5x5: New Music To Kick Off February

We have now reached the second month of the year. While technically the shortest month of the year, February seems to drag on for eternity. Part of the reason is the lack of new entertainment, save for the lame romantic drama that hits theatres or the remaining awards shows that clog up Sunday nights. Here are five songs to make you feel better about the coldest month of the year.

Devendra Banhart "Never Seen Such Good Things"
This folk rock singer has been performing and recording since he was in his teens, often busking in San Francisco. His new album, Mala, is out March 13.





Jake Bugg "Two Fingers"
This up-tempo rock song opens with "I drink to remember/I smoke to forget." This guy is only eighteen (and looks much younger in this music video), and he already has some skills, the most impressive one his songwriting.


Autre Ne Veut "Play By Play"
This track is a clash by 80s-synth pop, seductive R&B (like Prince but without the extreme weirdness), and post-millennial dance (like Foals, but with a hint of weirdness). Expect to hear this at a dance floor sometime soon, especially if DJ or two decide to mix or sample it for a even more danceable tune.


Screaming Females "Poison Arrows"
This track from the New Jersey-based punk band will appear in their latest release titled Chalk Tape. Which is actually going to be available solely on cassette tape. Remember those? Those were the things people used to create mixtapes (or playlists of songs) for themselves, friends, and to play in the car when the radio just wasn't cutting it.


The Strokes "One Way Trigger"
Originally, all five songs were going to be all underground or independent artists. But its The Strokes, so they can kinda independent, in their own way. Reviews for the new song, their first new work in two years, have been mixed. (One reviewer quipped with "Is that it?")