There’s this style of song that I absolutely love, I call it “Lazy Dancing”. Usually it’s a one-off track on an album that seems to switch up the mood around you.

Here’s my best effort to describe the elements of a “lazy dancing” song. It has a beat you need to move to, yet lazily. A slow dance that you can bop your head to. The lyrics may not have much substance but you close your eyes, let the vocals wash over you and you feel sentimental for something you never had. And when it finally ends, you have to hit replay.

Below are some examples. If you have any similar songs, please let me know. I’m always searching for the feeling these songs give.

This song is the namesake of the style, with the chorus lyrics,

“Wishin’ you could keep me closer, I’m a lazy dancer
When you move, I move with you”

If you know me well, you know I’ve always had (and always will have) a crush on the inimitable Emily Haines. But even despite that bias, there’s something about her vocals over this simple beat and swirling synths that enrapture.

Patrick Smith doesn’t waste much time with the vocals on this track before stepping out of the way to let the synths shine. With a bass and drum beat holding down the rhythm, synth parts pop in and out without much notice. I want to live in this song.

This is a band my partner introduced to me. A simple but effective loop that pulls you into a cosmic feeling.

The earliest example I have. If you’ve seen Garden State, then you’ll remember the scene this song is used in. This is a bit more on the depressing side than the other ones, but it still puts you in that headspace

(Punk) Hardly a sophomore slump, Spiritual Cramp continue to exude their “The {Noun}s” influences. Once the talk track wraps up on the opening track, I’m An Anarchist, you’re quickly thrown into a Ramones style song. Directly after, Go Back Home hits you with The Hives guitar tones and a driving beat. Further into the album, Crazy gives you some elements of The Strokes. But none of it is derivative. Spiritual Cramp really combines these elements and their own spins on punk to show they mean business.

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(Singer/Songwriter) Afie Jurvanen (aka, Bahamas) is a master of modern adult contemporary singer/songwriter sound. While most adult contemporary gives an air of cheesiness, Jurvanen’s lyrics and melodies are more authentic and relatable. He’s also a master of really cool guitar licks.

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(Alternative Rock) A few years ago, The Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. released his solo album Francis Trouble. I absolutely loved it. It almost felt like a distillation of a section of The Strokes songs. Now, we have Meric Long (of The Dodos) with his newest solo album. Just like Francis Trouble, you can feel all of Meric’s influence on The Dodo’s sound, but amped up. With some really unique - and frantic - guitars and drums, there's a lot to unpack on this album.

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In which I missed very good earlier albums

(Alternative) Released a few weeks ago, I can’t believe I missed this one. Jay Som has been consistently releasing amazing music and continues to develop her style. The sounds on Belong really evoke the mid-00’s indie / alternative scene even including features from Jim Adkins (Jimmy Eat World) and Hayley Williams. The song Float has been living rent-free in my head for the entire week.

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Have a great week!

Love,
Harley