James Blake – The Colour in Anything
Earlier this month, the newly crowned “King of Pain”
released his surprise third album. Sonically, it picks up where Overgrown left
off, however, lyrically, it is Blake at his best. With a slew of guests
including Bon Iver, Frank Ocean and help from Rick Rubin, Blake is maturing
before our eyes and revealing more of his mysterious deck of cards with every
release.
FINAL GRADE: A
Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool
Emotive, vigilant, indulgent, creative, pragmatic, these are
all words to describe Radiohead, they are also words to describe their surprise
new album. The record, which contains songs that they have been kicking around
live for years plus a hand full of new tracks is not the strongest Radiohead
release but it is not the worst. This band doesn’t have the strength nor the
audacity to release a bad record, however, A Moon Shaped Pool is one like
Amnesiac and Hail to the Thief that takes a few listens and time to grow on the
listener.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Gallant – Ology
The beautiful debut from singer Gallant features as much
soul and sexy finesse as a Prince release. It is not only impressive it is a
sign of things to come.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Pantha Du Prince – The Triad
For his first solo record in six years, German producer
Pantha Du Prince takes listeners to a further space of musical darkness and ambience.
This is the soundtrack to astronauts floating in space.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Eagulls – Ullages
The Leeds, England band returns but this time much more melodic
and fascinating than the post-punk noise rock they delivered on their debut. An
impressive step forward into what could be a sharp new direction.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Catfish & The Bottlemen – The Ride
The Welsh band returns with more catchy hooks, driving riffs
and earnest songwriting. It picks up where their impressive debut left off and
is here to save radio rock and roll.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Aloha – Little Windows Cut Right Through
After six years away, the Ohio indie rockers return
recharged and refurbished after their hiatus and bring with them a brilliant
melodic and catchy comeback album.
FINAL GRADE: B+
So So Glos – Kamikaze
The So So Glos came about in the wrong era but these New
York punks make their DIY aesthetic dangerous, creative and fun. Kamikaze is
their way to bring rawness back to a musical world so polished.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Modern Baseball – Holy Ghost
Philly’s emo punk revivalists come alive on their third
record. Holy Ghost takes listeners back a decade to a sound that dominated
college rock radio and then faded as fast as it came. This band holds onto what
the scene was about and brings a new energy for all fans to come together and
enjoy.
FINAL GRADE: B
Twin Peaks – Down to Heaven
The Chicago slacker punks return with a new album of the raw
energy that has made them heroes from the Midwest and beyond.
FINAL GRADE: B
Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid
The lyrical wordsmith that is Aesop Rock returns with his
latest offering of microphone destruction. While his tongue is the weapon that
engages listeners the album falls a bit flat on the production end.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Holy Fuck – Congrats
The electronic duo returns with new sounds to make the
summertime relaxation come into full effect.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Vinnie Caruana – Survivors Guilt
The I Am The Avalanche and MoveLife frontman is back again
with another solo offering that hears him tearing another layer of his soul out
and putting it on wax for fans to endure.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Mudcrutch – 2
Tom Petty has reactivated his first band for a throwback
rock and roll fest for the ages.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Richard Ashcroft – These People
Since going solo, the former Verve frontman’s records are
hit or miss – These People unfortunately misses. Many of the songs are just far
too long for their own good and don’t go anywhere. Lyrics are still the
singer’s strong point, which saves the album from being a total disappointment,
but after five years ago, fans would have expected something far greater and
poignant
FINAL GRADE: C+
Drake – Views
The surprise release from Toronto’s most obnoxious son (Rest
in Peace Rob Ford), is just another record of him showing off what he has and
what you don’t. It is a record, like his others, where his best songs are when
he is singing and his worst is when he attempts to be a rapper that has
something to say.
FINAL GRADE: D
A$AP Ferg – Always Strive and Prosper
Three years after his impressive debut which laid the
foundation for trap to come into the mainstream, Ferg returns. This time, instead
of pushing the boundaries of the genre he helped create, he falls victim of it.
His latest is uninspiring and complacent, which is upsetting since his debut
was fresh and invigorating.
FINAL GRADE: D
