The Horrors – Luminous
The career of The Horrors has been a gradual incline and
alteration in sound from when they first appeared on the music scene back in
2006. Back then, with their debut, Strangehouse, they looked like a poor mans
version of My Chemical Romance. Then, in 2009, they returned with Primary
Colours, a record that heard them channeling the angst into art and a
contemporary Joy Division. Then, in 2011, they released the groundbreaking
Skying, a record that heard them take the best of 80’s cold and new wave and
giving it a modern spin. Now, with Luminous, they don’t transition too much
from Skying but still manage to mature in all the right ways. Luminous is dark,
cavernous, but also melodic and angelic. Luminous shines as another highlight in
the magnificent career of The Horrors and only makes us excited for what is to
come.
FINAL GRADE: A
Robyn & Royksaap – Do It Again EP
Sweden’s favorite pop acts are hitting the road this summer
and to celebrate their joint venture, they release an EP of perfect pop. An EP
from two careers birthed in a country that have given the world nothing but the
best to dance on their own to.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Conor Oberst – Upside Down Mountain
The greatest voice of America’s current generation returns
with his latest solo album. Recorded in Tennessee, Oberst, never a stranger to
the American frontier, takes a deeper look into his folk roots and American
style with strong Nashville and Memphis influences on Upside Down Mountain.
FINAL GRADE: B+
The Heartbreaks – We May Yet Stand A Chance
What if Frankie Valli fronted a flamenco band? That is what
English lads The Heartbreaks have done with their sophomore album. Gone are the
polished guitar licks but what is kept are the raging rhythm sections and
catchy hooks and spicy acoustic guitar licks are added to make this record
stand out from any album any English band will release this year.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Blu – Good To Be Home
The Los Angeles rapper returns with a bold double album
about his upbringing, family, his roots, but most of all, the real side of Los
Angeles that never gets mentioned in the media. While the record is a bit too
long and loses some touch with a handful of filler tracks, Blu still manages to
spit his heart out and give it all to showcase why he is one of the best
rappers around today.
FINAL GRADE: B
Atmosphere – Southsiders
The Minneapolis hip-hop duo return with their latest album and bring
forth, yet again, their raw, in-your-face, and personal lyrics about life, love
and the persuit of happiness.
FINAL GRADE: B
Lily Allen- Sheezus
The spunky hip-popper, Lily Allen, returns after nearly
seven years away from music so she could start a family. Sheezus is Allen
returning to form and speaking her mind about the current state of pop and pop
culture since she has been away. With that being said, she knows how to craft a
great pop tune but what the record lacks is production. The beats and sounds on
Sheezus sound more like something made on Garage Band or a basic Casio keyboard
that hold the record back from being a truly memorable comeback.
FINAL GRADE: B
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – Days of Abandon
The Brooklyn hipster band come back with a great summertime
album that gives Smiths fans a reason to rejoice with a jangly guitar sound and
catchy hooks.
FINAL GRADE: B
Duck Sauce – Quack
EDM heros Armand Van Helden and A-Trak team-up for a record
of exactly what you would expect – nonstop, floor slamming dance tracks that
are enough to be an instant party starter no matter where it is played.
FINAL GRADE: B
Rodrigo Y Gabriela – 9 Dead Alive
The jaw dropping Mexican guitar duo fire back with a new
record that pays homage to those who have gone before us. Each song is a
representation of loved ones that have passed that the duo have known and
loved. A tribute record of sorts, it once again has the duo speaking with their
fingers instead of their tongues.
FINAL GRADE: B
Coldplay – Ghost Stories
During the making of Coldplay’s sixth record, Chris Martin’s
personal life began to unravel. While the world found out in March that he and
wife, Gwyneth Paltrow were “Consciously Uncoupling,” he seemed to have known
for a while, and that is all reflected in Ghost Stories. Taking influences from
artists like Bon Iver and Elbow, Coldplay return with a very somber and heartbreaking
record that at some points is reminiscent of Beck’s Sea Change, but nowhere
near as original. Ghost Stories
may be one of the most anticipated albums of the year, however, tends to be
lackluster in sound but is kept alive thanks to Martin’s heartbreaking lyrics.
However, for a band like Coldplay to craft a record like this at this point in
their career, a certain amount of respect has to be given. They clearly could
have repeated the radio-friendly bullshit that Mylo Xlyoto had, but picked to
walk this path.
FINAL GRADE: B-
The Black Keys – Turn Blue
The Nashville via Ohio blues rock titans return with their
latest record and bring back Danger Mouse to helm the project. Turn Blue is a
Black Keys record with a twist, if you look at their previous work, think of it
as rock and roll before the 1960’s, this album is now then venturing into the
decade that gave us The Doors, Pink Floyd, and Zeppelin. With a trippy
influence on the overall album, The Black Keys change it up a bit the only way
they possibly can.
FINAL GRADE: B-
The Roots - ….and Then You Shoot Your Cousin
The hardest working band in music return with their latest
record and it is sure one to divide fans. The Roots who are constantly busy may
find it hard to focus on themselves and their own work. …and Then You Shoot
Your Cousin is a result of that. The legendary Philly crew comeback with a
symphonic rap record that features more lush instrumentals that it does vocal
aggression. The Roots, who have always taken their time to perfect the beat,
look to break ground on a new vision and sound for them, yet, it seems to be
focused more on what is new than what has gotten them to be who they are.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Sharon Van Etten – Are We There
The Brooklyn singer / songwriter returns with her latest
album, yet, it just adds to her talented collection of songs without doing
anything too diverse.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Lykke Li – I Never Learn
The dark Swedish songstress returns with a record that takes
such a personal turn, by the end of it, you feel as if you have just gone
through a therapy session with her. I Never Learn is minimal in it’s sound but
grand in it’s lyrics. Lykke Li’s ability to tell a story through song is one to
admire and hear.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Eels – The Cautionary Tales of Mark Oliver Everett
The 11th record from Eels is a mouthful in both
it’s title and sonic ability. The record is an understated minimal record that
does so much, while in fact, doing so little. It is an Eels record through and
through, but channels a personal connection as the singer of the band, Mark
Oliver Everett centers the songs around himself and his persona.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Guided By Voices – Cool Planet
The indie rock legends return with their “original” line-up
again and release their 21st album and second record before the
second half of this year. Cool Planet is GBV record, just like Motivational Jumpsuit, for fans of this band it is another to add to the collection.
FINAL GRADE: C