Playground magazine

Our overview of last month's charts wouldn't be complete without a selection of the ten best tracks that surfaced on the internet in July, anticipating outstanding singles, much awaited albums and other surprises.

10. Passion Pit: “Constant Conversations”

“Constant Conversations” is one of the 12 cuts on “Gossamer”, the new album from Passion Pit. What might be a potential third single from Michael Angelakos’ band sounds lovable and relaxed, with an affable soul aftertaste, thanks to the backing vocals that go with the cut.

9. Tyler, The Creator + Toro Y Moi: “Hey You”

Who would have thought? We know we wouldn't have. The sweet dream-pop made by Toro Y Moi goes really well with Tyler’s voice from the grave, as proven by this "Hey You", a song that surfaced on the internet and that has left us flabbergasted. An 80s fantasy beat with a sensual cadence, over which Tyler and his low voice flow with extra sex appeal. This smells of sex in public with strangers and we love it.

8. Animal Collective: “Today's Supernatural”

Coinciding with the first broadcast of their online radio show, Animal Collective made the song that will be the first official single from “Centripede Hz” public. It is called “Today's Supernatural” and it is a hot jam with a taste of acid rock, dominated by organs and percussion with a Latin aftertaste. The album will be out on 3rd September via Domino.

7. Jacques Greene: “Ready”

The complete version of Jacques Greene’s “Ready”, taken from his coming EP for Martyn’s label, 3024, takes the clock up to six and a half minutes and confirms Greene’s shift towards 4/4 house rhythms.

6. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti: “Only In My Dreams”

About a month ago, we heard the first advance from the anxiously-awaited “Mature Themes”, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti’s new album. Although “Baby” was irresistible, it’s true that many of us were left wanting a taste of something more than a faithful version of someone else’s song done with DâM-FunK. Well, now we can finally hear the first of the new songs written by Ariel Pink, “Only In My Dreams”, a cut that at times shows us the more 60s side of Haunted Graffiti, as if The Byrds had slipped into the programming of an AOR radio station, with a few nods to bands like 10cc and Fleetwood Mac.