Music for the New Year!

Samantha Hatfield
Phi Mu

A new year means a new start, but for fans everywhere it also means new music.  The sounds of 2011 will soon be swarming the airwaves and invading our everyday lives.  As everyone is getting back into the swing of things for the Spring semester, it’s time to get some new music flowing through your headphones.  Here’s some music to look out for!

Chiddy Bang:  While the Philadelphia-based duo struck it big in 2010 with their song “Opposite of Adults” that sampled MGMT’s “Kids”, it is safe to assume that we can expect much more from Chidera “Chiddy” Anamege and Noah “Xaphoon Jones” Beresin.  We can expect a new mixtape from Chiddy Bang titled Peanut Butter and Swelly sometime in 2011.

Foster the People:  Foster the People is a Los Angeles based band that favors an indie pop style.  Formed in October of 2009 the band already has a popular single, “Pumped Up Kicks.”  Their album more songs… listens really well and is sure to become a hit!

Brother:  In a small borough of Berkshire, England named Slough is the beginnings of a very promising band.  Brother proudly proclaims that they play “gritpop” and are damn proud of it.  They will be performing at the annual SXSW festival this year and have two free downloads on their website:  “Darling Buds of May” and “Time Machine.”  Both are great songs!

Cage the Elephant:  Cage the Elephant made a name for themselves with their single “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” which was featured frequently throughout 2010.  Cage the Elephant was also able to back up the success of the single with a solid self-titled debut album.  Now they are releasing their sophomore album, Thank You Happy Birthday.  Their latest venture seems to really be shaping up and advancing their musical style.

Cults: Cults is a band recently formed by two NYC film students who are also a couple.  Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion put up three songs on a site called Bandcamp and were discovered by indie music sites such as Pitchfork.  They have a chilled out, haunting sound.  The duo are working on their first full-length album as well as planning to tour this summer.

All of this music is just a taste of the new sounds of 2011.  Get ready, keep your ears open and check online for new music announcements.  That’s the best way to keep yourself in the loop about any new musical endeavors by your old favorites and new musical discoveries.  Happy 2011, and happy listening!

Samantha is a junior studying broadcast journalism and theater.  You may contact her at sjh5220@psu.edu.