Dan Auerbach’s World of Soul

Thank you Relix for getting Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys to share five of his favorite old soul 45’s. These five tracks will blow your mind and will easily be the best fifteen minutes or so of your week.

Sugar Pie Desanto “Going Back Where I Belong” (1960)

Harold Burrage “Things Ain’t Like They Used To Be (Since You’ve Been Gone)” (1965)

The Five Stairsteps “Danger! She’s A Stranger” (1967)

The Glass House “I Don’t See Me In Your Eyes Anymore” (1972)

David Ruffin “The Double Cross” (1969)

Bowie

The Drums – Days

Have a look at the new video for “Days” by The Drums.

The Drums have clearly studied their Smiths albums well as they have perfected that insanely catch melancholy sound. “Days” is a quiet New Wave banger filled with subtle longing. “Days go by, and I never needed you,” Jonathan Pierce croons repeatedly over an infectiously steady bass line.

Good ol’ sorrowful British new wave

AA Loves - Polock

It's official, Polock is my “Favorite Band From 2010 That I Wish I Had Heard About Because They Would Have Made My Best Of 2010 List” band.

Essentially a Spanish version of Phoenix, these five lads from Valencia churn out delicious indie pop gems that ninja their way into your brain. Sun kissed, blissed out, insanely catchy blah blah blah you get the idea, now just listen to the tracks below and be sure to grab their album Getting Down the Trees.

Savages – “City’s Full”

The cold, distant style of Joy Division lives on in Savages. Infusing that wondrous spacey sound with plenty of noise rock, this quartet from London will blow your mind.

Aside from the thrumming Tranmission-esque riff, the vocals draw you in with all their primordial glory – there’s something about those short screams and screeches that are oddly charming.

Watch the live performance of “City’s Full,” filmed at the band’s debut London show at Shacklewell Arms, below.

Phantogram – Don’t Move

I can’t get enough of this live version of Phantogram’s “Don’t Move.” Taken from a radio session with Minnesota’s The Current, this dark electro-pop gem is perfect for a Friday.

Far more upbeat than their murky debut LP, Eyelid Movies, “Don’t Move” is lushly layered with bright beats, omnipresent synths, and a chorus that sears itself into your mind. Let’s not forget Sarah Barthel’s vocals – they’re evocative as ever with their breathy ghostliness.

Watch the video below and be sure to grab the Nightlife EP if you haven’t already.