Kate Bush, Yelawolf, Death Cab for Cutie [week's Top Releases]

This Week’s Best Releases should keep you busy over the long holiday week. Between family reunions and turkey dinners, listen to Yelawolf’s finally released debut, experience what Australia and the UK already know about Cloud Control, relive the songs from Death Cab For Cutie’s Code and Keys, and get ready for winter with Kate Bush’s 50 Words For Snow.

Wild Man – Kate Bush // Buy

Kate Bush’s (@katebushmusic) 50 Words for Snow, the second album released under her label Fish People, certainly has a wintry title with a sound (set “against the backdrop of falling snow”) chilly enough to match. The album is short, only clocking in at 65 minutes, but the depth and care that Bush has taken to craft the release, along with the all-star roster of featured performers, make these 7 songs seem incredibly epic. Collaborators include Elton John, actor Stephen Fry, choral singer Stefan Roberts, and even her own son, Albert. 50 Words For Snow can be characterized by vocal experimentation, especially between the deep timbre of Bush’s voice juxtaposed against a young male falsetto. Other elements include her jazzy piano, minimal percussion, and a subtle inclusion of electronic sounds.

Throw It Up – Yelawolf // Buy

Hip Hop indie darling Yelawolf (@yelawolf) has graduated from southern buzzed-about mix tapes to his first major label debut. Finally released after months of pushbacks on Shady Records (appropriately enough), Radioactive seeks to capitalize on Yelawolf’s indie hype and achieve some commercial crossover success. It’s packed with special guests ranging from Fefe Dobson to Kid Rock and Eminem, so those big names alone will likely guarantee some attention. It may have been even more successful, though, had Yelawolf stuck to the raw qualities that made his Alabama flow so unique in the first place. Either way, Radioactive is highly anticipated and one you should definitely give a listen to.

Meditation Song #2 (Why, Oh Why) – Cloud Control // Buy

If you pay attention to what’s hot on the other side of the world, you’ve probably heard of Cloud Control (@cloud_control). The Australian alt-rockers have been cleaning up in their home continent with a widely praised debut album that won the prestigious Australian Music Prize back in March. This week the USA finally gets to hear what all the fuss is about. Bliss Release is a pop album with sprinkles of psychedelic-folk that sound both nostalgic and fresh. The boy/girl vocals may pressure you to file Cloud Control along with the numerous other bands employing this technique — don’t. The harmonies created by vocalists Alister Wright and Heidi Lenffer can only be described as one-of-a-kind.

Unobstructed Views (Unicorn Kid Remix) – Death Cab for Cutie // Buy

This EP was actually released late last week, but since Death Cab For Cutie (@dcfc) is such a favorite over here, we felt the need to include it. As a follow up to Codes and Keys, released earlier this year, the band has invited friends to remix some of their favorite tracks from the album. Featuring works from Cut Copy, Yeasayer, and Dillon Francis, this remix album is the perfect way for DCFC diehards to keep the Codes and Keys momentum going.