We prematurely mourned the end of summer in last week’s mix. We still have time before the cold sets in — let’s celebrate. Give your fingers a little warm-up stretch and get ready to “Right Click, Save Link As,” because after the jump we present 10 essential downloads from our latest Viva Radio show that we consider required listening at Flavorpill HQ. Enjoy!
A Grave With No Name – “Open Water” Picture Animal Collective circa Sung Tongs, only performing while strapped to the bottom of the sea. Sad imagery, cool song. [Download Now] via RCRDLBL
Friend – “What Is It” The track begins with a seagull squawk, later incorporating a steel drum melody over bells and a shaker. Incoherent spoken word poetry then follows, as recited by an Alvin the Chipmunk-inspired voice. And somehow, this is all very relaxing. [Download Now] via RCRDLBL
Best Coast – Sun Was High (So Was I) Released earlier in the summer, it is only fitting that we close the season with this nostalgia (and distortion) drenched tune. Bethany Cosentino, formerly of Pocahaunted, is the frontwoman. [Download Now] via Gorilla Vs. Bear
Radiohead – “These Are My Twisted Words” The Internet cried both tears of joy and pain as Radiohead delivered this song without the rumored Wall of Ice EP last week. It’s a reckless guitar-driven track that rids itself of In Rainbows‘ haunting beauty in favor of Thom Yorke’s twisted words. [Download Now] via Pitchfork
Wavves – “Cool Jumper” The newest song from Wavves, allegedly featuring Zach Hill of Hella on the drums. You know the drill — Nathan Williams’ classic “OooOoo’s” and oodles of mucky fuzz with a sing-a-long melody. [Download Now] via Gorilla Vs. Bear
Memory Tapes – “Bicycle” Despite writing himself off as “just another guy from Jersey,” Memory Tapes AKA Memory Cassette AKA Weird Tapes has stormed the blogosphere with his multiple song-writing aliases. Carles of Hipster Runoff can only describe his sound as “chillwave.” This sums the music up nicely. [Download Now] via Gorilla Vs. Bear
New Times Viking – “Moving to California” Not to be confused with anything on The O.C. soundtrack. [Download Now] via Stereogum
Washed Out – “Belong” Thumping bass, psychedelic reggae synth, and echoing vocals to force your mind into an ambient haze? Check, check, and check. [Download Now] via Stereogum
The Babies – “Meet Me in the City” The aptly titled offspring/side-project of Vivian Girls’ Cassie and Wood’s Kevin. The Fader describes their collaboration accurately: “Perfect dollop of garage pop: simple, sweet, raucous, overdriven, karaoke-able, vaguely screamy, encapsulating some archetypal “cool kids hanging out.” That last one was a Flavorpill reference. [Download Now] via The Fader
Atlas Sound – “Walk a Thin Line” Sparse acoustic rendition of the Fleetwood Mac song, as performed by Bradford Cox of Deerhunter. [Download Now] via Pretty Much Amazing