was so ready to deploy this gif on what would surely be a characteristically off-base “10 best songs” list:

but this one actually makes sense. and you know what? it’s not nearly as fun as those batshit animal collective/deerhunter/etc lists.

are VW the best pop band of the present moment? serious question. i certainly wouldn’t argue that they’re the best pop *act* — but what other current band has the same mastery of concision, the same facility with sonic detail, and the same ability to write tunes that are so outrageously catchy??

overall, i think their list this year is great. but here’s my required gripe: leaving off Twin Shadow, and, even more so, BARONESS (!!!!!) is a dirtbag move.

“You know that riff in ‘Rise Above’ — wait, you’re telling me you don’t have every song from ‘Damaged’ memorized? Guess you’re not the Black Flag megafan you appear to be.”

anyone else think “I Do” is the second coming of “Int’l Players Anthem”? For real. I’ve been listening to the leaked version with just the 3K verse for a while now, but this complete version may be the best hip-hop song I’ve heard all year.

does “Sunday Sun” sample “Life’s A Bitch”?

also on my third listen. they’re my favorite band but i jumped on board just after Ghost is Born came out, so this is the first time since I started listening to them that I’ve been able to listen to an album debut and feeling like they’re living up to their full potential. Sky Blue Sky and (The Album) are fine records but they finally sound like they’re utilizing every virtuosic member of the post-Ghost 6-man lineup. absolutely fantastic. top 5 of the year status for sure (along with…Braids, Bon Iver, Girls, and Destroyer)