Atlas Sound, Brian Eno, Zambri [week's Top Releases]

Lots of good music this week! Bradford Cox delivers yet another eccentric masterpiece and Brian Eno lets loose with more recordings from the studio sessions of his last album. The Miracals give us their first release under a brand new name and Zambri bursts onto the scene with a tantalizing debut EP. Plus, Noel Gallagher’s first foray into a post-Oasis world.

Terra Incognita – Atlas Sound // Buy

If there is one word that almost everyone would agree on to describe Bradford Cox, it’s “odd.” Fortunately, his off-kilter personality and unique way of perceiving sound allows him to create beautiful stream-of-consciousness music that the indie world almost universally embraces. His latest release for solo project Atlas Sound may just be his most accessible yet. Parallax is essentially a pop record, enveloped by the subtle ambience that is a staple of any Bradford Cox venture. The combination of the unexpected mainstream appeal of Parallax and the blogosphere’s nonstop love affair with anything Bradford Cox pretty much guarantees this record will be on a lot of year end best-of lists. DO NOT MISS THIS ONE.

Panic of Looking – Brian Eno // Buy

Brian Eno has one of the most out-of-the-box creative minds working in the music industry today, and his new EP is no exception to his consistently offbeat productions. A collaboration with British poet Rick Holland, the Panic Of Looking EP is a continuation of the recordings that comprised the full-length album Drums Between The Bells, released earlier this summer. Meant to be an “exploration of how lyric & song-writing are perceived in the post-everything era” (via the Warp Records site), the song-poems on Panic Of Looking are not sung, but they don’t fall into that too-artsy class of music that make similar works difficult to listen to. Familiar, comforting rhythms keep the listener attentive, and the unique soundscapes that surround the spoken words make this EP truly enjoyable.

Heather – Zambri // Buy

Zambri (@zambri) is one of the most exciting new acts emerging from the NYC music scene right now. Sisters Jessica and Cristi Jo Zambri released their debut EP Glossolalia on Kanine Records today. Zambri (who adds members on drums and keyboards during live shows) falls into that camp of artists like Zola Jesus and Austra that are bringing the mysterious and intriguing world of goth pop back into the mainstream. Where other groups use powerful singing at the forefront of songs, however, the Zambri sisters keep their vocals subtle and focus on the dueling nature of their melody lines. Glossolalia is atmospheric and rhythmic, calling to mind a softer, prettier Sleigh Bells. This EP definitely leaves you wanting more and eager to see what Zambri can do with a full-length.

If I Had a Gun – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds // Buy

Another Oasis album would be horrible. The past five Oasis albums corroborate this statement. As much as we would all love to believe that Noel and Liam Gallagher could get over their violent sibling rivalry, reform, and try again, it’s a better idea to resign ourselves to the fact that the brothers will probably never be able to deliver anything as masterful as Definitely Maybe or (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have hope for Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds (@noelgallagher), though. After all, Noel was the creative brains behind Oasis, while Liam just sang the songs. The self-titled LP released today is Noel’s first post-Oasis project. It doesn’t make any bold statements as to new directions or experiments Noel is making in the studio, but it is a sold rock-and-roll record that features driving guitars and anthem-like melodies — the same elements that made Oasis such an important band to so many people.

Give Me A Chance is the second EP released by these LA-based beach rockers, but it’s the first under their current moniker. We’re guessing some sort of lawsuit forced the quickie name change from The Smiles to The Miracals (@themiracals). Both band names have a positive connotation, and the music on Give Me A Chance continues with their feel-good vibe. Filled with sugary vocals and happy guitars, this EP is packed with catchy songs that are fun to sing along to — it’s dangerously easy to get them stuck in your head.