We get a lot of records sent to us here at The A.V. Club. Fortunately, we end up liking some of them. That’s why we launched Playlisted, to share our latest recommendations of tracks music fans have to hear.
Taylor Swift, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”
Without a doubt, the most talked-about single this week is Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” Sure, people are wondering who scorned or was scorned by Swift, but more than that, they’re talking about what a good song it is. With its thumping kick drum, clipped syncopation, and mildly snarky lyrics, it’s a teen dream in the vein of Swift’s other sing-along jams like “Love Story” or “You Belong With Me.”
Ty Segall, “The Hill”
Moving from one T.S. to another, we arrive at “The Hill,” the first single off Ty Segall’s forthcoming record Twins. While there’s never a shortage of Segall material (he already put out two records this year: Hair as Ty Segall And White Fence and Slaughterhouse as Ty Segall Band), his tracks are still always worth a spin or 20. “The Hill” rumbles through headphones best, alive with buzzing guitars, angelic backing vocals, and dense solos. Twins is out this October on Drag City.
Pinback, “Proceed To Memory”
It’s been five long years since Pinback put out its last record, Autumn Of The Seraphs, but the group returns this fall with Information Retrieved. While the San Diego band’s sound has never varied much from album to album, fans don’t seem to mind, lapping up every milky new harmony and lush arrangement. As expected, “Proceed To Memory” isn’t that big a leap from any other Pinback song, but that’s still not a bad thing.
Flying Lotus, “See Thru To U” featuring Erykah Badu
Fall 2012 is packed with heavily anticipated albums, not the least of which is Flying Lotus’ Until The Quiet Comes, due out Oct. 2. As on past collaborations with artists like Thom Yorke, Flying Lotus excels when he’s allowed to be his trippiest. That’s exactly what he does on “See Thru To U” with the American queen of weird herself, Erykah Badu. The track is a little out of left field, described by Flying Lotus himself as, “a collage of mystical states, dreams, sleep, and lullabies,” but that makes it all the better. Tune in, drop out, and turn on Flying Lotus.
The Coup, “Magic Clap”
When Bay Area political hip-hop group The Coup announced its new record earlier this week, it also released a new single. “Magic Clap” is off Sorry To Bother You, due out Oct. 30, and it’s already a solid contender for song of the year. Combining the catchiness of early-’00s Outkast with the political fire Boots Riley and crew are known for, “Magic Clap” is a protest song for the masses. It’s the perfect accompaniment to any hell-raising, be it a black bloc march or composing an angry email to a congressman.