Album Reviews

Alvvays – Alvvays

July 24, 2014

Entering through the indie pop door by way of Vivian Girls and Best Coast, Toronto’s Alvvays have arrived on the tinny, reverb-loving scene with their first LP. Like CHVRCHES, Alvvays recognize the Google-friendly potential of the letter “v” when borrowing a common word and stylistically recasting it as a band name. Unlike CHVRCHES, Alvvays rely strictly on a traditional rock n’ roll set up, mostly avoiding synthetic sounds in their garage-twee tunes. For a debut record, Alvvays is modest but consistent. The band is young, taking its first tentative steps out. As they jangle forward into the unknown, they move lightly and carefully, never stumbling. Lead singer Molly Rankin has the sort of sweet, near-childlike voice that indie music lovers have always been welcoming of. Rankin’s lyrics populate the emotional ambiguities she delves into with concrete details. The band’s lead single, “Marry Me, Archie,” opens with a memorable jab at a marriage-allergic boyfriend: “You’ve[...]

Shlohmo and Jeremih – No More

July 18, 2014

I stumbled upon this unlikely duo a little over a year ago when they released “Bo Peep” and the accompanying NSFW video that made my whole body feel funny. This project was originally slated to drop back in February, and after a few more quiet months, it was unsure if No More would ever drop. Shlohmo had previously remixed Jeremih’s “Fuck U All the Time,” but the two took step forward in their musical careers when they began to work together. Shlohmo is an electronic musician who’s been releasing music since 2009, and Jeremih is the artist behind “Birthday Sex.” As weird as it is to believe, this collaborative is perfect parts electronic/catchy RnB with a really creative vision. Shlohmo seems to be the mastermind behind this project, and he really is brilliant in his execution. Jeremih’s contributions are excellent, but the project really shines in the atmospheres Shlohmo creates and the way[...]

Jungle – Jungle

July 15, 2014

Last summer, a UK production duo went incognito under the aliases of simply J and T to form a mysterious group known as Jungle. At first glance, the group just seemed to be another batch of aspiring musicians venturing into music under an unorthodox method to grab people’s attention, but upon listening to their early releases, it became clear this group had something extra special to share. It wasn’t until recently that the world learned the identities behind the J and T of Jungle belonged to Josh Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarland, both of who previously fronted the British pop act Born Blonde. This time around, the duo has sworn to make the music they’ve always intended too with their set of reshaped electro-funk, summer jams in their very first, self-titled album. For as long as criticism has existed, people have argued over whether something is truly creative or modest trash.[...]

MellowHype – INSA

July 11, 2014

There is a clear hierarchy in the notorious West Coast collective Odd Future. Frank Ocean recently dropped his OF representatives, but he’s still somewhat associated and he is untouchably superior to the whole group. He garners acclaim from all directions and his masterpiece ChannelORANGE is one of the most celebrated albums in recent years. Then there’s Tyler, the Creator, the outspoken king of the teenagers, and founder of the group and it’s image. He is Odd Future, and his first major release Wolf saw many positive reviews and was praised for it’s independence and creativity. Next in line is Earl Sweatshirt, who’s probably the superior rapper of the two, but also much more of a recluse, and therefore out of the shine. His debut Doris was an introspective, murky depiction of life as a depressed teen prodigy reluctant to star, and the critics loved that too. So that’s the big three, and after that who comes[...]

Sia – 1000 Forms of Fear

July 8, 2014

Australian-born singer/songwriter Sia Furler is probably one of the most popular and influential artists in pop music today, although you’ve probably never heard of her name, nor even seen her face. But with pipes like Mariah Carey and a collaborative resume that ranges from Christina Aguilera to Eminem, Sia is certainly no Adele. Sia’s previous releases, filled with quirky yet soulful tunes, have peaked in the low 50’s on the Billboard top 200. Her latest album, 1000 Forms of Fear, however, shows Sia at her most pop-oriented and anthemic yet. Sia couldn’t have chosen a better opener to the album than “Chandelier.” Starting with a light jazzy verse, the song soon transitions into the best pop chorus this year for sure. Sia belts more than she ever has, pushing her range to new heights. This is a song that will easily make it onto KISS 98.5, but is also a[...]

Lewis Watson – The Morning

July 8, 2014

Lewis Watson may have millions of views as a YouTube star and a rising social media presence at only 21 years old, but he’s unlike many of his other youthful counterparts on the cusps of fame. Instead of spiraling out of control since he’s gotten famous, Watson has preserved a down-to-earth authenticity that’s kept him grounded and even helped to maintain his uniqueness while others his age have sacrificed creativity for mainstream trends. In the vein of other singer-songwriting guitarists like Jake Bugg and Ed Sheeran, Watson’s debut album, The Morning, delivers maturity far beyond his age and a distinct musical style that will without a doubt find its niche somewhere in the alternative market. Over the last two years, fans of Lewis Watson have gotten a plethora of insights on what his debut album would sound like due to five highly successful EPs that featured a mix of originals and[...]

Robin Thicke – Paula

July 1, 2014

It’s been almost a year since Robin Thicke released his most successful, self-titled album to date, which notably scored him countless radio airplay, Grammy nominations, and multiple Billboard Music Awards. Now, he’s back at it, eying up the top of the charts by following up last year’s summer hit “Blurred Lines” and “Give It 2 U” with an album so entirely consumed by heartache over his estrangement with actress wife Paula Patton that he went along and titled the whole project Paula. Whether you believe the album is a heartfelt plea to win her back or another marketing scheme to garner interest, one thing is for sure, Paula is a misguided collection of remorse and humility that certainly misses the mark in almost every way possible. If this is indeed a charade, Thicke is  pulling out all of the stops to keep it alive including: a very public acknowledgement of[...]

Ab-Soul – These Days

June 27, 2014

Towards the end of 2012, Kendrick Lamar brought him and his crew into the mainstream with the masterpiece Good Kid, Maad City. Kendrick, ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, and Jay Rock had been releasing high quality free projects and independents albums for the last few years as the collective Black Hippy, and after Kendrick’s success, it became a waiting game to see who was going to follow him into the spotlight. ScHoolboy released his first major album, the well received Oxymoron a few months back, and saw some notoriety with singles like “Studio” and a feature on one of Macklemore’s singles. Ab-Soul has been looked at as perhaps the best lyricist in the crew, and his previous project, Control System, lets listeners into his warped thoughts and conspiracy theories, while demonstrating great technical ability. He’s proven time and time again that he has the talent to be one of the best rappers on the planet, so[...]

RIFF RAFF – NEON iCON

June 26, 2014

Gonzo internet rapper RiFF RAFF has achieved the kind of success that is uniquely 21st century; his distinctive look, humorous Twitter account, and cartoonish brand of materialism have made him something of an absurdist icon within the rap community, despite his remaining unsigned for the majority of his career. In this way and others, he is similar to Lil B – both have become popular through Twitter, developed a distinct lexicon (RiFF RAFF with his constant Versace references, and Lil B with his Based terminology), and been given beats by Mac Miller. Another thing the two have in common is the skepticism with which they have been greeted by rap traditionalists. Neither have much in the way of technical skills, and volley between serious rapping and humorous swag rap. But while Lil B has a clearly defined personality in his music, RiFF RAFF has always been harder to peg –[...]

Lone – Reality Testing

June 25, 2014

British producer Matt Cutler began recording as Lone in 2007 and has since been responsible for the some of the most inventive, dynamic tracks in dance music in recent years, layering hip hop drums with 90’s rave-inspired synths  to create a maximalist sound that feels equally suited for a solitary headphone trip as it does for the club. Reality Testing, Cutler’s fifth full length and second LP for the esteemed, rehashed dance label R&S Records, delivers much of the same kaleidoscopic bliss as 2012’s Galaxy Garden, but with more concision and emphasis on texture and reflective atmospherics than its’ predecessor. As a result, the album presents itself as synthesis of 90’s hip hop grooves and jazzy, melodic house, two genre’s that share both a common past and formative purpose. When last year’s J-Dilla referencing single “Airglow Fires” was released along with the ethereal b-side “Begin To Begin,” it was apparent Lone’s return would be marked[...]

