PixlBit

Disclaimer: Yes, I know i'm very late for Friday's BaD posting. Forgive my rushed work on some of the song descriptions and just ignore that I posted this just beginning Saturday. Though maybe it still counts considering I started this before the end of Friday.

Let's take a rest from my video game first impressions and jump to another medium i'm obssesed with: music!

Those who know internet music reviewer Todd in the Shadows really should know by now how 2014 kinda sucked in terms of the main Billboard chart in the US, with it being dominated by gratious EDM (of mixed quality), Hip-Hop and R&B having a notable nosedive ("cough" Jason Derulo "cough"), not an interesting trend like 2013 having a small disco revival and of course, freaking butt songs! Of course, most of the non-charting stuff is much better, altough I should mention I was not very attentive to a lot of music last year since I heard less of my favorite alternative radio station mostly out of lazyness and partly due to time differences when I lived in Belgium, so there are few songs here compared to 2012 or 2013, where in the latter I couldn't make a blog because there were so many songs that I couldn't keep track off and would had to make two entries!

Nevertheless, even the weakest of years have good redeeming qualities and if anyone tries to put Anaconda, just blast the following songs. With all that said, let's begin.

Perturbator- She is Young, She is Beautiful, She is Next

If you have played Hotline Miami, you may have heard of this guy who contributed two songs for the game. Perturbator, with others like Kavinsky, is part of this new kind of 80s Synthpop/ Electro-Pop/Electronic revival that's pretty much out of the decade, wouldn't be out of place in a soundtrack at that time and also manages to sound modern in the process. I'm honestly loving this kind of music and this is so far one of the strongest outputs i've heard in a while. I just love how it starts soft enough, but then starts building up and then intense synth glory. It grabs the attention of the listener quickly and never has an uninteresting moment. I also love that music video. Dat animation and pixel art!

Future Islands-Seasons (Waiting on You)

From the few times I listened my alternative station, this was one of the songs that was pretty popular, though I never knew the name and who did it until mothman posted this song on one of his blogs and I was like "Hey, I know this song!". I think this is a honest to god beautiful song, from the lyrics to the composition of the music, and most of all, I love the New Wave influence all over it, mostly seen in that fantastic synth. Definitely a great Indie song.

Alt-J-Hunger of the Pine

Warning! music video not for the squeamish

I've been a follower if not outright fan of Alt-J ever since i've heard Breezeblocks. I like their minimalistic aproach to songs and how they combine Indie Rock with some bits of Electronic, but make it sound like no other band. Their single released on this year continues that tradition very well, only now with much more Electronic music and bit of Hip-Hop beats into the mix, making for a very interesting song that starts soft but then continues with a constant beat that never get tiring. I also like the female vocal samples used here, odly fitting into the rest of the song.

The War on Drugs-Red Eyes

There always seems to be an Indie band who becomes a darling for critics each year and may even have their album as number one on the year-end lists. This year it was the turn for The War on Drugs, whose 2014 album saw praise on many sites and was number one on the AVClub's list of 2014 albums. Now, I will say that I don't think the band innovates that much when I listened to their singles, but they make it up by being excellent at the music they do and having songs that are beautiful in their compositions. Red Eyes is that and I think it introduces the band very well.

The War on Drugs-Under the Pressure

Yup, more of them and now with epic rocking. Pretty much what I said above applies here.

Swans-A Little God in my Hands

In 2014 I discovered Swans, an old cult Post-Punk (now doing Post Rock) band which has been described as nightmare in Rock form. This was the first song i've heard of them and I was weirded out in the best way posible. Lots of distortion, harsh omnious vocals and heavy noises, with a sence of dread emanating in every corner of it. It's strange, very much scary, hard to digest and totally awesome. I look forward in listening the rest of their output.

Royal Blood-Little Monster

Always nice to have rocking number once in a while. I honestly don't have much to say why I love this song. It's a well done Rock song that is hard, the best kind of catchy, has great instrumentation and my god, that guitar is awesome. Kinda interested in listening to the other songs of these guys.

Kongos-Come With me Now

Ladies and gents, one of the few Rock songs to make it on the Billboard year end list of charting hits. Despite the genre still being alive, its prominence on the Pop charts has been VERY minimal, with the few only a few ones being lucky enough just to be there, let alone chart high if they are lucky, and not being the type of Rock you would mostly associate right away with the genre. Then comes Come With me Now, a straight traditional Rock song (although with Country and Blues elements) that for me was a surprise chart succes. This song is fantastic all-around, from the great use of intruments, how it increasingly gets heavier, the build-up to the choruses and just sounding epic.

Mastodon-High Road

I'm a fan of Mastodon, so I was excited when I discovered they made an album in 2014. Now, I haven't gotten to it yet, so I won't deny if anyone tells me there are better songs on the album than the first single, but you have to admit that High Road is top-notch on itself, with the usual Mastodon style we all know and love.

Mastodon-Chimes at Midnight

Problem with Mastodon being again? Too bad, it's my list. While High Road is more on the harshness, Chimes at Midnight goes to their Progressive Metal side and shows that the band still has it and I even prefer it over High Road. Just an epic song all-around.

Faith No More-Motherfucker

Faith No More is coming back on 2015 with a new album. I simply couldn't be much happier, especially when they decided to give fans a preview of what's to come with the power that is Motherfucker. I can't give proper justice to the song, so i'll let you listen and be the judge. I can only say that i'm excited for the final product of Mike Patton and co.

Before I finish, here are some honorable mentions that I really like, but haven't listen to that much or weren't quite there to make the list for one reason or another:

-Death Grips-Billy Not Really.

-Hozier-Take Me To Church.

-Mark Ronson Feat. Bruno Mars-Uptown Funk.

-Pharrel Williams-Happy.

-Crosses-The Epilogue.

-Another one of Crosses that I can't remember its name.

-Modest Mouse-Dashboards on Fire.

-Insomnium-Shadows of a Dying Sun.

-Primordial-Where Greater Men Have Fallen.

-Soen-Tellurian.

-Soen-The Words.

Anyway, that's all for today. Hope you enjoyed the songs.