2016 - "Under the Sun" - DIIV

Hypnotic and driving bass line. Check, check.
Clangly, jangly and swirling guitars. Check, check and check.
Guitars that sound like shimmering synths. Le check. 

Lovin' the sublime intro and all the layers of this dreamy haze, while channeling mid-80s Cure and early 90s Stone Roses for a retro post-punk vibe. 

This is music you play on sunny mornings with the windows open and top down. 

Shout out to high school buddy Patrick Carr for recommending this track. Now I want a fog machine.

Other favourites from 2016: 

"Secrets" - The Weeknd

"Way to Go" - Empire of the Sun

2015 - "Mountain at My Gates" - Foals

Opens with a delicate melody that builds into a powerful feel-good tune. It's an anthem of sorts, so if you enjoyed U2 around the Rattle and Hum era, you may also appreciate this.

Other favourites from 2015: 

"Leave a Trace" - CHVRCHES

"Restless" – New Order

"The Shade" – Metric

"Hello" – Adele

2014 - "Meteghan" - Arthur Comeau

Part electro, part hop-hop, this laid-back and très drole track is a sort of homecoming for a talented gars de chez nous. 

Meteghan is home for me too; and you're all invited to visit once this shitstorm passes...

Other favourites from 2014: 

"Fade Out Lines" - The Avener 

"Under the Pressure" - The War on Drugs

"Only Human" – Delphic 

2013 - "Get Lucky" - Daft Punk

Pharrell Williams: I'm loving' this retro disco vibe, but this doesn't sound at all like Daft Punk. 
Breakdown: Hold my quarantini.

Maybe not quite "September" groovy, but not bad for 2013.

A fine throwback, instantly catchy and thoroughly funky. 

Other favourites from 2013: 

"The Messenger" – Johnny Marr 

"Reflektor" - Arcade Fire

"Summer Breeze" – Pepper the Crow

"Cool Kids" - Echosmith

2012 - "Motion Sickness" - Hot Chip

The minute and a half intro spins and stuns, setting the stage for a muscular electro groove. Oscillating synths and throbbing bass build and build and build. Should have been a single and still one of my fave running songs.  

On the London trip where we saw George Michael's (unbeknownst to us) last concert, there were two artists we should have seen that week: Suzanne Vega and Hot Chip.  

Other favourites from 2012: 

"The Page" - Chromatics

"Where Is It Going?" - Orbital

"Take A Walk" – Passion Pit

"Doused" - DIIV