There’s one reason the term “mixtape” has outlived the act of meticulously collecting songs on a cassette tape, scribbling a clever title on the label, and sending your masterpiece to that girl you like (or to that girl who works at the coffee shop with that boy you like). What? That’s so not a true story. But the music, yeah, the music is the truth. It’s why we created this collection of Anthm’s favorite songs of 2014 just for you. Yup, you’re that girl/boy/non-binary we like. Long live the mixtape:
Smallpools – Killer Whales
The latest single from this synth-pop band has been one of my favorites all year. Smallpools make good mood music, and “Killer Whales” is no different. They’ll be putting out a new record next year and I am very excited to see full length from the band. If I’m lucky, it will be released sometime around April or May and I’ll have the perfect album to spin all summer long. (Hannah Pierangelo)
Jenny Lewis – Just One Of The Guys
Catfish and the Bottlemen – Kathleen
The Englishmen in Catfish and the Bottlemen can sell out huge rooms across the pond and have even earned support from BBC Radio 1, but they’ve yet to make a wave in the states. That all changes in 2015 when they release their debut album The Balcony stateside and everyone gets a taste of the “don’t-give-a-fuck” leather jacket-donning rock and roll that they deliver on songs like “Kathleen”, “Business”, and “Cocoon”. (Tarynn Law)
Zella Day – East of Eden
Son Little — The River
If you’ve never been to a juke joint in the southern US (aka the south), don’t worry, Son Little will send you straight to the backwoods, and he’ll fill your mason jar with a shot of the good stuff while you’re there. This track is sweaty. It’s bring-down-the-walls old school soul and blues with a twist of 2014 newness you could easily imagine Kanye dropping sixteen bars on. You can’t ask for much more than that… except to “Rock me in the river, darling.” (Sherin Nicole)
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alt-J – Left Hand Free
THUMPERS – Unkinder (A Tougher Love)
On “Unkinder (A Tougher Love)”, THUMPERS manage to combine the intricate musicianship of a band like alt-J with the pop mentalities and huge hooks of groups like Tokyo Police Club, and the results are pretty perfect. On one listen you know it’s a song that would sound massive live, and thankfully, it delivers and then some. (Tarynn Law)
Morning Parade – Alienation
Chromeo – Jealous (I Ain’t With It)
I was put onto Chromeo a few years back, and they just get better with every release. “Jealous” is the ultimate dance floor jam, and never fails to put me in a good mood. If this doesn’t make you want to put on some shades, jump in the car, and chase that sunset, are you sure you’re listening to the right song? (Alex Bear)
Chet Faker — Gold
Capital Cities Feat. Andre 3000 – Farrah Fawcett Hair
Wanna feel-good, cheesy grin on your face? Well, “Farrah Fawcett Hair” from Capital Cities is a laundry list of serotonin inducing nouns, and it’s just what your crappy day needs. There’s so much nostalgia and “god damn, yup” jam packed into these four glorious minutes, it’s almost unbearable. Plus, Andre 3000? Hell yes. With shout outs to Back to the Future II, American Apparel ad girls, eating ceviche in Peru, and the smooth radio voice of NPR’s Frank Tavares mixed throughout, as the lyrics proclaim, “it’s good shit”. (Eddie Barella)
The Smashing Pumpkins – Drum + Fife
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Jamie T – Don’t You Find
One of 2014’s comeback stories that went largely unnoticed (unless you live in the UK) is the new record from the witty English singer/songwriter Jamie T, Carry on the Grudge. While the album harks back to his cheekier Sticks and Stones days on songs like “Zombie”, it’s a mature and minimalist tune like “Don’t You Find” in all of its haunting, heart-wrenching, glory that shows that the time he took off was well-spent. (Tarynn Law)
Bad Suns – We Move Like The Oceans
Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness – Cecilia and the Satellite
