based alt rocker DAVIS recently premiered the music video for his track “Welcome to Los Angeles” with idobi Radio. The song itself blends whirring guitars and a laid back vibe to produce a low key “driving with the windows down in your car” visual, even without the video.
DAVIS curated a playlist exclusively for Imperfect Fifth to celebrate his new music video. Check it out below.
Bleachers:
This is the best song he’s done in my opinion. It’s got great lyrics, great production. And a bit of Springsteen in there, which is always a good thing.Blood Orange:
Dev Hynes is incredible: a true artist. He has an amazing way of creating a context to his music that welcomes the listener into his world.Cage The Elephant:
This is a Wreckless Eric song. I used to cover it all the time at The Sayers Club in Hollywood. Great tune. Cage The Elephant did a great version.QOTSA:
Queens is hands down the best rock n roll band out there right now. This song is insanely good. It’s got the best groove ever and the guitar parts are perfect.Michael Kiwanuka:
I first heard this song on the radio while stuck in terrible traffic on the Hollywood fwy. It somehow turned what was a drive through hell into a Tarantino movie. Epic.
Mikes Kane:
Classic. Emotive. Real.
Catfish and the Bottlemen:
I was obsessed with this song when it came out. Instantly brought me back to the early 2000s when you had amazing bands like The Libertines and Razorlight coming out.
Gorillaz:
Damon Albarn is a genius. Everything he does I’m a fan of. Incredible songwriter, incredible lyricist, and his melodies are always so angelic. This remix is great because it reminds of the early house music that came out of Manchester in the late 80s.
The Horrors:
This band gets better every single record. They are one of the few bands I can safely say that their best album is always their latest.
Beck:
Insane. Production is next level.
Hamilton Leithauser & Rostam:
Hamilton Leithauser’s voice is next level. He’s always been an inspiration on me vocally, ever since I heard him in The Walkmen.
