Everything Everything - Arc
Everything Everything produces what can best be described as "kitchen-sink" indie rock. They made their debut with Man Alive in 2010. The album had some great song gems, but I found the release inconsistent overall. The challenge for the band with this second album is to make their all-encompassing sound a but more accessible. From what I've heard so far from the album, they've done that successfully, but without losing what makes their music unique.
"Cough Cough"
The Joy Formidable - Wolf's Law
This band broke out almost exactly two years ago with The Big Roar. The band managed to make loud pop-rock that wasn't horrible. The achieved a good amount of popularity both abroad and with the indie market domestically. I noticed that one of their songs (and the band themselves) starred in a commercial, so I wonder if they're aiming for broader success in the US. That scares me a bit, especially considering that I haven't been in love with the early singles from the album, but hopefully, they're able to maintain what I loved about them in the first place.
"This Ladder Is Ours"
Ra Ra Riot - Beta Love
There are two things that really made this band's sound distinctive; Wes Miles' unique voice and the use of string instruments in their songs. They are losing one of those things in this new album. The band is relying more on electronic instrumentation on this album, but I'm strangely not angry about it. As much as I loved their first album, The Rhumb Line, their follow-up, The Orchard, left me a bit cold. I'm hoping that the change-up will revitalize their sound and this will be something I love as much as that first release.
"Beta Love"
Toro Y Moi - Anything in Return
Toro Y Moi rode in on the much-hyped chillwave ...wave that came through a couple of years ago. Though there were those that thought that the subgenre was the start of a new direction for indie rock, it didn't really last. Chaz Bundick seems to, smartly, be aiming for something more. His sound already incorporated many elements of funk that distinguished him from other artists in his wave. He's continuing that sound and proving that there is life after chillwave.
"Say That"
Other New Releases
Guided By Voices - Down By the Racetrack EP
New EP from newly prolific band. They also promise more full-length releases this year (they had three last year).
"Copy Zero"
The Jesus and Mary Chain - Barbed Wire Kisses vinyl reissue
Reissue of band's first B-side compilation album.
"Kill Surf City"
The Jesus and Mary Chain - The Sound of Speed vinyl reissue
Reissue of band's second B-side compilation album.
"Snakedriver"
The Walkmen - Bows & Arrows vinyl reissue
Reissue of band's breakout second album, their debut album was reissued last year.
"The Rat"
No comments:
Post a Comment