Lana Del Rey – “Shades of Cool”
In an era of tiresome faux-transparency for pop stars, the former Lizzy Grant has refused to break character for years now, a frozen pose gaining weird interest with time. She’s pulled off the remarkable feat of becoming her own posthumous festival hologram (without needing to actually die, just wish she had). Inverting Courtney Love, with apologies to the next-generation Cobain woman Lana just pissed off, she fakes it so fake she is beyond real.
Avey Tare’s Slasher Flicks – “Little Fang”
Some of the Animal Collective collective’s purest pop comes from members’ solo goofs, and this sly piece of psych-disco is Avey Tare’s latest greatest hit.
Mac DeMarco – “Brother”
This kid’s pretty smooth for a spaz.
Spoon – “Rent I Pay”
Being able to pay the rent is but one benefit of being a complete and utter pro.
Operators – “True”
Britt Daniel’s Divine Fits’ accomplice Dan Boeckner, who changes bands more often than he does haircuts, rasps from the dance floor. His voice, the quintessential oily rock dude’s, fits more snugly than expected between clean synth lines and taut dance beats.