Before I jump into this, it is always helpful to note that this is solely my opinion. A ton of music comes out in a single month, I am by no means saying I’ve heard close to all that was worth hearing. However, these are the tracks that I heard this month, loved, and kept on repeat. Slip Away by Perfume Genius This song. THIS SONG.  It’s honestly hard for me to write about Slip Away, as I feel I could never do it justice. It’s production is even grander than anything that Mike Hadreas has put out as Perfume Genius.  More explosive than anything off of Too Bright, although I’ll concede it doesn’t quite reach the noisiness reached on songs like Grid. It’s honestly hard at times to remember that Perfume Genius used to release songs in which he was very retreated and behind the mix; showcased on songs such as No Problem, off of Learning, as well as the title track of that album. But Mike now puts his vocals at the forefront of the mix, and has amped up the instrumentation 1000 times, and all I’m left thinking is, can you leak the album?!? Because, I can’t wait! Also, the video is incredible as well, highlighting the explosions of sound with bursts of light. I honestly haven’t listened to another song since this dropped a few days ago. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPiiY4a1vf4   Third of May by Fleet Foxes FLEET FOXES IS BACK! THIS ISN’T A DRILL! 5 LONG YEARS!! And on Third of May it is very clear that that time wasn’t spent all away from the studio. There is a ton and a half happening on Third of May, more than I could begin to cover, not to mention that it is a track is near nine minutes long. All I can say is, listen to this track, please. PLEASE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GqgNebPm50   Answer My Text by PWR BTTM Let me preface this by saying that I may be a little partial towards this song as I have seen PWR BTTM live three times this past month, and every time I witnessed Liv Bruce belt out this song. But honestly, as college students, who hasn’t dealt with this exact problem. You text someone that you have a romantic interest in, and then frantically pace around your apartment for eight hours waiting for any sort of reply, EVEN though you’ve just put your whole heart on the line. The hook is unbelievably catchy, if aren’t yelling “ANSWER MY TEXT YOU DICK” along with Liv, you’re either no fun, or are in a healthy relationship. Either way, this song is relatable and rock-able on extreme levels. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlNHAkXDS10   Total Entertainment Forever by Father John Misty Is there an album more hyped right now, at least in the indie-sphere, than Father John Misty’s upcoming Pure Comedy? (out on SubPop next month on April 7th) This track follows suit behind the previous singles that have been released from project, sardonic lyrics backed by grand, acoustic instrumentation. Many interviews that have been coming out lately have been asking the Father about his line “bedding Taylor Swift, every night inside the Oculus Rift,” however I wager that the ending verse here is the true highlight. Josh’s no holds barred look at the modern American, “When the historians find us we'll be in our homes, Plugged into our hubs, Skin and bones, A frozen smile on every face, As the stories replay, This must have been a wonderful place.” Its chilling, sobering, and beautiful as the track fades to leave you reflecting on his words. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3mfC14MVsM   Hot Thoughts by Spoon Yes, I know, this single didn’t come out this month. However, the album that it serves as the title track for, did. This song is a quite simply a very fun and very sexy dance track. Spoon, now on their 9th studio album, clearly have the formula down by now. Just let loose and groove along to the “hot thoughts all in your mind all of the time, yeah.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6KFBFg5q1Y   Liability by Lorde LORDE?! How’ve you been girl? What’s it been, gosh, like 4 years? What’s that? New music? Yes, PLEASE! A piano ballad?! You can do that?! Dang, girl, you can actually do that! Lorde is back with one of the most touching ballads of the year, it’s simple, elegant, and beautiful. Her new album is out June 16th, the same as day as Fleet Foxes new LP, it’s slated to be a very great day to say the least. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtvJaNeELic   Chanel by Frank Ocean Slow, sexy, and extremely groove-able.  Following reasonably close to his 2016 album Blonde, the question on many peoples mind is, which is better? Honestly I think that Chanel would have fit very well on Blonde, probably wouldn’t be my favorite track if it was, but its solid. For the first verse Frank holds back a bit, relies more on his swagger than his range. But by the time he hits the second verse, and he raps in his upper register, it’s very clear that Frank is an artist functioning at the top of his game, with no signs of slowing soon. Real Death by Mount Eerie I don’t know what all I can say about this song. It’s beautiful. It’s extremely sad. The narrative is, as the title suggests, Phil Elverum’s dealing with the passing of his late wife, and his coping with the loss. Listen to it, but be prepared. Please by Blanck Mass This slow trance/noise song is by no means a short track. In fact, it’s a very long track, by 2017 standards, clocking in at just under seven and a half minutes. However through the many listens that I’ve given this track this past month, it has never felt nearly that long. A large part of this has to do with the variety of vocal samples that Blanck Mass has chopped up and thrown throughout the track. The track is very well planned out and moves like a journey through a mystery world with some weird voices guiding. I suggest just closing your eyes and enjoying the ride. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYxjO0LXZqE   Roll with me by Charli XCX Personally this was the highlight track off of Charli XCX’s newest mixtape Number 1 Angel. It’s an off-kilter banger, as one would expect from a track produced by SOPHIE. The song is extremely catchy as Charli repeatedly asks “do you want to roll with me,” and the answer is a very firm, yes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfj2SUnhYCk   Written by: Ian Smith