pension333: Now listening: reader playlist

Each week we invite someone to share songs they've been listening to recently. Today's selection features Good Charlotte, Here We Go Magic and We Are the Physics

Eoin Smith is a freelance journalist and English Literature student from Aberdeen. He co-founded popular music blog Hercules Moments and contributes to various websites, magazines and newspapers. He finds writing about himself in the third person incredibly strange. Follow Eoin on Twitter ? @eoinsmith.

A life without music is a life not worth living. I know what you're thinking: "Urgh, how cliched." But it's true. Music has infiltrated every facet of my life: bus journeys, cooking and study sessions have become soundtracked by a wide variety of bands and musicians. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

By writing about music on a regular basis, I've been introduced to so many bands I would otherwise never have heard of. I live for that moment when you hear a new band that takes your breath away ? so much so that I'm one of those people who always gets to gigs really early just in case the support band's support band's support band is the best thing since sliced bread.

This playlist represents some of the songs that are on heavy rotation on my stereo at the moment. I came across them all in very different ways ? some were found by trawling the internet, some in sweaty venues and some by press release ? but one thing they all have in common is that they take pride of place in my music collection.

Foxy Shazam ? Welcome to the Church of Rock and Roll

I've been following Foxy Shazam for a few years now, and with each album comes a more polished sound and an increased lust for writing catchy, fun rock music. The band worked with Justin Hawkins on their latest album, and you can definitely hear his influence in the guitar work on this track. It's an anthemic tune to get your blood pumping, full of grandiose theatricality and stadium-bothering riffage.

We Are the Physics ? Goran Ivanisevic

A tribute to the eponymous Croatian tennis star, this is the brand new single from one of my favourite bands: Glaswegian purveyors of mutant science punk rock, We Are The Physics. Previously offered as a free demo, the track has been treated to a fully-fledged single release and shows a band that has matured since their first album. The spiky guitar riffs, frantic vocals and 3D glasses are still there, but with them comes a more complete, accomplished sound.

Good Charlotte ? Last Night

I've had this song stuck in my head since I went to see American Reunion. It's got one of the catchiest hooks I've heard in a long time, and reminds me of the pop?punk that soundtracked the summers of my early teens. What more could you ask for in a rainy July in Scotland?

IndianRedLopez ? Ropes

Blending cool electro sounds with an indie rock sensibility, IndianRedLopez are one of the most exciting bands in the North East of Scotland right now. Ropes is a truly excellent song, starting out small and unassuming before erupting into something really quite powerful. As brilliant as they are on record, though, IndianRedLopez are a band that need to be seen live: their blend of huge, sprawling sounds and big-screen visuals is truly a sight to behold.

Stanley ? Monkeys & Friends

Unquestionably one of the most inventive bands ever to come out of Aberdeen, Stanley's music is big, bold and dramatic. Stanley's sound harks back to an older age of songwriting, but with a modern twist: driven by a cool vibraphone riff, Monkeys & Friends is unlike anything else on this playlist and perhaps that's why it's so great.

Heavy Blanket ? Galloping Towards the Unknown

For me, one of the biggest draws of Dinosaur Jr has always been J Mascis and the six strings he picks so well. Imagine my delight, then, when I discovered that he has a new instrumental album out. Admittedly it's not for everyone, but this is uber-soloing at its best and I can't get enough!

Here We Go Magic ? How Do I Know

All meandering guitars and waves of synth, I've only recently discovered Here We Go Magic but as soon as I heard How Do I Know, I fell in love with their sound. It's so catchy and happy; I could listen to it all day.

Amber Wilson ? Raise the Alarm

This is the perfect song to listen to late at night, wandering down a lonely street or relaxing after a party has died down. Amber's touring this year as a session singer with Bombay Bicycle Club, and her hauntingly beautiful vocal on Raise the Alarm should give you an indication as to why. It's simply stunning, and I think the perfect way to end this playlist.

? Interested in submitting a playlist? Email adam.boult@guardian.co.uk with the subject line "Now listening" and tell us who you are, and one or two tracks you'd include.

Guardian readers

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2012/jul/04/now-listening-reader-playlist

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