The Albums You Need to Know About Every Week
This week is massive (and massively awesome) in the world of new releases. Lots of young, innovative talents put out first or second full-lengths, all varying hugely in genre and style. Channeling everything from the hippie movement, to dreams, to folk sounds, these bands will help you glide through the last bit of winter with ease.
THE JOY FORMIDABLE – WOLF’S LAW
This week, The Joy Formidable released their second full-length album, entitled Wolf’s Law. It’s been two years since their debut LP, and the Welsh band has gained a lot of ground. This time around, their sound is heavier and more intense, a move complemented really well by Ritzy Bryan’s confident lead vocals. The entire album is available to stream in its entirety here. Already, the songs have about 10,000 plays apiece, a number which speaks for itself.
TORO Y MOI – ANYTHING IN RETURN
Electronica sweetheart Chaz Bundick, known to many as Toro y Moi, put forth his third LP this week. The South Carolinian’s fresh sound and impressive discography of EPs, remixes, and side projects have garnered him many fans, including members of Caribou and Washed Out. The new album, Anything In Return, moves past chillwave, embracing elements of soul and indie rock.
FOXYGEN – WE ARE THE 21ST CENTURY AMBASSADORS OF PEACE & MAGIC
Foxygen, a wildly unique project originating in California, is the work of 22 year olds Jonathan Rado and Sam France. Their music embodies a goofy, contemporary take on ’60s and early ’70s classics — The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, and The Velvet Underground come to mind. Their new album, We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic, covers all the bases: the third eye, California, states of consciousness, drugs, and, you know, peace and magic. Their sophomore release is a highly engaging and surprisingly mature album.
RA RA RIOT – BETA LOVE
This week, Ra Ra Riot take on an electronic edge with their third full-length album, Beta Love. The Syracuse band that’s become known for their groovy indie rock seem to be making a distinct move towards ’80s-infused dance pop with their newest release. Check out the album’s synthey title track below.
EX COPS – TRUE HALLUCINATIONS
Brooklyn’s Ex-Cops put forth their debut LP, True Hallucinations, this week. The sound is an interesting balance of dream pop and indie rock — a nice, hazy segue into spring. If one thing’s for sure, True Hallucinations is impressively cohesive and mature for a debut album.
NIGHTLANDS – OAK ISLAND
Dave Hartley, also known as Nightlands, is in the business of soundtracking his dreams. His first album, Forget the Mantra, is comprised largely of bedside recordings. Hartley seems to have kicked it up a notch, however, with his sophomore release, Oak Island. The album has a cohesive, easy-listening feel that no doubt arose from meticulous construction, which, when paired with dreamy melodies, makes for a well-done album worthy of some attention.
WIDOWSPEAK- ALMANAC
Brooklyn’s Widowspeak released their second album, entitled Almanac, this week. There’s something extremely pleasant about the meshing of singer Molly Hamilton’s ingénue vocals and the simple folk/rock instrumentation of the band, and it has only become more apparent as Widowspeak has matured. Almanac seems to showcase music that would normally be performed by an acoustic folk band, but wakes it up with a cooler, more rhythmic, more electric sound.
