Clap Your Hands, Nurses, Megafaun [week's Top Releases]

A bit of a slow release week, but let’s be honest, we’re still listening to all the good stuff that dropped last Tuesday. The albums you need to know about for September 20th include a young trio taking a slightly different direction on their second effort, former Justin Vernon bandmates learning to hone their own brand of freak folk, and a band finally returning from a long hiatus and back to its roots.

Same Mistake – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

It would be impossible for Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (@cyhsyband) to recreate the novelty of their first record. 2005’s self-titled debut was successful completely based on word-of-mouth and this lovely little thing we’re all addicted to called the Internet. With Hysterical, the DIY kings have finally created a record that harps back to the pop-rock magic that originally put them on everyone’s radar (2007’s Some Loud Thunder was kind of a snoozer). Looks like that 5-year break is paying off.

Trying To Reach You – Nurses

Fever Dreams – Nurses

Nurses is the latest in a long line of previously lo-fi bands breaking out the sharper production for their sophomore album. Dracula features rhythm-and-bass-heavy songs built around the band’s signature catchy hooks. While initially lead singer Aaron Chapman’s unpredictable voice may evoke that fingernails-on-a-chalkboard sensation, you’ll be thankful for letting this album grow on you.

These Words – Megafaun

It could have been virtually impossible for Justin Vernon’s former bandmates to effectively emerge from underneath the shadow of Bon Iver, especially when Vernon seems to be getting all kinds of praise recently. But the psych-folk trio Megafaun (@megafaun) has managed to do it quite elegantly. It’s fitting that this album is titled Megafaun. It’s their fourth release, but the band is finally coming into their own.