Harry Fraud – Scion AV Presents High Tide EP
Rising hip-hop producer Harry Fraud releases his debut EP for Scion motors and brings together friends like Action Bronson, Earl Sweatshirt, Smoke Dza, Riff Raff, French Montana to showcase why his beats and work is so in demand. Fraud, who has produced for a majority of those artists listed already is ready to become the next Pharell or Kanye were in their days as producers, High Tide is affirmation to that.
FINAL GRADE: A-
FINAL GRADE: A-
Ghost BC – Infestissumam
The Swedish heavy metal band make their major label debut and take their theatrics and Catholic Church obsession to the masses. Infestissumam, which translates from Latin to the biggest threat to the antichrist, plays just as it sounds. The band, who dress like skeleton priests, popes, and cardinals, Ghost BC takes religious imagery to a whole new level.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Major Lazer – Free The Universe
The party starting favorites return with their latest record and after many delays, Major Lazer finally get a chance to Free the Universe. With help from Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig, Dirty Projectors' Amber Coffman, Tyga, Flux Pavilion, Bruno Mars, Wyclef Jean, Shaggy, Major Lazer take their party a step further.
FINAL GRADE: B+
The Thermals – Desperate Ground
The Portland indie rockers return with their Saddle Creek debut and take their political and religious imagery and mix it with a post cold-wave sound that is enough to make you want more.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Bombino – Nomad
Tuareg guitarist, singer, and songwriter Omara “Bombino” Moctar releases his Dan Auerbach produced new album and has officially become the hardest rocking African from the Sahara. Bombino takes classic American riffs and brings his African influences together for a hell of a ride.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Kid Cudi – Indicud
Stoner rapper Kid Cudi returns with what could be his best album to date, the much anticipated Indicud. Cudi takes his songs into a darker and much more psychedelic territory and hears him releasing some of his best rhymes. With special guests Haim, Father John Misty, King Chip, Kendrick Lamar, Too Short, RZA, ASAP Rocky, and even Michael Bolton, Cudi combines everything that has influenced him in a very slick and cool album.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Bell X1 – Chop Chop
The Irish rockers return with their mix of folk, electronica, and rock and bring forth another record of great Irish storytelling and music. With longtime National collaborators, Peter Katis and Thomas Bartlett aka Doveman, Bell X1 add new flavor to their recipe.
FINAL GRADE: B
Snoop Lion – Reincarnated
The reggae debut from Snoop Dogg aka Snoop Lion hears everyone’s favorite stoner rapper taking a deep look into Rastafarian culture. What was originally intended to just be the soundtrack of the documentary of the same name that followed Doggs transformation into Lion became a full on original record with help from Major Lazer on production. Would the legend of Bob Marley be proud? One will argue yes, but others may see it differently. Yet, whatever the case, Lion knows how to have fun and has no problem hiding it, even in a alter ego.
FINAL GRADE: B
Ms Mr – Secondhand Rapture
The New York City duo of Lizzy Plapinger and Max Hershenow release their debut and take the sounds of hyper electronica and fuse it with ethereal ambient sounds to give the world Secondhand Rapture. This anticipated debut does not disappoint and as the season changes into summer, it could be any hipster or bohemian soundtrack in the sun.
FINAL GRADE: B
Savages – Silence Yourself
The British buzz band release their much anticipated debut and while a band in a day and age where everyone wants to know every damn thing about anyone choose to remain enigmatic and under the radar, it makes their appeal seem that much more greater. Savages have created a solid cold-wave / post-punk debut that will keep critics intrigued and have fans begging to know and want more.
FINAL GRADE: B
Junip
The Swedish psychedelic electronic folk outfit return with their second record and bring fantastic storytelling and interesting music together. This is a record for anyone looking for a lazy Sunday with a glass of red.
FINAL GRADE: B
The Postelles - …And It Shook Me
Slick New York City surf rockers The Postelles comeback and bring a whole new sound and dynamic to their music. Going for a much more subtle summertime vibe, The Postelles still remain to stick to their roots but add a whole new level of pop and musical qualities to their catchy compositions. The band refuse to be klumped into the sophomore slump category and shake things up a bit.
FINAL GRAE: B
Devendra Banhart – Mala
The New York folk singer returns with eighth album and instead of trying to be the weirdest and strangest hipster in any room, Banhart finally finds his most confident sound and instead of trying to be so odd, he becomes very honest.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Airborne Toxic Event – Such Hot Blood
The LA art rockers return with their third record and while musically, they stay in the same stride as they have done in their past, singer and lyricist Mikel Jollett brings some of his best work to date with his remarkable storytelling over song. Such Hot Blood will please current fans and will help gain a whole new audience.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Iron and Wine – Ghost on Ghost
The South Carolina folk star brings his own brand of jazz and pop to alter his sound in all the right ways. While his storytelling is no different than what he has done in the past, the music and production on Ghost on Ghost is sure to make us curious to how he will progress next.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Skinny Puppy – Weapon
The industrial legends return with their 15th album and prove why after nearly 30 years together they are just as powerful now as they were when they first started. Weapon hears Skinny Puppy altering things just a bit on the production end but still bringing you bone crunching and brutally intense heavy sounds.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires of the City
The preppy New York City rockers return with another joyful and poppy surf rock / summertime inspired record. While instead of paying homage to Cape Cod or traveling the world, Vampire Weekend take a look at living in the Big Apple, but regardless of what they are talking about, the album hears them progress in style, however, their progress is redundant throughout the album.
FINAL GRADE: C+
