Last month, the Canadian band TOPS released Bury The Key, another great entry into their already-influential indie pop discography. The record being out in the world was simply a great reason for us to hit their line and bug them with ten questions about some of their favorite songs for very specific situations. Read their answers below. Bury The Key is out now on Ghostly International.

Best song to listen to the night before you are about to leave for a big tour? 

“My Front Porch Looking In” by Lonestar

“The view I love the most is my front porch looking in” says it all. It’s kind of cheesy but I have a soft spot for this late 90s/early 00s country. I’ve been to Calgary, SLC, Phoenix, Halifax, literally everywhere! And I still love going home!

Best song to play when you are feeling a little bit silly?

“Rage” by Hyper Crush

I was introduced to this song earlier this year by a really cool guy who knows how to party. It’s an LMFAO-era club banger that has big diaper mode energy and encourages getting fucked up in a positive way. It makes me feel like the frat boy I never was. “Yeah, let’s fucking rage.”

Best song by a younger Canadian band?

“Wrong Planet” by Ribbon Skirt

Ribbon Skirt are an incredible band from Montreal, I think you the reader should feel obligated to check out their record. I don’t actually have a fav song from it, because they are all good! But “Wrong Planet” definitely rips.

Best song by an older Canadian band? 

“Say Hello” by April Wine

K, this is the best song almost ever, tons of tension, tons of payoff, insanely cool groove, badass production, hot playing. Old-school Canadian anytime classic. You’ll hear this at a BBQ, hockey game, dive bar, at the gym, in your truck, and you’ll be ready to go. 

Best song to listen to while you wait for the wash cycle to complete? 

“Waiting” by TOPS

Kind of a cheap answer, but I think it would work. This song sits somewhere between delicate and quick wash.

Best song that you discovered on the internet this year?

“Summer 2000” by X-Cetra

This is a wild combination, a group of Californian tween wannabe Spice Girls paired up with a Berlin based electronic musician—and it’s the year 2000.

Best song to soundtrack a morning bagel run?

“Malibu” by Hole

Hey, I’m so glad you could make it … those bagels that is! This song has walk of shame for bagels or Gatorade or smokes energy.

Best song by a dream pop artist? 

“Kinky Love” by Pale Saints

Wah wah guitar, wind chimes, kinky love, such a daydream of a tune.

Best song to help tame desire? 

“Freed From Desire” by Gala

Every time I am trying to calm down I stand facing the corner and I whisper this song to myself over and over until my chastity belt involuntarily bursts open.

Best song to help stoke the flames of desire? 

“Horny” by Mousse T. (Feat. Hot ‘N’ Juicy)

I find this song and its use of the H word quite funny, and we all know the secret to getting panties moist is humor.

Photo Credit: Nori Rasmussen