Andrew McMahon has always been a favorite artist of mine, if for nothing else than his honest songwriting. I’ve followed him through all his projects, and it’s paid off. His new solo work is some of his best. There’s a casual, light hearted feel to this piano-rock song that is fresh and new, yet still encapsulates the classic McMahon sound that I’ve grown to love over the years. And who can resist the adorable guest appearance from Cecilia herself in the music video? (Hannah Pierangelo)
WATERS – I Feel Everything
Cage The Elephant – Cigarette Daydreams
Enter the surreal world of Cage The Elephant’s “Cigarette Daydreams” whenever you’re in need of a getaway. Titled appropriately, the song stays just distant enough to resemble the feeling of a daydream, with an acoustic guitar that leads the deep bass and twinkly keyboard along its wanderlust filled adventure. You can drive all night looking for the answers in the pouring rain, but if you want a few moments of peace of mind, you’ll turn to this track instead. (Emillie Marvel)
Wild Party — Take My Advice
New Politics – Everywhere I Go (Kings & Queens)
“This one’s for everyone that said I’m nothing”–this is the song you want to be playing on all those badass moments when you achieve stuff you never thought possible. It’d be pretty impractical to have explosions going off behind you so you can do an epic movie walkaway, but this track comes close to that feeling–and everyone needs an ego boost like that every once in a while. (Alex Bear)
Tune in to ido.bi/anthm to hear all these songs and more…
The Decemberists – Make You Better
Bleachers – Rollercoaster
Of course I fell in love with Bleachers at first listen. “I Wanna Get Better” was my earworm for the better part of a month, especially since it got a lot of radio play this summer. But when I looked into the new album Strange Desires, I realized I liked “Rollercoaster” even more. I joined the Bleachers camp from day one, and I can’t wait to see what the band come up with next. (Hannah Pierangelo)
Night Riots – Contagious
Gerard Way – No Shows
“Ooh ooh ooohs,” a raw electric guitar, and a vibe that takes you back to “hippier” times make themselves at home on, former My Chemical Romance frontman, Gerard Way’s tune “No Shows.” Making any moment feel like a chilled out party with your greatest friends, it’ll lift you up and leave you to rock out on cloud nine. Not to mention, it’s the perfect song to dance around your room to. (Emillie Marvel)
My Chemical Romance – Fake Your Death
Brick + Mortar – Hollow Tune
I’ve been keeping tabs on this bass and drums duo since their Bangs EP last year. Bangs captured a grittier side of the band, but this song feels like a small step in a slightly new direction, and I like it. A little more melodic, “Hollow Tune” adds a piano and a sing-along chorus, making Brick + Mortar all the more accessible this year. (Hannah Pierangelo)
Tune in to ido.bi/anthm to hear all these songs and more…
Avicii – The Nights
Priory — Put ’Em Up
Anthm has a thing for the convergence of snappy tracks and heavy lyrics, and Priory moves more than our feet with “Put ’Em Up.” The melody takes us to the beach with undeniable bounce, but the theme–as the title suggests–is a fight song. We’re not talking violence, this is all about the right to choose: your lover, your look, your religion (or lack thereof); Priory is willing to put ’em up and go to battle for your freedom to be you. With beats and lyrics like this, we think you’ll understand our double meaning when we say, “this should move you.” (Sherin Nicole)
Raleigh Ritchie — Stronger Than Ever
The Griswolds – Beware the Dog
If you haven’t listened to “Beware the Dog”, stop reading this right now and go do that. It’s okay, I’ll wait. Good to see you’ve come back, but wait, what’s that? You still have that chorus stuck in your head, don’t you? Yeah, I figured. “Beware the Dog”’s immensely catchy chorus paired with its crazy relatable lyrics (who hasn’t had a crazy ex in their life, c’mon) made it one of the summer’s best tracks, and one of my personal favorite songs of the year. (Tarynn Law)
Twin Forks – Cross My Mind
Sir Sly – Gold
I first heard this song on a cloudy, foggy day, and it fit the creepy, haunted feel of the weather perfectly. I love the way this song crawls under my skin–the melody sticks in my head like a ghost. It’s all very fitting, considering Sir Sly’s album name You Haunt Me. (Hannah Pierangelo)