Obsessions Of The Week - 4/18/14

This week's obsessions are a little all over the place. Welcome to the rollercoaster of emotions that has been my life recently. Enjoy.

I Wanna Get Better - Bleachers
I don't know if it's because I just turned 26, or I'm finally starting to get my life in order (still a bit debatable), or that Nashville finally figured out this "Spring" thing, BUT this song has been my ANTHEM since it's release.
1. Who DOESN'T want to get better? 
2. Who can resist this melody?
Hopefully you didn't raise your hand to either of those questions. Jack Antonoff (Steel Train, Fun) has been working on this side project for a hot minute, and this is the first single off of a forthcoming EP. It's not too far from his current band, Fun., but it's enough that Jack can call it his own. "I wanted to bridge the gap between Disclosure and Arcade Fire - something both streamlined and organic." - Antonoff told Rolling Stone. 
It's a perfect spring song, and I hope that it gets the radio play it deserves. If you live in a city that allows it, roll down your windows and blast this song on a drive somewhere (maybe the gym?) soon. 
Buy It Here: iTunes

Susto - Susto
Justin Osborne has been on my radar since ...my freshman year of college? Back in 2006 I was first introduced to him and his crew, through Sequoyah Prep School (may they R.I.P.). They spent several years touring South Carolina and the Southeast with an almost cult like following. SPS definitely played a part in the growth of South Carolina's music scene. They later graduated? to just Sequoyah and then eventually parted ways. Other members of the band have gone on to play in Elim Bolt and Brave Baby. This is my long winded way of saying Susto is Osborne's new project, and the self titled album was released earlier this month. I don't know exactly what to compare it to, or to "recommend if you like", and I think that's a good thing. Justin's lived a hell of a life so far, and has been fortunate enough to be able to write about it. 
Favorite Tracks: La Mia, Black River Gospel, County Line
Buy It Here: iTunes

Raw (EP) - David Ramirez
David Ramirez rules and if you don't know that already, I'm sorry for ya. You need to catch up. He consistently hits the mark with his songwriting and simple arrangements. He doesn't need huge hooks or pop synths or any other frills to get his point across. The Raw EP is just 5 earnest, sometimes gut-wrentching songs. There's an alternate version to previously released "Stick Around" which turns me into a puddle EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. "Stone" calls out current state of the music industry. I think "How Do You Get 'Em Back" is my favorite though. This EP is definitely worth your $6 and you should do everything in your power to see David if he comes through your town, which is probably soon. 
Buy It Here: iTunes