By Ben Kessler The Best in Order of Preference 1. “Late,” Florrie 2. “Super Ultra,” Charli XCX 3. “Cold Summer,” CJ Hilton 4. “Warrior,” Queen of Hearts 5. “Skitszo Pt. 1,” Colette Carr 6. “Iconic,” Icona Pop 7. “True,” Solange 8. “Cityswitch,” SRH 9. “Ghost,” Sky Ferreira 10. “Against the Wall,” Kat Graham The release 
By Simon Lazarus Vasta My Bloody Valentine, TBA (TBA) The music masses have been waiting for a follow-up to My Bloody Valentine’s last album, the modern-classic-that-has-been-around-so-long-now-it’s-just-a-classic Loveless, for twenty-one years now. Many, myself included, had given up the faith, stopped chasing that particular white whale, and resigned themselves to crate-digging for early MBV obscurities. But 
By Simon Lazarus Vasta Missed the rest of the Now Take Them Out Devils end-of-the-year coverage? Check out Part 1 Here Check out Part 2 Here Check out Part 3 Here The Black Hippy crew definitely had a good 2012. ScHoolboy Q started the year off well with Habits & Contradictions, an album that somehow 
North London’s ‘Sound of the Suburb’ makes for a great Boxing Day gift The Beach Boys. Aerosmith. The Dave Clark Five. Following in the footsteps of some of rock and roll’s great five-member bands is the London-bred Sound of the Suburb. A self-proclaimed “high-energy band” from Hampstead Garden Suburb, the Sound has been spreading their 
By Simon Lazarus Vasta Read parts one and two The Almost-Best Albums of 2012 (In No Particular Order) Killer Mike, R.A.P. Music R.A.P. Music is one of the most streamlined hip-hop albums of all time. Mike jumps into a track, makes his point, and moves on with intense momentum without ever feeling rushed. El-P’s production 
It’s been forty years since Maureen McGovern launched to pop stardom, the singer admits close to the beginning of “Home for the Holidays,” the seasonal cabaret performance running through Saturday at 54 Below. That was when her first hit, “The Morning After,” the theme from The Poseidon Adventure, won an Oscar and earned her a 
By Simon Lazarus Vasta I’m handing out more run-on sentences/awards this week. Miss part one? Read it here. The Peter Gabriel Award for Most Ambitiously Accessible Album of the Year goes to: Liars’ WIXIW While Liars’ sound has changed a lot over the years, they’ve never been known to make an album that’s friendly on 
A singer, a violinist and a pianist There is so much to crab about, it’s nice to rave, once in a while. I know at least three musicians, who have recently performed in New York, who make raving possible. They are a singer, a violinist and a pianist. Singers aren’t ranked like tennis players, but 
By Simon Lazarus Vasta The days are short, the nights are cold(ish), and midtown has thoroughly covered itself in a anxiety attack-inducing amount of holiday paraphernalia. The Salvation Army dudes that are very specifically not Santa line the thoroughfares, ringing their bells. The stores are packed with exhausted parents buying more than they can afford. 
