April showers are upon us, and we aren’t exactly seeing any flowers on the horizon. Mostly those gray skies make us want to hunker under some headphones for the duration of the month. If you’re feeling those pre-sunny day blues, we have just the right dose of noise to keep you going. This week’s mixtape has new ones from heavy hitters like the Beastie Boys and LCD Soundsystem (RIP), not to mention some great new tracks from Flavorpill favorites Chiddy Bang and Cults. Right click + save as to download some single-serving goodness, or scroll tot he bottom for the whole mix.
1. “Ever Falling in Love” by Times New Viking
Ohio-based lo-fi wizards Times New Viking are back with another delicious slice of brash, echoey, basement pop. Look out for their new album, Dancer Equired, on April 26th.
2. “Can’t Keep Johnny Down” by They Might Be Giants
If you have a nerd-crush on They Might Be Giants like we do, you’ll be equally thrilled with their new album Join Us, their first in a while to aim for a higher age bracket. “Can’t Keep Johnny Down” is a sweet, sophisticated pop nugget in true TBMG form.
3. “Life Fantastic” by Man Man
Man Man are coming back in May with a new album, Life Fantastic, and the eponymous title track promises just as much warbly, off-kilter fun as their last offering. We detected a hint of Tom Waits in there, too.
4. “King of Diamonds” by Motopony
Seattle-based group Motopony sounds like what would happen if you were on an all Mick Jagger diet for a year and then made a Built to Spill cover album. It’s sweet, melodic pop with a streak of something darker underneath. Plus xylophones.
5. “Circuital” by My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket is back in a serious way, kicking off their upcoming full-length — also named Circuital — with this epic, seven-minute track. Look for the new album on May 31st.
6. “Live Alone” by LCD Soundsystem (Franz Ferdinand cover)
For all you in mourning after the last LCD Soundsystem show, here’s a small consolation: this live Franz Ferdinand cover, recorded in honor of Record Store Day.
7. “Heatwave” by Chiddy Bang (ft. Mac Miller)
It’s a little early for humid-weather jams, but this one is our first entry in our summer playlist. The Motown sample mixing Chiddy Bang with Mac Miller’s swagger makes it just the thing for the long days and hot nights in July.
8. “Make Some Noise” by the Beastie Boys
The hotly anticipated Hot Sauce Committee Vol. 2 is on its way, and “Make Some Noise” is the first taste of it. It’s some good, Check Your Head-era stuff, complete with some sweet keyboard action.
Another band getting in on the Record Store promotions is Cults, who debuted this track (to be released on 7″ vinyl) in honor of the indie-kid high holy day.
10. “Never Hesitant” by Blaqstarr (ft. M.I.A.)
Another week, another star-studded mixtape. This one is well worth a listen, featuring the likes of Rye Rye, Mos Def, and (of course) M.I.A. Download the whole thing over at Blaqstarr’s website.