Back when I was in college I had a radio show. I would get together with my best friend and we'd sit down and talk about music and listen to music and it was always the highlight of my week. It's been almost two years now and I miss it so much. So I thought I might start doing my own little thing here with all of you and we can all share the music that we're listening to. If you guys are interested, I'd love to hear what y'all are listening to this week; whether it's one song, a new artist you just found or an old one that you just need to tell the world about, I'd still like to hear it.

So without further ado, here is my first mixtape:

"Love Is" - Dude York

This song is just a deliciously crunchy anthem of sexual and romantic chemistry. Need I say more?

"Gauze" - Gleemer

"Gauze" is this incredible, slow-burning indie song (almost as crunchy as "Love Is") and absolutely ethereal. Makes for a great night driving song.

"Open Arms" - Iluminas

I think this discovery is going to be the absolute closest to me ever really being able to say "I knew them before they were cool". This new group from Toronto is making some incredibly trippy, art rock. I'm looking forward to any future releases they have, because their debut was an utter delight.

"Percolator" - Charly Bliss

Charly Bliss is quite unique in that never before in my life have I been so jarred by a vocalist, but Eva Hendricks of Charly Bliss grew on me very quickly, the nasally almost child-like qualities of her voice complement the pop-y guitars and contrast sharply with the more complex commentary on relationships ("Don't you know I aim to please/I'm everybody's favorite tease/put your hand on my knee/that's what friends are for")

"I Forgot to Take My Meds Today" - Prince Daddy & The Hyena

It's hard to take anything this band does seriously. They're absolutely riddled with a cynical irony that only the most detached, jaded hipsters could pull off (see name of band; see album cover totally making fun of Deja Entendu). But you can hear how important their music is to them. I don't think there's a song on this list that is as boldly intimate as this one ("I know I can't do fun things after work/'cause I'm too scared to smile and miss the effort/I'm sorry you don't feel loved right now/I'm having trouble pretending to be myself)

"Shit Talk" - Shit Present

For whatever reason this British group just reeks of nineties punk in the best way possible. The raw emotion in Cairn's voice is palpable, even over the catchiest riffs I've heard in a long while.

"You Can't Live There Forever" - The World is a Beautiful Place and I am No Longer Afraid to Die

This one's a bit more bare, especially when you consider the size of TWIABP (approximately 8 people, depending on the day and which song they're playing). But TWIABP's instrumental range does shine very well in this song, going from the bare guitar and vox in the beginning to almost a full orchestra at the midpoint of the song. Somehow this song makes me simultaneously nostalgic and restless and I can't help but feel that it's intentional.

"Control" - Operators

So my best friend actually told me about these guys today and they are absolutely fantastic. Definitely the most inspiring synth group I've heard in a long time (they are very clearly influenced by LCD Soundsystem and I love it). I started listening to them while I was watering plants at work today and midway through this song, I couldn't help but dance and sing while I was listening. Apparently they're going on a limited tour with Charly Bliss, but it's only like 8 shows and they're not coming anywhere near me unfortunately.

"Winter Solstice Baby" - The Speed of Sound in Seawater

I LOVE TWINKLY EMO. This song is no exception. If you love twinkly guitars you will love this song.

"Vampires" - S

S is fantastic and her album Cool Choices is definitely the best of the bunch, I highly recommend everyone listen to her. Jenn Champion (aka Jenn Ghetto aka S) is one of the best at what she does: sweetly numb yet heart-wrenching tunes. This is one of her more upbeat songs and it's definitely a good place to start.