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Yes, it’s that time of year again already! For the few of you that may not know, the College Music Journal’s week long annual music marathon is New York City’s equivalent of SXSW. Countless hundreds, hell maybe even thousands, of bands and music industry types descend upon the Big Apple. Besides free drinks and parties, they all have the same goal: to discover the best up and coming new artists! Last year was our first to attend, and what an experience it was! In 2011 we were able to cover artists like Dum Dum Girls, Givers, Grimes, Portugal.The Man, We Are Augustines, Purity Ring, Zola Jesus, Caveman, Sleeper Agent, Jenny Owens Young, Gauntlet Hair, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and Polica.

We are still working to try and  finalize our Top CMJ 2012 picks list for this year’s event. We will have two new staff members on site to provide coverage of the event for us.  Until then, here’s a Spotify playlist of new music we are considering putting on this year’s guide. Last year’s Top 40 picks list included such diversity and buzzworthy tunes from the likes of Yellow Ostrich, Sarah Jaffe, The Stepkids, Trash Talk, Bright Light Social Hour, Doomtree, Lord Huron, and more. This larger, newer, playlist includes U.S. Royalty, Blue Hawaii, Conveyor, Field Mouse, Solid Gold, King Tuff, Mac Demarco and tons more! And we are also including the official CMJ Spotify playlist for you also. Dig in!