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Tablet Playlist: Miley, Sleigh Bells, and Pusha T

This week’s best new bar mitzvah-ready music

by
Lauren Schwartzberg
October 11, 2013
(Shutterstock)
(Shutterstock)

Hearing a song that was popular during your bar or bat mitzvah season is like traveling back in time. The first few notes creep in and you’re transported into a temple auditorium filled with sweaty 12- and 13-year-olds, the rainbow strobe lights flashing and party motivators directing your arm movements—high, middle, low, repeat—usually to a song like Kool & The Gang’s “Celebration.” But with age comes understanding: there’s actually more to play at a bar mitzvah or wedding than #1 hits from the 1980s. Our newest Friday feature finds those songs for you, condensing each week’s new music into a short list of guaranteed party hits, plus a suggested time during the party to play each of the songs. There’s never been an easier way to ensure you’ll look hip at your cousin’s nephew’s wedding next month.

Miley Cyrus, “#GETITRIGHT

Who: She might be a “strategic hot mess” (and, dare we say, a little anti-Semitic?) but Miley’s still making pop music that America can’t stop talking about.

The Song: The Neptunes gave Miley a winner. With a bouncy guitar line and lustrous whistles, who even cares what she’s talking about (hint: it’s sex).

The Moment: Call the adults on the dance floor because this beat has no age limit. Mom and dad will do a little dip and twirl to this one.

Sleigh Bells, “Young Legends

Who: New York duo Alexis Krauss and Derek Edward Miller signed to M.I.A’s label N.E.E.T in 2010. Sleigh Bells released their 3rd album, Bitter Rivals, this week.

The Song: Just a bit less crowded and in-your-face than the rest of the album, “Young Legends” is still lush rock music, but with a slight tropical edge.

The Moment: Call all the girls up to light a candle on that sugary, colorful cake. Watch them shimmy their way through the candle lighting ceremony to this jam.

Pusha T, “King Push

Who: One-half of Clipse finally makes his solo debut with My Name is My Name. At the album listening party Kanye West famously said, “Pusha T is culture” so you know this is important.

The Song: The first single off MNIMN, “King Push” is, almost unbelievably, co-produced by Joaquin Phoenix and Kanye West. If that doesn’t make it interesting enough, the stuttering, exploding drums should be reason enough to tune in.

The Moment: The lights turn down, guests split to form an aisle leading towards the dance floor, a spotlight shines on the door, and the bar mitzvah boy walks in (crown optional).

Check out the rest of the Tablet playlists here.

Lauren Schwartzberg is an intern at Tablet Magazine.