Pogo – Younghood

June 25, 2014

Mostly everyone understands the idea of a sample or snipped included in a piece of music. The point, if the musician gets it right, is to relate the clip to the thematic vibe of the music or lyrics. Many hip-hop artists do this successfully (Wu-Tang Clan, Aesop Rock) as do electronic musicians (Ratatat, Ott). One unique thing about Australian electronic artist Pogo is his usage of strictly taking samples from movies, television shows, and film scores to create a new composition. He is certainly a master at collage, and perhaps a Pop artist. A few years back, he created a famous mash-up of the score of Alice In Wonderland simply titled “Alice.” The YouTube hits skyrocketed, and I even remember stumbling upon the shocking goodness of the piece. With his latest release, Younghood, he doesn’t stray too far from his down-right trippy instrumentals. First track “Kermit Clouds” samples the voice of Kermit The[...]

Total Control – Typical System

June 24, 2014

Just when the world thought it had enough modern 80’s synth-rock reincarnations to sort through, Australia’s Total Control releases Typical System, an album that churns out all the goth-rock nuances in all the right places. But with any genre-replicating album, it matters more what the band does to update the style, rather than what they do to pay homage to it. With that being said, Typical System is a good listen, however hampered by a lack of innovation. Speaking of what Total Control does to sway from their 80’s inspirations, the most prominent difference is in the album’s production. Instead of toting reverb soaked drums and overly compressed instruments, the band utilizes a more modern mix style, bringing the vocals and guitar to the forefront while keeping the backbeat and groove more secondary. This results in making the songs sound more present and reminiscent of Depeche Mode’s more plug-and-play records.[...]

Lana Del Rey – Ultraviolence

June 18, 2014

Even if you aren’t a fan of the mega-pop star Lana Del Rey from small town Lake Placid, New York, you’ve heard her hits–“Young & Beautiful,” “Blue Jeans,” or “Summertime Sadness” rolling through the speakers of bars, clubs, and beaches (I can assume, some of her favorite spots). Her mesmerizing, grandiose voice is what sets her out from the overproduced run of the mill pop stars, much like Gwen Stefani did when her solo album dropped. The release of 2014, Ultraviolence, still feels like Ms. Del Rey, with a turn in musical accompaniment and the inclusion of longer ballads that she is prone to record. Throughout the record, Lana Del Rey opens up her locations, citing Brooklyn, the West Coast, Florida, and perhaps Texas in the Western-inspired song “Black Beauty.” Thematically, the content is driven much like her former albums, focusing on money, sex, cheating, and fame. More so than ever cheating[...]

Street Eaters – Blood::Muscles::Bones

June 17, 2014

Blood::Muscles::Bones, the second full length release by Bay area band Street Eaters, reads like an ominous autobiography for the Berkley duo. How long can they withstand this experimental jet set lifestyle? A global tour schedule that has taken the band around the world at whiplash speeds. However, don’t romanticize their demise just quite yet, because Blood::Muscles::Bones may be the rawest, post-punk record to come from the West Coast in some time. Let me put it this way: this is the record that Kathleen Hanna and Dave Grohl got to never make. It was a project they always talked about before they both started believing their own legends. Blood::Muscles::Bones is juvenile in the sense that it is uncompromising and idealistic. You won’t find any unnecessary bridges, extra verses, or choruses. They’ve cut all of the fat, lacerated the gizzards, smothered them in hot sauce, and gobbled them up, just to wash it[...]

How to Dress Well – What Is This Heart?

June 17, 2014

In sharpening his craft, Tom Krell has ventured out on a journey of self-reflection on his alter ego How to Dress Well’s third studio album. Condensed within the album’s twelve songs, Krell has set out to answer the very question that the albums title asks: What is this heart? It turns out this question can’t be objectively answered, but does surround the predominant element of human nature’s continued exploration for love. Staggering and affirmative, What Is This Heart? is a record that stands as his most fearless, risk-filled collection yet. Starting with single “Words I Don’t Remember,” Krell challenges the senses in a way unlike that of his previous releases by taking of the mask to his inner thoughts and revealing full-hearted, personal inhibitions. Although the song itself is approached with the same type of recognizable chord progressions and lo-fi fuzziness, there’s something unmistakably visceral about the overall combination. Almost[...]