Why, we’re almost halfway through 2014!

It’s time, then, to take stock of music that’s been released so far this year and quantify the Good Stuff and make sure that you – the Sainted Listener – are aware of it all.

In that spirit, for the next several days, don’t listen to your car radio or your satellite stations and certainly not your own private iPod playlists – not until you’ve absorbed the greatness I’ve assembled for you. And remember: I comb through the dregs to get to the honeycomb – all so that you don’t have to!

Here, then, are some songs to keep close to your ears and heart as we churn towards summer.

Rebekka Karijold – “I’ve Always Been Jealous of Migratory Birds” (from Music for Theater and Film)

Midlake – “The Old and the Young” (from Antiphon)

We Are Scientists – “Overreacting” (from TV en Français) 

Beck – “Blackbird Chain” (from Morning Phase)

Dee Expus – “My Downfall” (from King of Number 33)*

Alcest – “Deliverance” (from Shelter)

*Actually release in 2012 but it’s totally new to me.

[naviga:iframe frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:user:1230140883:playlist:0VMDPi3pDTpOfXsWxNJKUO" width="400"][/naviga:iframe]