do you love me?

Reptar – Amanda

Reptar are all bells and brass with their latest track “Amanda.” The video is the type of weirdo trip you’d expect from the Athens, Georgia band, but the song is as sweet as a peach. Their previous single, “Cable,” would sound great next to All Tiny Creatures on a mixtape, and Reptar’s debut off of Lurid Glow ties the two nicely together.

Reptar plays Madison, Wisconsin tonight at The Frequency – be sure to bring your dancing shoes because every time I’ve seen them it’s turned into a one big party.

Lurid Glow dropped March 31st. Find more tour dates here.

we had our hearts lost

THUMPERS – Unkinder (A Tougher Love)

Once your eyes get over the crashing of the Wavves, your brain will start focusing on how utterly fun and dance-worthy this track from London’s THUMPERS is. Musical brethren of Reptar, “Unkinder (A Tougher Love)” immediately warrants a second listen, sticking in your head without being overtly catchy.

favorites of 2012: albums

We’ve been just terrible the last few years about getting out a favorites list to you (2011’s is still sitting half-finished in our drafts, sad but true). There’s been a ton of good music this year, and we here at M|H hope to eventually crank out a complete list, but for now we give you what we know in our hearts: our top three albums of the year.

***

Father John Misty – Fear Fun
Sub Pop – 05.01.12 

Usually we don’t rank our favorites, but Fear Fun is hands-down our favorite album of the year and near the top of the list for our all-time best. It’s musically compelling, the lyrics are funny and smart, and the entire Misty persona drips with charisma. We can’t say enough good things about this record or Josh Tillman so just trust us and listen to the record if you haven’t become irrevocably obsessed with it already.

Our review: I’ve Got Smoke in My Lungs and a Past Life in My Trunk

***

Zulu Pearls – No Heroes No Honeymoons
Cantora Records – 09.18.12

We rarely get to spend the amount of time with an album as we’d like, but No Heroes No Honeymoons is one that found itself on repeat. There’s a cool confidence and ease that comes to Zulu Pearls and listening to the record is the easiest way to get close to that. There’s something very real about what Zulu Pearls is doing; these songs would be playing in the car, on the jukebox, soundtracking your life. 

Our review: I Like the Feel of Silver, But Now I Want the Gold

***

Reptar – Body Faucet
Vagrant Records – 05.01.12

If you’ve ever wondered what unadulterated happiness feels like, go see Reptar live. It’s impossible for us to divorce the live show from the album and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Reptar is a weird, weird band but the joy they exude while making music endows them with relatability. Body Faucet‘s quirky tunes will dance their way into your heart and mind and you’ll never stop wanting to move.

Our review: Edge of Low Verses, They Blew My Mind