Interpol – “NYC”

Paul Banks and co. create the feeling of being in New York late at night in a matter of four minutes and twenty seconds. Amazing. A love letter to a city that he both cares about and describes as being a “mess.” Something that you could imagine soundtracking a modern day Manhattan.  

Andrew Bird – “Masterfade”

Andrew Bird beautifully unravels this fine piece of music until we eventually get to his signature whistling — all the while being entertained by his bizarre and self-referential lyrics, in this case talking about seeing everything in zeros and ones in nature after struggling with technology.

Cat Power – “Lived in Bars”

Chan Marshall, also known as Cat Power (and will be brought up again later in this playlist), creates a warm and swinging number. Marshall, who has admitted to alcohol abuse in the past, sings lines like “There’s nothing like living in a bottle.”  Chilling.

How to Dress Well – “& It Was You”

The echoed snaps featured prominently in this track resemble the sound of leaves crunching underneath your feet. Euphoric bliss.

Death Cab for Cutie – “Bend to Squares”

The opening track off of Death Cab for Cutie’s debut album Something About Airplanes sets the stage for Death Cab’s lustrous musical career to come. Always having that slow and “morose” song in their back pocket when the saccharine numbers become too much.

Dntel – “(This Is) The Dream of Evan and Chan”

While I may be “cheating” including two tracks featuring Ben Gibbard on vocals, the instrumentals behind his voice couldn’t be any more different. With Dntel (real name Jimmy Tamborello), Gibbard tells the story of a dream he had about Evan Dando, from the band The Lemonheads and Chan Marshall.

Matt Berninger – “I’ll See You in My Dreams”

A cover of an Isham Jones song from 1924, the song was recorded for the television show Boardwalk Empire, which, you guessed it, takes place in the 1920s. Berninger goes full lounge singer on us and beautifully recreates this old piece of music.