In what is probably my strongest list yet, my favorite songs of the week include a sobering sermon from Father John Misty, an outlaw jam from Houndmouth, and an Electro-Rock masterpiece from Japandroids. Treat yourself to my five favorite tracks of the week.

1. “Arc of Bar” – Japandroids

   Dylan-esque lyricism meets an unbelievably over the top Electro Riff on this fantastic 7-and-a-half minute epic in my favorite song of the year so far. Brian King’s alliteration-filled vocals flow over his own cybernetic riffing like a supersonic live wire.

2. “Something in the Night” – Bruce Springsteen

   I go all week listening for great songs, but any time I return to Bruce Springsteen, I’m reminded that he just operates on another level. This song is already five stars in the minute of instrumentation before Springsteen even starts singing. By the time he’s harmonizing with the incomparable E-Street Band around the 3-minute mark, the song becomes truly awe inspiring.

3. “Fake Plastic Trees” – Radiohead

   There will always be arguments over which Radiohead album reigns supreme, but there is denying which song finds them at their peak. “Fake Plastic Trees” is quite simply one of the greatest songs ever written and chills run down my spine every time I hear it.

4. “Penitentiary” – Houndmouth

   Every day I listen to one of David Fricke’s selections from his Fricke’s Picks playlist (which, unknowingly to him is the inspiration for my own weekly choice cuts). This is the best song from Fricke’s favorites that I’ve heard yet. It sounds a lot like a modern take on The Band, but it may just top them entirely.

5. “Pure Comedy” – Father John Misty

   This sobering, Beatles-esque takedown of humanity is one hell of a sermon from Father John that everyone needs to hear in our modern dark ages. Beautiful, but terrifying.

For more playlists, including my master Burnes’ Turns playlist that contains over 2,000 songs, search for Andrew Burnes or Burnes’ Turns on Spotify.