A good rock mix featuring standout songs with a ‘new year’ theme is more than fitting as the world says goodbye to 2014 and welcomes 2015. The following is a collection of carefully selected tracks from the archives of indie, alt and classic rock genres about new beginnings and leaving the past where it belongs. Just about everyone looks forward to a better new year, a fresh start and the path to something positive, or even just a continuation of good fortunes and health.
We think 2015 is going to be another great year for independent music, and under-the-radar DIY and small label artists and bands. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook to make sure you don’t miss anything. Listen to U2‘s “New Year’s Day,” as well as tracks like Beach House‘s dreamy “New Year” track; the classic Tom Waits‘ “New Year’s Eve,” Death Cab For Cutie‘s fragmented, reverb-heavy, “The New Year.”
“New Year’s Day” – U2
“New Year” – Beach House
“New Year’s Eve” – Tom Waits
“The New Year” – Death Cab For Cutie
The mix features Camera Obscura‘s upbeat, indie pop anthem, “Happy New Year”; the mysteriously intoxicating, carnival-spirited track like none other, “In The New Year,” from the wonderfully fabulous band, The Walkmen (and a bonus of their “New Year’s Eve” track); an 80’s pop gem from The Kinks all about looking forward to “Better Things” (a track that even Bruce Springsteen liked so much he recorded it); and the tragically ironic last hit – “Starting Over” – from John Lennon before he was murdered in NYC in 1980 – a last gift to the world.
The whimsical “5 Year’s Time” from the indie band Noah and The Whale seems appropriate as a measuring of time song. Certain yeras that pass or come rushing in trigger us to compare our lives in blocks of time – that’s when you know you’re really acting getting older and that youth will pass sooner than you want it to. Deep inside we are all still savages competing for survival. Right?
“Happy New Year” – Camera Obscura
“In The New Year” – The Walkmen
Bonus: “New Year’s Eve” – The Walkmen
“Better Things” – The Kinks
“Starting Over” – John Lennon and Yoko Ono
“5 Year’s Time” – Noah and The Whale
“Next Year” – Foo Fighters
“Happy New Year, Dear” – The Hush Now
![]Trembling Bells With Bonnie Prince Billy ó New](https://indierockcafe.comwp-content/uploads/2015/01/newyearseve.jpg "]Trembling Bells With Bonnie Prince Billy ó New")
The next block of New Year-themed songs – and new beginnings, endings, fresh starts, cleaning the slate, and resolutions; yes, all those resolutions – include tracks from Bonnie Prince Billy with the Trembling Bells on “New Year’s Eve, The Loneliest Night of The Year”; the glamorous, piano-bar-style playing and singing of Regina Spektor, followed by The Head and The Heart‘s “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” And “New Resolution” is the spooky, synth and bass-blazed track from the band Azure Ray, plus Scattered Trees, FM Belfast and
“New Year’s Eve, The Loneliest Night of The Year” – Bonnie Prince Billy with Trembling Bells
“My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year)” – Regina Spektor
“What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” – The Head and The Heart
“New Resolution” – Azure Ray
“A Conversation About Death on New Years Eve” – Scattered Trees
“New Year” – FM Belfast
“New Year” – Asobi Seksu (Live on KEXP)