More than 2,500 songs shared, some 200 LPs and EPs reviewed, thousands of photos from concerts and festivals, and dozens of premieres later, we’ve arrived at our annual tradition of sharing our favorite songs of the past 52 weeks – also known as The Mega, Mega Playlist of 2017. This year’s playlist is the biggest yet. The 2015 version had […]

While 2017 will be remembered as the year of the comeback for major bands, plenty of extremely talented artists and bands still made their mark. Some have been around for a few years but hovered below the radar – so low that we only learned about them this year. Others made their own comebacks or are just launching their careers. […]

As we enter the final two months of 2017 and the arrival of cooler weather, the Weekend Showcase 3.42 edition provides some welcome relief with its 53 songs. It’s one of the best playlists of the year in our humble opinion thanks to the diverse groups of bands and artists. They represent thirteen (13) countries, including: Australia, Canada, Colombia, England, Iceland, […]

Slowdive. Cigarettes After Sex. Mazzy Star. These three bands are among the very best when it comes to breathtaking dreamgaze and dream-pop. Their secret, though, doesn’t lie solely in the heart-fluttering soundscapes or the knee-buckling vocals of their famous lead singers, but also in the vividly poignant lyrics they craft. Their songs are stories we all can relate to, and […]

With Friday the 13th around the corner and Halloween close behind it, the Weekend Showcase 3.39 edition is, for the most part, a dark and sinister playlist. As such, get a head start of the days meant to get scare, startle, and haunt you. Fifty-four songs are on the playlist. The artists and bands are representing, coincidentally, 13 countries, including: […]

A European invasion, led by three from Sweden, takes over The Matinee October 5th edition. Some songs are perfect for the fast-approaching spooky holiday and others will just make you smile. Let’s get started with a song by one of the great indie bands of this century. Wild Beasts – “Punk Drunk & Trembling” (London, England) RIYL: Wild Beasts, Metronomy, […]

On this first weekend of September – a long weekend for some around the world – let the sparks fly with the Weekend Showcase 3.34 edition. This mega-playlist features 52 fantastic new songs, including a few song-of-the-year candidates. So sit back, grab a cold one, and play these sweet tunes by artists representing 12 countries. They are Australia, Canada, Denmark, […]

The Matinee September 1st includes some awesome new songs to get you ready for the long weekend in much of the world or celebrate Father’s Day in New Zealand and Australia. We hope you find your new favorite track or band, who come from Canada, Norway, Sweden, England, and the USA. Wy – “You + I” (Malmö, Sweden) RIYL: Cults, […]

2017 is half over, and the first six months of the year featured incredible music. This past week, though, was full of surprises and may have the best of the year. Reflecting how awesome the past seven days were, the Weekend Showcase 3.25 edition is the longest mega-playlist in our short history. It features 60 songs, although the final five […]

The Matinee June 30th features another exhilarating set of new music. Nine songs once again are shared. There are some familiar names and a few that are still making a name for themselves. Listen right to the end because the final song is one of the year’s most stunning. CYMBALS – “Car Crash” (London England & Paris, France) RIYL: Future […]

The Weekend Showcase 3.14 edition is arguably our most “thoughtful” playlist we’ve created, as nearly half the songs deal with serious and timely subjects. Hear 52 songs by artists from 13 countries, including: Australia, Canada, England, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, the United States, and Wales. The playlist and tracklisting, as usual, follows the list of articles […]

It’s the long weekend for most people, so we’ve tried to create a mini-playlist to help jump start the time off or one you could spin on a road trip. The Matinee April 14th has nine songs from, as always, around the world. There are some dazzling, low-key numbers and amusing, truly LOL tracks. Enjoy and happy long weekend!   […]