Experimental pop quartet Fiancé started in the small town of Newark, Del., among close longtime friends who just wanted to make music. There were no definite plans, but what came out was indie-rock gold. The five tracks on their debut, EP 1, were written over the course of last summer and fall, and the band succeeded in making a name for itself in its local music scene. Now, the band has been so kind as to make MAGNET a mix tape. Check it out below.
George Harrison “Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)“
Tyler: Continuing a musical career after being in a band as prolific as the Beatles could not have been an easy task. George Harrison’s first solo LP, All Things Must Pass, is one of the most important albums to me on many levels. Song by song, he proves himself as an independent entity, especially on this track. All of Harrison’s lead tracks are ducked in the background, soaked in reverb, and the rest of the song is driven by an “eyes-closed-slow-head-bang-rhythm.” I love how the piano drives on one chord only to quickly resolve and repeat the melody in a very addicting manner. Video
American Football “Honestly?“
Andrew: This whole album is perfect to me. And it is also the best autumn-y album ever.This song has so much going on emotionally for me, especially at the end portion with the droning guitars and constant melody. It’d be hard for me to explain why the songs on this album mean so much to me so I won’t try. Video
The Cure “Close To Me“
Octie: This is my favorite production on any song. And I shouldn’t even say this because I play drums, and this is all a drum machine. It’s so minimal but so full. When the horn lines come in, they are perfect. The little trumpet solo gives me chills. Video
Liars “Mess On A Mission“
Tyler: One of the most impressive things to me is art that is genuinely dark and makes me feel uneasy. It is not like you can pick up a guitar or synthesizer and start playing a bunch of minor chords and get the same effect. Liars have covered a lot of territory, but I love the dancy-industrial vibe of their new album, Mess. Video
ILOVEMAKONNEN Featuring Drake “Tuesday“
Andrew: I have a tendency to obsess over random songs, and this one has been on repeat. I think I made the band listen to it over and over for an hour the other night after practice. For some reason, it quells my anxiety. Beyond that, it is really a perfect tune, bound to be a classic. Video
Descendents “Myage
Octie: I love playing in my band. But there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t wish I was in the Descendents. It would be too much fun to play in this band. Video
Weezer “Across The Sea“
Andrew: Weezer is my favorite band. I keep going back to this song lately because of how open Rivers is lyrically. You can tell he means what he wrote. Weezer has a lot of songs that maybe weren’t so sincere, and you can tell. I’m trying to get to the point of being more comfortable being sincere and honest when it comes to lyrics, so this album is always inspiring to me. Video
GOAT “Det Som Aldrig Förändras/Diarabi“
Tyler: I caught a live set from GOAT this year and it was one of the most wild musical experiences I’ve ever witnessed. Driving, primitive and original, this group was only missing a live-animal sacrifice to make it look and feel like a beautifully constructed bad acid trip. This band is helping to take psychedelic music in new direction. Video
The War On Drugs “Red Eyes“
Tyler: As a musician who grew up obsessing over prog and math rock, one of the most interesting learning curves I have run into is learning when to hold back. I feel that this song completely embodies the idea of playing when necessary and allowing a band as a whole to develop a song together. Every instrument helps to push this perfectly constructed melody forward, creating a very human experience. Not to mention that these guys are from Philadelphia, and it makes me proud to know such great music is being written so close to where I live. Video
Screamin’ Jay Hawkins “I Put A Spell On You“
Octie: It was just Halloween, so I had to pick this one. First time I heard this song was in the movie Hocus Pocus, and Bette Midler was singing it. I probably didn’t hear this version until a few years ago. Screamin’ Jay is off his rocker. The rest of this album is fucking crazy. Video
Röyksopp “Remind Me“
Andrew: My girlfriend showed me this song one morning driving me to work. It was on a commercial a while back I think, too. I’ve had it on repeat a lot, and it makes me think of her whenever I hear it. Video
