9. Sparkadia - "The Great Impression" (album)
I remember seeing Sparkadia play at Ric's bar in Brisbane following the release of their 2008 album Postcards. Anyone who has been inside this tiny venue can vouch for the lack of elbow room, and that night was no exception - Triple J had played Sparkadia's single Morning Light quite a bit, and combined with free admission, Ric's was bursting at the seams. The Great Impression is a mature and sophisticated extension of the band's 2008 sound, with Alex Burnett taking full control of the reigns this time around. The singles Talking Like I'm Falling Downstairs and Mary show a deeper, and in many ways, darker turn with haunting bell chimes, staggering rhythms and pleading and insecure lyrics. China is a bit more playful and tickles that summery bone of mine, but still addresses themes of fragility and deep emotion.
10. Friendly Fires - "Pala" (album)
The title track of this album is just so achingly sexy, full of onomatopoeic vocal cues and evocative consonants ("crack", "flick", "sss"), that mirror the track's sizzling percussion and glittery synths and guitars. Best of all, these elements are all drenched in a disorienting reverb that may just hint at the heat and humidity of it's namesake place (Pala, California). The higher energy Hawaiian Air continues the Americana/vacation thread, and I challenge anyone to not break out in dance to the first single released off the album, Live Those Days Tonight.
11. Fleet Foxes - "Helplessness Blues"
Just perfection: these guys really know how to control emotion, maintain interest and write some bloody poetic lyrics. What good is it to sing helplessness blues, indeed.
