Wilco, Youth Lagoon, Twin Sister, Gem Club [weeks Top Releases]

From the kings of “dad rock” to chillwavers to 60s garage pop, it’s a rainbow of sound on the “Week’s Top Releases” wall today — not to mention a surprise from a band you may remember from way back when you were in middle school.

I Might – Wilco

If there is one thing consistent about Jeff Tweedy, it’s that he’s unpredictable. No Wilco (@wilco) album sounds similar to its predecessor. Such is the case with The Whole Love, the band’s newest album and the first being released on their very own dBpm (Decibels Per Minute) Records. It’s an experiment in marrying the avant-garde with Wilco’s own approachable alt-country/indie rock sensibilities.

Up All Night – Blink-182

All of a sudden, it’s cool to like Blink-182 (@blink182) again. The filthy-mouthed pop-punk boys are back with their first album in eight years. Decidedly darker that anything they’ve done before, Neighborhoods exposes the trio as more somber, introspective versions of their younger selves. As their fans have gotten older, they’ve matured as well. There are plenty of crunchy chords and sing-a-long choruses, though, to assure you you’re still listening to the same Blink from 1999. They’re just a bit more grown up.

July – Youth Lagoon

Youth Lagoon (@youthlagoon) is probably the buzziest of the buzz bands right now. Twenty-two year old Trevor Powers released his debut album Year of Hibernation today on Fat Possum Records. Youth Lagoon has been immediately lumped into the ever-expanding “chillwave” category, probably due to the ethereal, gentle nature of the songs and Powers’ delicate falsetto. There’s an anxiety and frustration behind these sounds, however, that makes Year of Hibernation deeper than what you get at surface level. Certainly worth a close listen.

Bedroom Eyes – Dum Dum Girls

Dum Dum Girls (@dumdumgirls) is one of the most true-to-the-original girl groups going the 1960s throwback route, more evident than ever on their second LP Only in Dreams. Partly inspired by the unexpected death of main lady Dee Dee’s mother this past year, Only In Dreams is much darker and more reflective than the sunny, lo-fi releases the Girls have put out in the past. There’s still no mistaking the retro, garage-rock style the Dum Dum Girls have forever embraced, though.

Bad Street – Twin Sister

Long Island’s Twin Sister (@twinsistermusic) are following up their two wildly successful EPs with their first full-length, out on super label Domino Records. In Heaven displays a wider range of technique and sound for the quintet, but the album still employs the simple songwriting and space age sonic treats we’ve come to expect and love from earlier efforts.

Hardly Art is releasing Breakers, the debut full-length from Somerville, MA duo Gem Club (@iamgemclub). Comprised of singer/songwriter/pianist Christopher Barnes and cellist Kristen Drymala, Gem Club writes pretty, intimate songs with melancholy undertones.