Best of 2016: Justin Van Der Volgen

BEST ALBUM
"It's impossible to pick just one, so here are three I enjoyed, in no particular order:

Prins Thomas' Principe Del Norte
Thomas in ambient mode, a really nice listen all the way through.
Doing it in Lagos
An insane African boogie compilation.  
Michal Turtle's Phantoms of Dreamland
Music from Memory is pretty much a buy-on-sight type of label, and this release is no different."

BEST SONG OR TRACK

"Here are five that I liked, but as with the albums, there are so many more. Tons of good music is coming out all the time, and it's a fun and frustrating challenge to try to keep up with it.

Rheinzand's 'The Way You Do'

Mo, who used to be in the Glimmers; played this for me last year and I thought it was really good so I was psyched to see Ivan Smagghe put it out earlier this year.    

Pussy Mothers' 'Get From in Front of Me'

Modern, funky and playful sounding. Optimo's label is always releasing great stuff.

Eric Duncan' 'Shut It'

Eric did such a good job with this production- it's acid but not acid but still kinda acid. 

L.U.C.A.'s 'Anni Verdi'

I don't really know anything about this track but it sounded almost heavy in its lightness when played loud on four perfectly set up Klipschorns in a fantastic sounding room at one of the best parties in the world called Limited Edition.

Todd Modes 'Native Visions'

A low/mid-tempo psychedelic jam with guitar solo."

BEST WATCH 

"The Black Mirror series was great. The episode where everyone's quality of life is determined by how they are digitally rated is funny...and also really, really scary. I also enjoyed the Andreas Gursky exhibition at the Gagosian gallery. His work on a large scale is a must-see."

BEST FUN

"Seeing The Creams do a cover of Roy Ayers' "Everybody Loves the Sunshine" in Osaka. One woman, one guitar, one drum machine, and tons of noise. Very Sonic Youth/Suicide-sounding in the best way. It was pretty tough to tell what was going on, and then all of a sudden it was, "MY LIFE, MY LIFE, MY LIFE, MY LIFE,  IN THE SUNSHINE!"  She killed it." 

On Friday, January 6th, Le Bain presents Justin Van Der Volgen
The Standard, High Line | 10pm

Check out Justin Van Der Volgen