For those of us who don't generally enjoy rap or country music, the recent popular music trends are looking pretty bleak. Never fear, our indie and alt rock faves and their lesser-known but equally talented companions have come to our rescue. Below are some of my picks for a perfect summer 2015 playlist.
1. Best Coast
This super cool up-and-coming duo features a great female vocalist and some 80s style instrumentals and synths.
Suggested listening: Feeling Ok, Heaven Sent
2. Tan Vampires (in cover photo)
If you like the remarkably obscure, you'll love Tan Vampires. Every song is gold, but there are not many of them.
Suggested listening: I Can Hear Them In The Dark, Into The West
3. Beach House
Largely an instrumental band, the male/female duo has an interesting sound that is easy on the ears.
Suggested listening: Lazuli, Zebra
4. Girls
Another group that sounds like it's from another era, Girls was counterintuitively made up of two men. Sadly, the pair is no longer making music together, but their fun 50s-70s tunes are still very much available for your listening pleasure.
Suggested listening: Lust for Life, Laura
An oldie but goodie, The Hush Sound has periodically made music and stopped making music, but one thing remains constant: what they make is awesome. They have both a male and female vocalist. Think early Panic! At the Disco and you're almost there.
Suggested listening: Crawling Towards the Sun, Tidal Wave
6. Psapp
While all their music is super old (except a random brand new single), Psapp makes a good staple in every easy listening playlist. They're best known for "Cozy in the Rocket," which we know as the iconic theme song to Grey's Anatomy.
Suggested listening: Tricycle, Scissory
7. Hozier
Yes, that guy who you keep hearing on the radio. Yes, all three singles released in the US sound exactly alike. No, the rest of the album doesn't. There hasn't been a more perfect album in the past ten years. Fight me. Listen if you have ears. It's impossible not to like.
Suggested listening: Cherry Wine, Jackie and Wilson
8. CHVRCHES
With two hugely successful singles, CHVRCHES will likely become a staple of the alt rock scene within the next few years. Bring in awesome male and female vocals and a cool, relaxed sound and you have a recipe for success.
Suggested listening: Get Away, The Mother We Share
This gorgeous Irish man with an even more gorgeous voice produces the type of music you want to bathe your body in. If you're a sucker for a more folkish indie sound, this is your man.
Suggested listening: Higher Love (Steve Winwood cover), Wicked Game
10. Healing Power/The Pomegranates
Formerly known as The Pomegranates, Healing Power is a fun, upbeat band from Cincinnati. Make these guys famous. They're spectacular and incredibly unknown.
Suggested listening: The Pomegranates- 50s, Create Your Own Reality; Healing Power- Surfing The Human Heart, Heartache
11. Boy & Bear
Though they have gained some popularity among alternative rock fans in Australia and have a single with Passenger of "Let Her Go" fame, Boy & Bear remains relatively unknown in the United States but serves as excellent windows-rolled-down music.
Suggested listening: Southern Sun, Part Time Believer
12. Cocorosie
What we know: If you feel up for an adventure, go make yourself listen to five Cocorosie songs. Their use of everyday sounds in music and the notably odd vocals are off-putting initially, but provide something far more interesting than most current artists. I'm holding out hope for more from these ladies.
Suggested listening: Terrible Angels, Werewolf
13. She & Him
The multi-talented Zooey Deschanel and her companion M. Ward make sweet, pretty, usually upbeat music reminiscent of the stuff our grandparents listened to when they were our age.
Suggested listening: Would You Like to Take a Walk, Lingering Still
14. Deptford Goth
I discovered Deptford Goth because I liked the song during a sex scene on Teen Wolf so much that I Googled the lyrics until I found it. The super sexy Daniel Woolhouse with an equally sexy voice has more than one song that sounds like MTV sex scene music. Listen to any song and you'll know what I mean.
Suggested listening: The Lovers, Union
This absolute powerhouse band (finally) has a new album coming out this summer that is already seeming amazing, if "What Kind of Man," "St. Jude," and "Ship to Wreck," are any indication. Keep an eye and an ear out for the album drop.
Suggested listening: Heartlines, Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up)
16. Milky Chance
The artist of the ever-catchy "Stolen Dance" has more up his sleeve for us.
Suggested listening: Flashed Junk Mind, Down By The River
17. Fences
Though they've been around a couple years, Fences has recently gotten a bit more attention, and recently released "Arrows" featuring Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.
Suggested listening: Sunburns, Songs About Angels
18. Mumford & Sons
While avid fans are not all happy with the recent sound shift from M&S, giving their new music a good listen seems like the least we can do for years of banjo-filled perfection. Besides, it sounds a bit like Coldplay, and who doesn't like Coldplay?
Suggested listening: Wilder Mind, Snake Eyes
19. Banks
The sultry voiced Banks has been described as dark R&B and alternative pop, but one listen to any of her songs explains why she's on this list.
Suggested listening: Goddess, Beggin' for Thread
20. Vance Joy
While we all know every word to mega hits "Riptide" and "Mess is Mine," Vance Joy has produced lots of catchy, remarkably inoffensive music that just will not get out of your head once you've heard it.
Suggested listening: Who Am I, Winds Of Change
21. St. Lucia
While their library is a couple years old now, St. Lucia is still alive and kicking and performing, and their renovated 1980s sound is just as cool now as it was two or three years ago.
Suggested listening: Elevate, Closer Than This
Though they aren't making it anymore, the music Bedouin Soundclash gifted to the world is just about as perfect as it gets for summertime.
Suggested listening: St. Andrews, Brutal Hearts
23. George Ezra
Despite being a new artist, George Ezra's singles have both gone over amazingly well. It's not hard to see why, or better yet to hear it; his voice is low and deep and sounds as smooth as butter, except maybe butter spread with cinnamon is a better analogy because there's definitely a spice to it.
Suggested listening: Budapest, Angry Hill
24. Whilk & Misky
Another awesome two-man band, Whilk & Misky has an incredibly original, sexy sound. With some southern touches, the sound can also be compared to Milky Chance, particularly since one of the members sounds just like him.
Suggested listening: Burn With Me, Babe I'm Yours
25. Børns
The up-and-coming solo artist Taylor Borns (Børns) recently got the Taylor Swift seal of approval, which is basically equivalent to a golden ticket to stardom. Whether you love her or hate her, you'll like her music taste. It's pretty poppy but it's definitely easy listening. Think recent Passion Pit.
Suggested listening: Seeing Stars, 10,000 Emerald Pools
For your sake, that's all, folks! Let me know if I missed anyone important in the comments section below. Enjoy your playlist!
