March 2012
23 posts
Back in 2009, I was a naive college freshman attempting to make his musical taste reach outside of more-or-less conventional tastes. In doing so, that year’s Bitte Orca became a classic in my eyes (ears?). The experimental pop/rock band Dirty Projectors, headed by David Longstreth, have been relatively quiet since then. However, with a new album confirmed to be out sometime this year, you knew Longstreth and his alt-baguettes (Amber Coffman and Angel Deradoorian) would have to put out something new at some point. That day has come, and let us rejoice, fellow listeners, for this track is a perfect encapsulation of what DP is best at: infinitely poignant lyricism with pop sensibilities that will simply entrance you.
No Title (Molly) by John Maus
From one of the more insane (but incredibly creative) musicians, “No Title (Molly)” is an alluring piece of avant garde synth-pop. It’ll be released on a flexi disc as a part of Ribbon Music/Domino’s zine project for Record Store Day, Smuggler’s Way.
I recently posted “Back From The Grave” from this excellent Italian band, but I’ve got good news, y’all: You can now stream their new (double) album in its entirety via Soundcloud below.
Bright Night by Dntel
You’ll probably know Jimmy Tamborello, also known as Dntel, as one half of the Postal Service. Where the Postal Service was kind of off-putting given how annoying Ben Gibbard’s voice can be, Tamborello’s production was unique and demanded attention due to its tremendous layering and complexity. Dntel, Tamborello ‘side’ project, has released a number of albums, none standing the test of time more than 2001’s under-appreciated Life Is Full of Possibilities. Dntel has returned with new music—“Bright Night”—and a release date for his upcoming album, Aimlessness. To be quite honest, I wasn’t expecting much before listening to this track given Dntel’s recent musical inconsistency, but if “Bright Night” is any reflection of Aimlessness, I’m going to have to ignore my presumptuous attitude. This gorgeous, sprawling track entrances with its insatiable timing and layering. Tamborello’s subtle build-up permeates a delectable sense of tension, which is something listeners will find themselves going back to. As the myriad of gears that make up this song push it into motion, it’s hard not to feel a majestic and serene sense of aimlessness.
Ekstasis is becoming one of my favorite albums of this young year. So when Julia Holter shared her new video for the excellent “Moni Mon Amie”, I got pretty giddy. With dreamy office shenanigans and a super cute Holter, there’s a lot to like in this video.
Man, you already know.
What’s poppin’, Italy? Dope-ass dream pop? SOUNDS GOOD.
The Only Place by Best Coast
It’s been a hot-ass minute since we last heard California-loving Best Coast, but now the surf/indie-pop band, headed by the oft-talked about Bethany Consentino, has released the title track for their upcoming album, The Only Place. Consentino has previously stated that this album was aiming for a different result than the band’s debut, Crazy For You. A few months ago, she detailed they were working toward more “emo and dark” qualities, though she didn’t necessarily mean this was going to be some Jimmy Eat World shit. Rather, the content of Best Coast’s new album is meant to be considerably more gloomy, according to Consentino. However, if the title track is indicative of anything, the lyrics are patently subdued and follow the typical Best Coast paradigm of whimpering one’s pining into a microphone (sometimes a bad thing, sometimes a good thing). Lyrically, though, one shouldn’t expect much from this band, and that’s okay on occasion. What makes up for the not-so-astute lyricism is the excellent instrumentation that features Consentino and company creating a track much more layered than anything heard previously from them. “The Only Place” isn’t the best track Best Coast has released (that’d be this), and maybe they’re getting a little too comfortable with their shtick; however, it’s certainly an indication that the band is aiming toward more complex sounds, which is something that should be commended and something not many would have predicted.
Seattle space-funk duo and Shabazz Palaces collaborator THEESatisfaction is streaming their new album on NPR. Check it out here.
New penis psalm dopeness by the Adderall Admiral. Download the track below:
Upon Viewing Oregon’s Landscape with the Flood of Detritus by Titus Andronicus
Last time we heard something new from New Jersey’s Titus Andronicus was 2010’s superb The Monitor. With Civil War motifs and backdrops, the album was a journey through the Americana spirit and lead singer Patrick Stickles’ personal sentiments with the help of rockmusic. However, last night, as posted on Titus Andronicus’ Tumblr, a new ‘mixtape’ of odds and ends recordings and live performances appeared. Nestled within this collection of tracks, though, was a sneak peak at the new Titus Andronicus album, which is still under wraps. The track, which features a what-did-you-expect-this-is-Titus-Andronicus title, is another excellent punk rock exploration as Patrick Stickles howls repeatedly, “Built to last, built to last, built to last.” And if this song is any indication, after a long break, Titus Andronicus can certainly be confident in that fact.
7.5/10
Audio: “Normal Song”
Put Your Back N 2 It seems like a strange name for an album, and it seems even stranger when said album features piano-laden ballads that describe, sometimes in detail, the effects of what it means to be engulfed by the monstrosities of drugs, abuse, and general malaise. Following 2010’s underrated Learning, Seattle native Mike Hadreas comes back with a sophomore album that has the feel of a sequel. Where Learning thrived on that lo-fi crackling and all-around intimacy, Hadreas’ latest album finds him incorporating proper studio equipment and an ambitious, despondent attitude.
The album is out March 20, but you can stream the album via iTunes here.
Blue Chips is a collaborative effort with Queens producer Party Supplies. Guests include: Kool AD, Roc Marciano, and Mayhem Lauren. Download the mixtape here.
Julianna Barwick adds her tremendous vocal layering to an already worthy track. Check out the purposely trite video below:
わめく▷ ⎛VISUAL⎠ from ELITE GYMNASTICS on Vimeo.
Finally.
Please Don’t Go Away by The Men
Brooklyn noise/hardcore/punk band The Men recently released their excellent third LP, Open Your Heart. With 10 tracks of wide-ranging sounds (punk, hardcore, classic rock, and noise), The Men created a piece that is undeniably addicting all the while ending the perception that they were a one-trick (noise) pony. On the tremendous “Please Don’t Go Away”, sweltering riffs bounce off the walls while Chris Hansell quietly—but stoically—repeats, you guessed it, “Please don’t go away.” With the thought of fleeting love contrasting the semi-heavy instrumentation, this track absolutely oozes a perfect balance of distinction on the subject of divergence.
