Best Songs of October: Top Five and Then Some

[caption id="attachment_168171" align="alignnone" width="640"] Zella Day, tambourining her heart out[/caption] A rural Arizona native and teenage flower child lookalike, Zella Day, is my highlight artist for the month of October; she is one of the most blogged about artists of the year and has released Internet hits that could soon be Hot 100 hits along the lines of Echosmith, BANKS, Lana Del Rey, Ryn Weaver, and MØ. She's got an eclectic mix of alt-country influence, Scandinavian electronica, and Stevie Nicks sensibilities that can keep her popular on the Soundcloud scene as well, as the Billboard charts. With catchy hits such as East of Eden, Compass, Sweet Ophelia, and 1965 already released to much buzz this year, she had another pop banger, (head-turner?), this month in Hypnotic, my #1 track.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8K2QRwKq54 #1 Zella Day x Vanic -- Hypnotic Her voice is very attuned to remixing and that will only lend to her potential popularity; we may get to see DJ's other than David Guetta and Calvin Harris as mega-mainstream stars (please God). Remixing her latest tune and taking it to some NEXT LEVEL ISH, was another up and comer, Canadian melodic producer, Vanic. This song is ever so catchy and you won't regret giving it a listen. Two new songs and two new artists. Give it a goooOoOOoo. One other excellent new lady pop vocalist for you to consider--Shannon Saunders. Listen to her October single, Silly Little Things.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nJCF01b510 #2 Years and Years -- Desire More electronic pop, brought to you by UK electro-pop trio, Years and Years; their latest EP debuted at number one on the UK electronic charts. The guys will be touring with Sam Smith this fall and are definitely some guys that you will be hearing more from in the future. I just love this song. It is bouncy and features guys who sing like girls. We all love that. Here's an excellent remix by Tourist (a producer who was supposed to perform at Forecastle and did not....) if you can't get enough.   https://soundcloud.com/krazypunx/parkay-quarts-uncast-shadow-of-a-southern-myth #3 Parkay Quarts -- Uncast Shadow of a Southern Myth The Americana roots "alter ego" group for Brooklyn rockers, Parquet Courts, Parkay Quarts (yes, I'm confused) is touring as the latter this fall and released this first single for their new group a few weeks back. Uncast Shadow of a Southern Myth, with its long title and long, lyric-heavy track doesn't seem like a very hypable track; song is slow and somber, but one I've found myself listening to again and again. The Pitchforkers of the world absolutely love it, a good or a bad thing depending on your POV, and I'm excited to give Parkay Quarts' full album, Content Nausea, a listen. (It was released today). Right after I finish 1989. I have yet to finish 1989.     https://soundcloud.com/themmachine/the-m-machine-just-like #4 The M Machine -- Just Like I adore this song, and hot damn it's a unique one. OWSLA record label's superstars, The M Machine, is a house trio that's known for being eclectic and drawing from obscure sources to inspire their music, but this song takes it from their typical brooding to Super Nintendo-land. The funky vocal samples and chill, but thumping bassline are great for a mini rave at your desk. You may get some looks.   https://soundcloud.com/tkaymaidza/switch-lanes #5 Tkay Maidza  -- Switch Lanes There is a terrible dearth of rap music in this top five, so here we are! Some rap! Instead of going with anything by Run the Jewels, Drake, or Chance the Rapper like the rest of you! Hipster power! My favorite rap track of the month is by an 18-year old Australian/Zimbabwean girl, Tkay Maidza. Much of my favorite music is coming from Australia of late, and Tkay is giving me more reason to head down to the Southern Hemisphere for a quick hiatus from real life. This bouncy track is as unlike the song of the same name by Tyga as it could be, and that's an excellent thing. Combining  FIRE  lyrics with UK house production by Paces=ahelluvasong.   My favorite honorable mentions that did not make the top-five. Sorry, guyz. Ellie -- Loyal x Don't (ft. Skizzy Mars) This song is Chris Brown's Loyal mashed up with Ed Sheeran's, Don't, covered by the very talented lady, Ellie AND featuring a verse from Skizzy Mars. And it's remixed. It's very confusing, but so so good. Manic Focus -- Bumpin on the Voodoo (ft. Dominic Lalli) This song is SO FUNKY, incorporating blues and jazz and electronic influences all into one delicious head bumper. Manic Focus THA GOD. Bully -- Milkman This single is by Nashville rockers, Bully, who happen to be managed by former KSR writer, Chris Thomas. They go hard in the paint for those of you who miss grungy rock music--check them out. Higher Self -- Ghosts (ft. Lauren Mason) This Spinnin Deep track is very deep house and very groovy and R&B influenced like deep house is "posta do."   https://soundcloud.com/brennanksr/sets/october I have so many more favorites from the yesteryear of October, and have compiled them all here for you to peruse. Yes, I included Randy Marsh/Lorde/Sia's track, Push (Feeling Good on a Wednesday), duh.