Did you know that “Call Me Maybe” is the #1 Billboard track? Did you know that it has been #1 for five consecutive weeks? No? Me either.

I honestly thought this was just one of those dumb popular songs that sorority girls or silly drunk people sing with their friends in a car or at a bar, respectively. I would fear for my life if a drunk girl was driving and singing this song. They wouldn’t  be calling anyone. Except maybe 911.

I guess I’m a bit out of touch with pop-reality since I don’t listen to the radio, except for when my morning alarm goes off and I’m awakened to the sounds of a commercial trying to sell me some skin-care product that I will never purchase. I guess since I also try to distance myself from anyone who would ever enjoy this song, I had no clue that it is THAT popular. And man, that is a scary thought!

I’d like to take this time to introduce some much better new music to anyone reading who may unfortunately enjoy this song or Carly Rae Jepsen, who, no offense to her, seems like a one “hit” wonder, and doesn’t deserve such acclimation when she doesn’t even have an album out. Just saying; there are much more talented people out there. Like these fabulous folk:

 

1. Metric. “Synthetica”- released June 12

Metric is one of my all time favorite bands. Every song is jam-packed with emotion and delivered by the incredibly talented and sultry Emily Haines. Synthetica is their 5^th album, and picking a favorite track is really difficult when they’re all so good. Listen to their first single “Youth Without Youth” to get an idea of just how fed up they are with society too. I wonder what Emily thinks about “Call Me Maybe?”

2. Friends. “Manifest!”- released June 7

Indie Brooklyn-based band Friends haven’t broken into the mainstream yet, although their songs are played on Sirius XMU & Alt Nation. They’re a fun band to watch grow and after seeing them live in the back of a bar in Williamsburg several months ago and hearing their full album, I’m sure they’re going to go on and do great things. “Friend Crush” is the first song of theirs I heard and still love.

 3. Fiona Apple. “The Idler Wheel Is Wiser than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More than Ropes Will Ever Do” – released June 19

The “Criminal” songstress is back after 7 years! It’s a true breath of fresh air to hear her again. While the title of her album is lengthy, you can certainly tell it’s got a lot of depth to it. “Every Single Night” is a song that has been stuck in my head every single day since I’ve heard it. Welcome back Fiona, don’t go away for that long ever again.

 

4. Grace Potter & the Nocturnals. “The Lion The Beast The Beat” – released June 12

 I’ve only recently gotten into this band and I’m sad that I missed out on so much good music in the past! I love female fronted rock bands; they truly stand out from the rest. They’re a little bit country, a little bit rock-n-roll, which is a nice combo that I’m certainly enjoying listening to. “Paris (Oh La La)” is my current jam but it’s from their 2010 self entitled album.

5. Frank Ocean. “Channel Orange” – to be released July 17

I usually don’t listen to hip-hop/rap artists, with the exception of some Jay-Z, but Frank Ocean is just so smooth and generally less vulgar (“Novocaine” aside). I’m eager to hear his full album when it’s released on Tuesday. I think he has a lot of potential to be a huge influence in the hip-hop/rap community and maybe show the others that you don’t have to curse in every single line to be tough.