10. 
Caspian – La Cerva from the CASPIAN / CONSTANTS Split 7‘: Caspian has always been a shining star in this recent mess of mediocre instrumental bands. I’ve been waiting for that one song that would launch Caspian‘s potential meter through the roof and I think they’ve done it with this ever-so epic track taken from their split with Constants. You can purchase the EP here.
9. The Roots – Rising Up (Featuring Chrisette Michelle & Wale) from Rising Down: The magic of The Roots gloriously return with this gem of a track. If this song doesn’t remind you of the days of Things Fall Apart, you need get yourself educated.
8. Shearwater – Rooks from Rooks: Shearwater never ceases to amaze me with their dark yet fragile songs and this track enforces that. It wasn’t hard to fall in love with this song.
7. The Walkmen – In The New Year from You & Me: Viciously upbeat and begging to be loved, In The New Year is the poster song for The Walkmen‘s wonderful album, You & Me. This track will take you places…
6. Man Man -Top Drawer from Rabbit Habits: Man Man is, of course, best experienced live. However this song is the closest you’ll come to the chaos and fun that makes Man Man what they are. Whatever that is.
5. Why? – The Hollows from Alopecia: “To those last 10 years I been howlin’ a paper moon…fuck you.” Yoni Wolf returns with his infectiously catchy song about shit I can’t understand. I just know I love it all.
4. Hot Little Pony (Far) – Pony: To celebrate their 10 year return, Far recorded a ridiculously raunchy cover of Ginuine‘s Pony. What makes matters weirder, is that the now almost 40 year old lead singer, Jonah Matranga, sounds like a dirty old man singing to his 18 year old bitches. The song itself has become a radio and a strip bar hit all across the West Coast and isn’t showing signs of slowing down. (Song posted here)
3. Portishead – Machine Gun from Third: Another band that hasn’t played together in 10 years. GOD I love this track! I remember the face i made when I first listened to it in the car on way back from the local Rasputin. It was something like this. Anyway, it’s a wonderfully brutal return from this fantastic band.
2. Black Mountain – Bright Lights from In The Future: This intoxicating brew of metal, stoner rock, and garage-rock elements smoke and ignite at minute four. This 16:41 long track is a onslaught on the senses and battle cry to those skeptical critics.
1. Santogold – “Get It Up” (Radioclit Mix feat. M.I.A. and Gorilla Zoe) from Top Ranking: A Diplo Dub: This song will be my official summer anthem until…forever. It’s just a full out fun track that is definitely better than Santogold‘s whole debut record combined…in my humble opinion.