Song of the Day – The Art of the Mixtape

“You could mess up my life in a poem
Have me divorced by the time of the chorus
Theres no need to change any sentence
When you always decide where I go next

Many nights you would hide from the audience
When they were not in tune with your progress
In the end you are like the journalist
Who turns what you sing into business”

“Working Titles” off of the new Damien Jurado album, Maraqopa, is a beautiful song, self-referential lyrics with clever wordplay boost an already gorgeous arrangement. Jurado’s voice itself is perfect for the tune; confessional but not completely mournful, sparse but not completely haunting.

Working Titles- Damien Jurado

Maraqopa was released on Secretly Canadian on February 21st.

Simply Stunning. The light jazz guitar, those great harmonies. A perfect antidote to those of you who have been feeling some Gotye overload.

No Room For Doubt (featuring Willy Mason)- Lianne La Havas

Culled from the excellent Take Me To The River: A Southern Soul Story 1961-1977, It’s no overstatement to say that this little known single might rival “Hold On, I’m Coming” in being among the top soul songs ever recorded. I’ve had it on repeat for the last week.

You Left The Water Running- Maurice & Mac

The third track off of The National’s Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers has long been a favorite of mine, and not only because of its mysterious title. "90-Mile Water Wall" doesn’t seem to fit into any specific genre, rather it plays out like an epic Western, a lonesome figure silhouetted by twilight in a harsh winter, espousing the hurt of a love lost. For all the gorgeous songs this band has produced (and there are many), this may be their finest unimpeachable arrangement.

90-Mile Water Wall- The National