“Boyfriend” by Best Coast has got to be one of my favorite songs in 2010. Of course, I didn’t make an end-of-the-year list but it’s got to be up there. It’s breezy and fun, but hazy as well. I don’t know if I like it hazy, but it’s pretty refreshing to hear the track without all the low-fi fuzz and background aaah’s sung live. They performed it on Jimmy Fallon last night, check it out above.

The 10-piece indie folk outfit Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros had a really successful year in 2010. Their joyous single “Home” quickly became the folk anthem of the year, and if you don’t know what I’m talking about, you’d probably recognize it from listening to it here. If you ever had the opportunity to check them out live, you be speechless at just watching all 10 of them play with so much energy.

They recorded an unreleased song titled “Fire & Water” during their iTunes session, (buy it here), another track that fans will love. What is amazing about this band is that they attract audiences outside of their musical range. I’m no huge fan of folk at all but they make me appreciate their unique sound and talents.

Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros – Fire & Water (iTunes Session) by VagrantRecords

Cults, the anonymous band (not anymore, although they still don’t have a Myspace)  we were all awing about because of the release of “Go Outside” are releasing a free single called “Oh My God” for the Kia x Adult Swim singles project.

The song starts off with a drum beat accompanied by people talking in the background, then comes Madeline’s sweet voice (did you know that she used to be in a punk band?). Listening to this song I quickly realized their signature: a xylophone being played in the same tome as each syllable that she sings.

The Cults 7″ EP is sold out but you can still download it here, and see their tour dates here.

Cults – “Oh My God”

Passion Pit, yeah they’re undeniable. Fine, fresh, fierce, they’ve got it on lock. I’m a big fan of Passion Pit and their remixes, and they’ve chosen to remix Katy Perry’s “California Gurls”. Admit it or not, “California Gurls” is a very, very catchy tune. It’s hard for me to not sing it all the time.

They haven’t done much to the track other than slow down the tempo (Katy’s voice is noticeably lower) and add a track behind her voice. But it works.

Katy Perry – “California Gurls” (feat. Snoop Dogg) (Passion Pit Remix)

Here’s the music video to M.I.A.’s new song “Born Free” which you can download a post below this one. I have been warned that this is NSFW because it contains violence and other graphic images so I haven’t watched it yet since I’m at school, but I will whenI get home.

EDIT: Now that I have watched this video, I am stunned! There is so much violence in this that my jaw dropped and I was covering my mouth because of the violence in this video. I don’t get it though.

Conan O’ Brien covered Radiohead’s “Creep” during his comedy tour. I miss him on my TV.

Over the weekend Dirty Projectors played a new song called “Scrappy Nephew” live. It sounds great, and there is no other way to describe the song than ‘scrappy’, if you listen to the riffs. Can’t wait to hear a studio version.

LCD Soundsystem finally announced the title and cover art for their 3rd (and possibly last!) album. It’s titled ‘This Is Happening“ and is going to be released on May 18th via DFA records.Above is the album art.

Does anyone have any idea as to who is hosting it? It has a link to Strangersinstereo.com, but it only leads to a countdown. I’m really confused.

Who’s going to SXSW? If you are, please comment! And you better go to this and tell me how it goes.

The Drums have released the music video for “Best Friend“, one that apparently two of the guys wrote together for the first time. Throughout the video the lead singer just prances around the room.

These guys are so trendy, it kills me!