2014 // Favorite Records

It’s become way too hard (and not as fulfilling) to try to maintain Pop Headwound as I get older. Music is still there, and it still echoes around my car and my headphones and my living room and it is still affecting me in the same ways it always has. In some ways it affects me even more (there’s nothing like hearing your 3 year old try to sing along to Spoon songs). These are the records released in 2014 that are resonating with me most right now.

1- Hallelujah the Hills // Have You Ever Done Something Evil?
2- The War on Drugs // Lost in the Dream
3- Protomartyr // Under Color of Official Right
4- Spoon // They Want My Soul
5- Parquet Courts // Sunbathing Animal
6- The Hotelier // Home, Like Noplace Is There
7- Sun Kil Moon // Benji
8- Angel Olson // Burn Your Fire for No Witness
9- Future Islands // Singles
10- The Men // Tomorrow’s Hits

11- Ought // More Than Any Other Day
12- Cymbals Eat Guitars // LOSE
13- Alvvays // Alvvays
14- Great Elk // Star Stuff
15- Hamilton Leithauser // Black Hours
16- Spider Bags // Frozen Letter
17- Ty Segall // Manipulator
18- Cloud Nothings // Here and Nowhere Else
19- Bry Webb // Free Will
20- James Vincent McMorrow // Post Tropical
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Phosphorescent - "Ya Hey" (Vampire Weekend cover)

Another Phosphorescent cover, this time a stunning version of VW's Modern Vampires of the City standout. This dude could sing a take-out menu and have it break yr heart.

Phosphorescent - "Tomorrow Is A Long Time" (Dylan cover)

Matthew Houck turns in a gorgeously true-to-the-original version of one of Dylan's greatest love songs. To appear on a freakin' Starbucks CD for cryin out loud. --------------------------------------------

The Men - "Pearly Gates"

The Men’s Tomorrow’s Hits will be released February 4th through Sacred Bones Records. It will be the band's 4th record in 4 years, and that doesn't even include their self-released 2010 debut (that I have never heard). Sounds like the boys have discovered saxophones here on "Pearly Gates", but the inclusion of horns does little to keep this one from sounding as if it's about to derail at any moment. --------------------------------

Protomartyr - "Scum, Rise"

Hey so I’ve been spinnin’ the holy hell out of No Passion All Technique, the 2013 record by Detroit garage/punk warriors Protomartyr, since hearing about it a few weeks back.  Hardly Art announced today that the band will soon follow it up with Under Cover of Official Right.  “Scum, Rise” is the typically heavy-hitting first glimpse.

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Day Ravies

Day Ravies is a Sydney based band that mix equal parts otherworldly shoegaze with stirring indie-pop. Their debut Tussle is filled with great songs and the long lost art of loud guitars. Here’s the song “Double Act”, go to the band’s bandcamp to hear the rest. One of (the/last) year’s best records. Check it out: