Best of March

March was no doubt a spectacular month for music, some might say that it's the new February 2014, but I'm not quite convinced yet. But my God was some great music dropped this month, from electronica (Jamie XX, Holly Herndon) to folk (Sufjan Stevens, Laura Marling) and psychedelia (Tame Impala, The Holydrug Couple), there was a little something for everyone. Let's recap on the best, in my opinion of course...

Albums of the month

Sufjan Stevens - Carrie and Lowell

Ever since I heard Seven Swans I was hooked on this guy's music. His inventive combinations of traditional folk, chamber pop and the occasional electronic elements, for me, always set him apart from the bog-standard 'dude with a guitar' acts. When it was first announced that Carrie and Lowell would 'a return to his folk roots', I had no idea how true this statement would be; this is the most bare and raw I've ever heard Stevens sound. As a mummy's boy myself, this is a truly devastating listen with absolutely no break from the darkness in its 42 minute running time. But I must admit, praising this record for its rawness and its relentlessness makes me somewhat of a hypocrite when I criticised Sun Kil Moon's Benji for the exact same reasons. The difference is that Sufjan balances the bleakness of these tracks with far more engaging melodies and his signature paper-thin falsetto, which makes the tone much cozier than it should be.

Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly

The ongoing class war in the UK and the race issues in America have defined 2015 so far and I have no doubt they'll continue to be prominent areas of debate among members my generation, and rightfully so. Growing up in an area which is both ethically and economically diverse, I recognise the need for enlightened social commentators like Kendrick Lamar. Even though I didn't get the hype over his last record, both lyrically and production-wise this stands heads and shoulders above Good Kid M.A.AD City. Inevitably his music won't appeal to a cynical and often ignorant older generation, but what is important is that we take notice of Kendrick's message and be inspired to speak about the issues that concern us.

Lower Dens - Escape From Evil

What is most commendable about Lower Dens on this record is the ease with which they are able to achieve such a distinct atmosphere and sustain it throughout, especially when so many others try so hard to convey any sort of mood whatsoever and fail. Where Escape From Evil shines brightest is when the band let go and embrace a lighter, more euphoric aspect of their sound, particularly on the melancholic yet therapeutic sheen of “To Die in LA”. My only wish is that they capitalized upon this sonic breakthrough with a record full of tracks of this calibre, which makes the fact that they didn't somewhat frustrating. That being said, knowing that Lower Dens have the potential to create melancholic pop perfection is comforting in itself.

Laura Marling - Short Movie

With her debut album, Laura Marling didn't quite 'burst' but 'politely step' onto the scene, though gradually she won over fans and critics alike with her 'British rose with an edge' charm. Fast forward to 2013 and she's musically evolved into a middle-age, troubled American badass on Once, I Was An Eagle. With such an epic predecessor, I had high hopes for 'Short Movie' and fortunately I was not disappointed. The best thing about this record, especially for a long-term fan like me, is how apparent it is that Marling's confidence has grown, both lyrically and vocally. The real gem here is 'False Hope', continuing the crunchy and aggressive folk-rock vibe from Once, I Was An Eagle but with even more bite. 

Lady Lamb - After

Though After feels far more mature and developed than it’s predecessor, it does have a few big moments, namely the tense, bitter and uncompromising stomp of “Batter”. Lead single “Billions of Eyes” is probably the most straight forward track Lady Lamb released to date, the carefree chants and general breeziness of the production make it a summer anthem waiting to happen. “Spat Out Spit” features one of the record’s biggest choruses, laced with horns, hand-claps and rolling guitar. The subtle lyrical references to Ripley Pine tracks scattered throughout the record in many ways cement After as the coming of age record for Spaltro’s Lady Lamb project, which at this stage in her career is pretty damn impressive.

Courtney Barnett - Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit

Though the Aussie chanteuse only just released her debut album, Courtney Barnett has already become somewhat of a cult hero in the indie scene.  As expected her debut LP is full of razor-sharp, dry, witty and clever songwriting that crystallizes the world around us with a sly wink and a smile. Sometimes I Sit and Think... sits comfortably between the romantic and tongue and cheek fun of Father John Misty's I Love You, Honeybear and Alvvays' feelings of confusion and uncertainty of being a 20-something in the 21st century. Barnett recognizes the tedium of normal life (Depreston), but still finds a way to revel in the everyday (Pedestrian At Best).

Songs of the month



Jamie XX - Gosh

Jamie XX has finally announced the details of his debut LP after teasing us time after time with bangers such as 'Girl' and 'Under One Roof Raving' (which unfortunately didn't make it onto the record). Along with the announcement of In Colour, Jamie dropped not one, but two brand new tracks, but whilst everyone lost their shit over 'Loud Places' (which was basically an XX reunion as it features Romy) I was (and still am) mesmerized by 'Gosh', possibly his finest track to date. One of the best things about Jamie's style is how well he uses samples, but with this track he takes it to a new level, the base and the aggression on this track, as well as the epic outro, really encapsulates exactly why he's one of the best producers in the UK, if not the world, right now.

Jenny Hval - The Battle Is Over

Following the release of her breakthrough LP Innocence Is Kinky in 2013, I have been eagerly anticipating her next solo album. Even though her collaborative album with Susanna Meshes of Voices was nice, it was not exactly what I was hoping for. Fortunately though her new solo record Apocalypse, Girl is shaping up nicely, with this, it's lead single being one of her strongest to date (as well as one of the best tracks of 2015 to date). Lyrically this track is a goldmine, to the point where I can't pick just one to feature; with themes ranging from feminism and cancer to socialism, I cannot wait to here this new record when it drops.   

Holly Herndon - Interference

Holly Herndon really is on a roll with these new tracks, isn't she? Both 'Chorus' (still amazing) and 'Home' will feature on her upcoming 4AD debut Platforms along with Interference, yet another clinical exploration of the digital age we live in. With every new track and every interview I read/watch I am captivated by Herndon's artistry and her process as a whole; her approach to her art is so fresh and innovative, it is no surprise that she is so highly acclaimed.  


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Tame Impala - Let It Happen

God I love this band. Lonerism is still the official sponsor of my summer (i.e me eating ice cream and pretzels in my room, listening music and watching old TV shows, alone). But it's so much more than that, it is able to mentally transport me to a psychedelic dream world (like some kind of trippy escapism from reality). Even though there has been no official announcement of their new record, Let It Happen, at 8 minutes, is long enough to quench my thirst for the moment. 

Grimes - REALiTi

For the record I actually really liked 'Go', but even I (like many) was relieved when Grimes announced not only that it would not feature on her next record but that it did not represent how said album would sound. I, on the other hand, was fricking ecstatic when this absolute banger entered my life. I may* be getting ahead of myself here but this is the best Grimes song ever and I cannot even begin to explain how exited I am to hear the 're-made' version which she was kinda forced to make. When you're ready, Claire!



Girlpool - Ideal World

"Tranquilize me with your ideal world", even though I am yet to hear Girlpool's debut LP I get the feeling this lyric sums the general sentiment up pretty well. With the Lego-themed art direction as well as the title itself, I get the idea that Before The World Was Big has something to do with growing up (or perhaps not wanting to grow up). As 'Chinatown' was pretty bleak (still great though), I'm glad Ideal World is a bit more chilled and easier to digest. One thing's for sure, this album's gonna be a corker.

Novella - Sentences

Less than a month after putting out 'Land Gone', Novella have released yet another taster from their upcoming debut Land. I don't usually like to feature buzz tracks and singles from the same acts in succession but I just couldn't help myself with this one. Yet another hazy and euphoric number from these guys, drenched in reverb and shoegazing guitars I am once again reminded why I love these guys so damn much. 


Kero Kero Bonito - Picture This

What better way to celebrate (or mock?) the vain, insecure and self-obsessed generation we are than making a fun bubble gum/J-Pop crossover track about it? Well that's what Kero Kero Bonito have done here. I tend to affiliate this band with the PC Music group who have been taking the internet by storm with their sickly sweet, colourful and downright bonkers approach to pop music.

The Holydrug Couple - Dreamy

I don't know too much about these guys so I'll keep this brief. Firstly, they're from Chile, secondly they are signed to the ever-hip Sacred Bones Records and thirdly, they sound like Tame Impala. So to sum up, they're a more chilled and Chilean answer to Tame Impala, got it? Great. 

Shunkan - Our Names

You may vaguely remember me gushing about Kiwi/LA/Japanese badass Shunkan a while back, well now she's back with yet another excellent, albeit painfully short, indie rock gem. I hate to compare artists (even though I do it all the time) but this track really does sound like a much more upbeat Waxahatchee, which is a massive complement because I love a bit of Katie Crutchfield. Once again we see the feeling of loss and confusion when transitioning into an adult, with the lively and hook-laden production making it all seem alright. 

Double Album Review - After by Lady Lamb the Beekeeper and Another Eternity by Purity Ring

This week two very good sophomore albums were released, one by Canadian duo Purity Ring and one from rising singer/songwriter Lady Lamb the Beekeeper. I've never done this before but releasing a second album which isn't a massive disappointment is no mean feat so we may as well celebrate it. Before we start, here's a playlist to get us all in the mood:




Though Maine native Aly Spaltro has been releasing music in various forms for a few years now (starting with her first homemade CD back in 2007), it was her electrifying live shows in the last couple of years which really got people talking. Though I haven’t yet been fortunate enough to catch her live, I can imagine that her music would translate incredibly well, after all, her debut record Ripely Pine was one of the finest debuts in years.  Spaltro really utilized the backing band on said record, making every song unique and memorable through an eclectic range of instrumentation and song structures. With moods varying between tracks, one thing that always came through was that Spaltro was truly passionate about what she was singing; there were points of immense vulnerability where her voice was barely a whisper and other points where she would scream at the top of her lungs. This equated to an immensely dynamic and engaging listening experience, which she has only capitalized upon with her sophomore record.

After opens with a bang in the form of “Vena Cava”, with gentle guitar plucks and stripped back vocals erupting into the gritty and heavy chorus. There is a greater confidence in Spaltro’s vocals, with the gorgeous raspy quality of her voice being increasingly prominent on this record.  Similarly obscure in composition is “Violet Clementine”, which begins with Spaltro’s A Capella vocals before the banjo, yes banjo, kicks in and ramps up the pace of the track, with more layers of instrumentation and vocals being added as it progresses. This isn’t to say that After doesn’t feature some down moments to balance out the chaos; “Sunday Shoes” being the prime example. Though there are less of these tracks than on Ripely Pine, they still play a pivotal role on the record and like in the case of the former, they showcase Spaltro’s vocals in the most intimate of ways with only the guitar to back her up. The stunning “Ten” features one of her strongest vocal performances to date, showing that she is more than capable of creating a moment without the need for a dense instrumental backing.

Though After feels far more mature and developed than it’s predecessor, it does have a few big moments, namely the tense, bitter and uncompromising stomp of “Batter”. Lead single “Billions of Eyes” is probably the most straight forward track she’s released to date, the carefree chants and general breeziness of the production make it a summer anthem waiting to happen. “Spat Out Spit” features one of the record’s biggest choruses, laced with horns, hand-claps and rolling guitar. The subtle lyrical references to Ripley Pine tracks scattered throughout the record are another fun touch, the reference to personal favorite “Aubergine” in “Vena Cave” — “There ain’t no aubergine in my blood” — being an example which sticks to mind. This in many ways cements After as the coming of age record for Spaltro’s Lady Lamb project, which at this stage in her career is pretty damn impressive.


8.0

Best Tracks: Vena Cava, Violet Clementine, Heretic, Spat Out Spit, Dear Arkansas Daughter, Ten, Batter, Atlas

Saying Canadian duo Purity Ring made a mark on the pop landscape when they dropped their critically acclaimed debut Shrines back in 2012 is an understatement, they mastered the 'bedroom beats' sound without sounding try-hard or lazy. For me at least, it set a bar for both indie and mainstream pop 'bangers' to reach, and to this day very few do. With tracks like 'Fine Shrines' still getting regular airplay and exposure (mainly on brooding ads), I was fully expecting the duo's next record to smash, not only the 'blogosphere' but the mainstream charts also, they are certainly good enough. With Another Eternity, they've done just that - created a record full of ambitious and dynamic pop songs, all of which have the potential to set the charts alight. 

'Push Pull' is one of the most straight forward pop tracks the duo have produced so far, melodically it is catchy and easy to digest, it also sees the qlitchy soundscapes which were at the heart of Shrines take somewhat of a backseat whilst Megan James' vocals take centre stage. One of my favourite things about Shrines was the contrast between James' sugary-sweet vocals and her graphic anatomical lyrics, "you push and you pull and you tell yourself no, it's like when you lie down, the veins grow in slow" she sings on one of the record's finest hooks.  Corin Roddick's production ensures that every track has a spectacular moment, from the trap-influenced 'Stranger Than Earth' and 'Flood on the Floor' to the dance floor ready stomp of 'Begin Again' and 'Sea Castle, this album certainly contains some earth-shattering pop moments. 

That being said, there seems to be an indescribable disconnect between the production, the vocals and to an extent, the tracks themselves. This is somewhat ironic considering the duo were apart when creating their debut, perhaps this is which it feels as if the intimacy that album had from the 'bedroom beats' vibe is lost here entirely. Of course the tracks are all great and this is a solid pop record, but I can't help feel that this was a lost opportunity and that the better tracks could've been showcased better. 

7.4

Best tracks: Bodyache, Push Pull, Flood On the Floor, Sea Castle

Best of February

Albums of the month

Father John Misty - I Love You, Honeybear

After his breakthrough solo LP Fear Fun, Josh Tillman has delivered yet another excellent singer/songwriter LP. Sonically it isn't much of a departure from his previous material, however he does keep it interesting and throws a few curve balls in there, namely the electronica-tinged 'True Affection'. Best of all is the unashamedly soppy title track, which despite the sickly sweet lyrics is one of the most satisfying and engaging tracks in his discography. 

Ibeyi - Ibeyi

The other day I indulged in a binge interview-watching session on YouTube, and it was here where I fell in love with Ibeyi. Their sound is inventive and fresh; singing in both English and Yoruba and combining elements of folk, vocal, electronica and hip-hop, making their debut record is like nothing I've heard before. They are also incredibly endearing, breaking into song every-so-often, completing each other's sentences and just seeming to happy to be where they are. My personal favourite track is 'Stranger/Lover' for its stunning piano melody, though every track is pretty solid in its own right. 




Marika Hackman - We Slept At Last

I've been harping on about Marika for a while now and the time has finally come for her to release her long-awaited debut We Slept At Last. When following a new artist for a few years it's always a concern that their debut won't live up to the bar you sub-consciously set for them, fortunately this isn't the case here. Featuring only unreleased tracks on your debut album is always a risk, but it certainly paid off here, with album highlights including 'Animal Fear', 'Ophelia' and 'Open Wide'.

Screaming Females - Rose Mountain

Ugly, the debut album from Screaming Females' 2012 breakout record divided listeners, many loved the hard-hitting attitude that oozed from every track whilst others couldn't stomach Marissa Paternoster's marmite vocal style. With Rose Mountain however, it is very much the opposite; some of the band's older fans feel it doesn't go hard enough whilst others (like myself) appreciate its accessibility. Well one thing I think we can all agree on is that 'Wishing Well' is an absolute tune and is one of the best tracks of the last year. 

Tracks of the month



Kendrick Lamar - The Blacker the Berry

The ongoing class war in the UK and the race issues in America have defined 2015 so far and I have no doubt they'll continue to be prominent areas of debate among members my generation, and rightfully so. Growing up in an area which is both ethically and economically diverse, I recognise the need for enlightened social commentators like Kendrick Lamar. This could well be his best track yet, both lyrically and production-wise it stands heads and shoulders over the output of his contemporaries. Inevitably his music won't appeal to a cynical and often ignorant older generation, but what is important is that we take notice of Kendrick's message and be inspired to speak about the issues that concern us. 

Rosie Lowe - Who's That Girl

Yet another killer track from rising UK soulstress Rosie Lowe and this could well be her best track to date. She has confirmed that her debut album will be out this year and has given us the excellent 'Who's That Girl' to quench our thirst for the moment. The production, as ever, treads the line between now and the future, with icy beats and subtle vocal manipulation complementing Rosie's vocals impeccably. I need this album, and so do you.

Sufjan Stevens - No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross

Following the announcement of his new record Carrie & Lowell, inspired by none other than his mum, Sufjan Stevens stated that it was a 'return to [his] folk roots'. Following the envelop-pushing and highly divisive The Age of Adz (my favourite album of his), I do feel this is a good route to take for Sufjan and could help him to reach a wider audience. In terms of the track itself, it's very intimate, very dreamy, very melodic and very Sufjan. 

Chromatics - Just Like You

My first encounter with Chromatics was their track 'Tick of the Clock' from the excellent Drive soundtrack. The pulsating beats and the nocturnal vibe of the production made it an obvious standout and naturally I was very excited to see what else the band would put out. 'Just Like You' is far more dreamy yet equally hypnotic as the former, the vocals also become the focus of the track (the former is an instrumental) and make it more dream pop than electronic. There is currently a lot of hype surrounding this release so I hope Dear Tommy will deliver. 

Braids - Miniskirt

Yet another unashamedly political track to reflect the times we are currently living in; this time against sexism, the idea of double standards in particular. This may defy the purpose of this song somewhat but what really grabs me about 'Miniskirt' is the production. It is certainly a lot more forthcoming and bold than the band's previous material, both production-wise and lyric-wise and I have to say, it sounds very promising indeed. 

Novella - Land Gone

Having praised their very excellent single 'Follow' to the high heavens back in 2013 (let that sink in...), the shoegazing marvels have finally announced their debut album Land (with some pretty epic artwork). The lead single is yet another progressive track, with a surf-rock/psychedelic vibe which suits the album's May release date pretty damn well. It's always reassuring to know that I will have a nice summer-y record to cry about my upcoming exams to (silver linings and all that).

Undiscovered gem

Jane Weaver - The Silver Globe (2014)



Having graced multiple 'Albums you may have missed' lists late last year, I have finally taken the time to actually hear the wonder that is Jane Weaver. This, her sixth album, is a ambitious concept album with all 10 tracks being as innovative and engaging as the other. If (like me) you were a bit late on Jane Weaver train you'll be glad to know that she's re-releasing the album with 10 extra tracks next month with a fancy repressing and everything. 

Next month, look out for:

New albums from
Sufjan Stevens 
Purity Ring
Lady Lamb the Beekeeper
Moon Duo
Clarence Clarity
Matthew E. White
Twin Shadow
Wand
The Go! Team
Courtney Barnett
Laura Marling
Lower Dens