Flying Lotus – You’re Dead!
How do you follow-up a record as magnificent and as mind
bending as Until The Quiet Comes? A record we hailed as one of the best musical
masterpieces to ever arrive. If you are Flying Lotus, you look into the great
beyond. To follow-up his 2012 masterpiece, FlyLo took inspiration from the
after life and what it means to die, live in purgatory, what happens to your
soul, what happens to your body and explored each theme with such vigor, he has
now given dying a soundtrack. Your Dead! is his Bitches Brew, thought we said
that about his last released, this time we mean it. He has gone far off the
musical deep end and plays with sounds, themes, colors, and ideas that not
many, especially in this day and age, dare to go. This is a record for not just
the ages, but for the beyond as well.
FINAL GRADE: A+
Prince – Art Official Age / Plectrumelectrum
Because he is Prince, he can do whatever he wants, like
releasing two albums on the same day. On his first releases in 4 years Art
Official Age / Plectrumelectrum delivers the funk, the fun, and the rock.
Bringing along his backing band, 3rdEyeGirl for the ride, Prince still can
party.
FINAL GRADES: A-
Buzzcocks – The Way
The iconic British punks returned with their first album in
eight years and still bring that raw energy, crude humor, and punk style to
show that they may have gotten older, but are not slowing down.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Aphex Twin – Syro
For the first time in 13 years, Aphex Twin released a record
that showcases that while he takes his time to perfect his beats, he still
manages to create the wave of electronic future. Syro is a massive undertaking
and massive album that stuns not only hardcore fans of his, but also casual
fans and make everyone hope it doesn’t take over a decade for a new album.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Ben Howard – I Forget Where We Where
The brilliant British songwriting talent that is Ben Howard
is back with his sophomore album and his lo-fi folk sound doesn’t change, but
his heartfelt songwriting manages to get stronger.
FINAL GRADE: A-
The Kooks – Listen
Back with a new album and new sound, The Kooks showcase
their musical muscles and can do more than just write really crafty pop-rock
tunes, but can find something deeper and more mature within.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Weezer – Everything Will Be Alright In the End
Weezer are back with Cars mastermind Ric Okasek behind the
decks and for the first time in over a decade, this is a Weezer record that
doesn’t suck. The album is their most honest and most self deprecating while
still acknowledging their faults, they find the truth and formula to what has
made them carry on for so long.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Paloma Faith – A Perfect Contradiction
British songstress Paloma Faith returns with her third album
and while her style doesn’t alter, she still has that signature voice that can
break glass and wow audiences around the globe.
FINAL GRADE: B
Billy Idol – Kings & Queens of the Underground
The iconic British rocker is back with his seventh album and
while he is a novelty act, he is one of the greatest novelty acts we have. Idol
still knows how to have fun and not take himself too serious, which is why this
record is worth a listen.
FINAL GRADE: B
Chrissie Hynde – Stockholm
Surprisingly after four decades in the music business, 2014
was the year that Chrissie Hynde released her solo debut. While the record is
decent, it still doesn’t live up to her past work, but nonetheless, her
signature voice is still there and powerful enough for you to remember why you
fell in love with her in the first place. We still stand by you, Chrissie
FINAL GRADE: B
Estelle – True Romance
British R&B sensation Estelle is back with True Romance
and while she is still looking to get the success she had with her debut, this
is enough to show that she is still far more talented than most of her
contemporaries that are gaining more exposure.
FINAL GRADE: B
Tweedy – Sukierae
Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy makes it a family affair as he brings
along his son, Spencer to play drums on his side project. While the sound doesn’t
stray too far for recent Wilco records, it is a cool thing to hear that musical
talent clearly runs in the Tweedy home.
FINAL GRADE: B
The Coral – The Curse of Love
While this is not a new Coral record, just a record that has
never seen the light of day, it is a nice gift to fans from a Britrock group
that quit way too soon.
FINAL GRADE: B
We Were Promised Jetpacks – Unraveling
The Scottish indie rockers return with their third album and
still bring the thundering hooks and poppy choruses that will have you stomping
your feet and singing along for hours.
FINAL GRADE: B
Lenny Kravitz – Strut
After all these years, Lenny Kravitz is still a cool
motherfucker and Strut shows that he can still have fun and still be funky.
While it fails to have that musical creativity that Prince’s recent records do,
but it is still enough to make you want to get up and dance.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Perfume Genius – Too Bright
The indie pop sound of Perfume Genius is back and his own
unique brand and style that has gained him attention over the years is still
there, yet, Too Bright sounds as if he is trying too hard to be that different.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Thurston Moore – The Best Day
Thurston Moore returns with his fourth studio album and
while he doesn’t alter his style nor sound too much, he still manages to
release solid records that will please fans the world over.
FINAL GRADE: B-
She & Him – Classics
Five albums in, She & Him are still as charming as ever
and Classic doesn’t deviate from their path at all, it just adds to the
collection.
FINAL GRADE:
