Lewis and his Blog May 2012 Mix

When it comes to new music being released, May was one of my favorite months so far this year. In keeping with my 2012 tradition of making a 10 track mix of new songs every month this year, here is the latest installment in my monthly mix series. Stream this month’s mix at the embedded link below, or at my 8tracks page. If you want to check out the previous months’ mixes, head over to my “Monthly Mix” tag HERE. 

Lewis and his Blog//May 2012 Mix

1. The Hiya Dunes - “Black Fur”

These SUNY Purchase kids apparently didn’t get the memo that reverb-heavy beach rock is played out, but with tunes as good as this one, who cares? Long live summer 2009. Download The Hiya Dunes’ new record High Tide over at their bandcamp page, or pick up the casette for $5 at the Seagreen Records webstore.

2. Animal Collective - “Honeycomb”

At the beginning of the month, Animal Collective debuted two new tracks from a forthcoming 7”, and soon afterwards announced a new full length LP called Centipede Hz. That LP is due out in September, but the 7” should hold us over until then. Of the two tracks, “Honeycomb” is the highlight, with its spacey drums and returned-member Deakin’s psychedelic guitar leads. Check out both tracks and purchase the 7” digitally or on vinyl HERE.

3. Fang Island - “Asunder”

Like Animal Collective before them, the Rhode Island math rock act Fang Island also debuted a new single  this month, coinciding with the announcement of a new album. The joyous, guitar-worshipping “Asunder” is the first track to debut from Major, the band’s forthcoming third LP, which will be released July 24th via Sargent House. 

4. Sean Milo - “Eyes So Small”

Teenaged songwriter/producer Sean Milo is a rare talent in the bedroom pop world. On “Eyes So Small,” the most recent single from his forthcoming album The February Heat Wave, Milo layers subtle percussion, twinkly guitars, and slurred vocals to produce a calm, soothing aesthetic wash that builds effortlessly to a dramatic climax in the final minute. Download “Eyes So Small” on bandcamp HERE.

5. The Tallest Man On Earth - “1904”

Appropriately named There’s No Leaving Now, Kristian Matsson’s latest record as The Tallest Man On Earth is a remarkably ambitious sonic step forward for the Swedish folk singer. Thankfully, as tracks like the aching lead single “1904” show, he hasn’t lost his ability to craft great folk songs under all the aesthetic trappings. The album is available for pre-order now from Dead Oceans.

6. Sun Kil Moon - “Among The Leaves”

The latest songwriting effort from Mark Kozelek’s Sun Kil Moon project is surprisingly open and earnest, giving a lot of previously unseen insight into Kozelek’s psyche. It’s also filled with some really gorgeous music, as evidenced by the lush, string-laden title track. Among The Leaves is available for purchase now from Caldo Verde Records.

7. Mount Eerie - “Through The Trees pt. 2”

Clear Moon, Phil Elverum’s most recent full length album as Mount Eerie, is a remarkable subtle and introspective affair, dealing primarily with minimalist instrumentation and lyrics about coming to terms with unfamiliar places. These themes are exemplified by “Through The Trees pt. 2,” which was released as a single earlier in the year but works best in the context of the album. Purchase Clear Moon from Elverum’s record label HERE.

8. Self Defense Family - “Self Immolation Family”

Try as they might to cover it up with name changes, unpredictable promotional strategies, and their utterly hilarious tumblr page, Self Defense Family can’t help but make fascinating music. “Self Immolation Family,” the frostbitten a-side to their new Iceland 7”, might be their most interesting — if not best — song to date. Purchase the new 7” from Deathwish Records HERE.

9. Milkshakes - “Joey Fitness”

“Joey Fitness”, the last track on Milkshakes’ new split with Wisdom Teeth, manages to condense nearly 22 years of indie/emo angst into just over 2 minutes. Stream Milkshakes’ half of the split on their bandcamp page HERE, and download all three tracks for free. 

10. Spirit Night - “The Last Time”

Spirit Night’s new record One Man Houses stands among the best indie rock revival records of 2012 so far because it challenges traditional indie rock tropes rather than just reinforcing them. With its arching guitars, cryptic, disturbing lyrics, and skyward vocal melody, the album highlight “The Last Time” is a heavy, emotional tearjerker that will serve as a great closer to your next summer mixtape. Read my review of One Man Houses HERE and download the record on their bandcamp page.