The Albums You Need to Know About Every Week
This week’s releases threaten to take themselves too seriously with their heady experimentation, but then step back and laugh a little, throwing in some pop and even country. Various brands of brilliance are represented within all different spheres, providing a little something to satisfy each individual’s palette. If, by chance, you’re the type of person who likes every/any genre, well, you’d better get to work!
ATOMS FOR PEACE – AMOK
Thom Yorke’s side project, Atoms for Peace, presented their debut this week, teeming with dark, electronic dance jams. It’s a sort of supergroup involving the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea on bass, Joey Waronker on drums, Mauro Refrosco on percussion and Nigel Godrich on production. Amok sounds influenced by a smattering of dance genres of different eras, and Yorke’s airy vocals and protest lyrics atmospherically float over the beats and samples. While most critics are claiming it to be a solid effort that will probably be much more engaging live, nothing Yorke touches is to be ignored.
DOLDRUMS – LESSER EVIL
Montreal electropop outfit, Doldrums, have finally presented us with their first frenzied full-length. The band’s mastermind, Airick Woodhead, is a mainstay on the Montreal DIY scene, so the weird, experimental tone isn’t surprising. That being said, if you stick around long enough to really dig in, the brilliant layering and looping will surprise you. Lesser Evil is a highly textured, off-kilter blend of sonic surprises that are sometimes tight, sometimes expansive, and definitely worth exploring.
SHOUT OUT LOUDS – OPTICA
Swedish new wave darlings, Shout Out Louds, are back with their fourth full length this week. Having been together for over ten years now, their chemistry and cohesiveness is obvious with the direction of this 80′s pop-drenched record. When we listen to them, we expect brilliant synth fun, and, in that sense, Optica doesn’t disappoint in the least. Shout Out Louds’ new record is as cool as their (literally) icy 7″ singles for “Blue Ice” sent out last year.
MOUNT MORIAH – MIRACLE TEMPLE
The sophomore release from North Carolina’s Americana rockers, Mount Moriah, is bigger and bolder than their first, but not a departure from the quality, progressive neo-folk/country we’ve come to expect. Fans of Wye Oak and The Low Anthem will drown themselves in this record for weeks and weeks. And don’t let the word “country” scare you — while they’re expressly southern, they’re equal parts rock and roll.
BOY – MUTUAL FRIENDS
Swiss-German pop duo, BOY, dropped their debut album on the US this week, and I predict a mainstream takeover. Mutual Friends is candy-coated, light, and reminiscent of Ingrid Michaelson or Feist’s most popular songs. Along with their fun and incredibly catchy tunes, though, Boy force us to believe in their musicianship by performing acoustic renditions of their tracks. It’s okay to indulge every now and then, and candy is good, so press play.
