Top image: Still, from ‘There is Nothing Left’ by The Drums

New York duo The Drums have an eclectic music taste. Since arriving with gusto in 2009 Jonny Pierce and Jacob Graham have followed an upward trajectory from their eponymous debut record, through to Encyclopedia, their latest release.

Keeping it fresh comes naturally to these two. Underpinned by a sharp aesthetic and an obsession with melody their influences run deep, on the search for “music that has ideas you wouldn’t normally come across”, as Graham put it in our recent interview.

The US duo have bumped heads and put together a killer playlist for us; an insight into what’s currently spinning on loop in the world of The Drums.

Amore Grande Amore Libero by Il Guardiano Del Faro
“This has kind of been my theme song this year. There’s something magical in there I can’t quite put my finger on.”

Chihuahua by Bow Wow Wow
“A true summer jam. Right?”

Don’t Make a Stranger of Yourself by St. Christopher
“If I were running at night in a movie, this song would be playing.”

My Heart Is Empty by Nico
“I think Nico is most remembered for her Chelsea Girl stuff, which is great, but I think this darker stuff is the real Nico.”

Hikouki Gumo by Yumi Arai
“What a song! When that chorus hits it’s like your long lost love is walking towards you over a hill, don’t you think?”

Don’t Drink and Drive by Hutton School Choir
“A beautiful song with a beautiful message.”

Honeymoon by Bon Voyage
“This is a sweet little band Jonny and I grew up listening to. Still good!”

Rectangle by Jacno
“It actually sounds like a rectangle.”

No Way Out by The Legends
“The Legends were a band we were really into when The Drums first began. This song sounds so huge to me, but it’s just a guitar and a tambourine.”

There is Nothing Left by The Drums
“…”

Check out our recent interview with The Drums here.