★★★☆☆ = Good!
What’s it sound like?
Slick modern synth pop with a good female singer
Thoughts
Good for a light pop record, reminded me of that grouper album I like. However it was lacking substance and inconsistent.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Chairlift-Moth/release/8001396
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★★★☆☆ = Good!
What’s it sound like?
A modern psychedelic version of crazy horse
Thoughts
Rocking, reminds me a lot of a psychedelic crazy horse. Has a modern feel, leveraging dark pop like blonde redhead 23.
The long crunchy distorted guitar lines add a layer of texture not often found in modern rock. Think that’s what makes this so distinct and memorable.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Heron-Oblivion-Heron-Oblivion/release/8147085
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★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening
What’s it sound like?
Spiritual organ and trumpet
Thoughts
A patient but effective piece of minimal spiritual jazz. Cherry’s trumpet playing is in top form with expansive but delicate solos (interesting in this context as I associate him with avant garde dissonance). Descending moonshine dervishes is the highlight as the two seem most in sync with Riley’s organ solos building into tasteful melodic lines that cherry tastefully solos over.
I heard this on the YouTube version which I think is incorrect. Sunrise of the planetary collective sees Riley playing solo on a more electric keyboard that provides an ominous tone. Koln improv falls somewhere in the middle with cherry returning but the keys continuing in their electric sound. Less spiritual, more jazz.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Terry-Riley-Don-Cherry-Karl-Berger-K%C3%B6ln-February-23-1975/release/8692739
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★★★☆☆ = Good!
What’s it sound like?
Tight funky jam band
Thoughts
Good album overall but the second half opens up. The hooks get a little more memorable on jams like so high and danger. The singer is a great, super soulful.
Can totally hear krasnows production here, fans of soullive should check this out.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/The-Motet-Totem/release/10589795
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★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine
What’s it sound like?
Spacey pleasant Minimal techno house
Thoughts
I like this style, reminds me of the orb. Need more chilled out house like this. However I felt no need to revisit.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Ex-Terrestrial-Paraworld/release/8179177
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★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening
What’s it sound like?
Young alt rock band with personal exploratory singing.
Thoughts
Pinegrove is one of my favorite new finds over the past few years. Something about this band really just clicks for me. Maybe it’s the familiarity of the chord driven songs with lyrics that I connect with. Either way they’re entire catalog has gotten repeat listens and is a+.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Pinegrove-Cardinal/release/8117868
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★★★☆☆ = Good!
What’s it sound like?
Bassy hip minimal house.
Thoughts
Galcher lustwerk makes a pretty solid minimal house record. It’s not outstanding but I like his style direction and overall sound. This is an accessible introduction to his brand of house.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Studio-OST-Scenes-2012-2015/release/8361439
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★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening
What’s it sound like?
Modern pop / R&B. Has a soulful well traveled hip vibe to it that incorporates elements of 80s synth funk.
Thoughts
Why a 5? This album was there for me in the hottest loneliest summer. It inspires hope fear and honesty. I’ll love it til I die.
Dev hynes you rock, thanks for this one.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Blood-Orange-Freetown-Sound/release/9001208
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★★★☆☆ = Good!
What’s it sound like?
Multi-instrument female fronted alt-pop
Thoughts
An impressive debut with varied instrumentation creating layers of textures that draws from the best of female alt-pop. The core is a dual harmony with an almost sprite like quality, Tegan and Sara kinda. There’s a darkness here akin to Grimes earlier stuffand bjork’s ethereal quality.
The maturity of the songwriting is what I find most impressive as these songs build and morph in a measured way.
The album starts to wander in the second half but this is a must for fans of modern female alt-pop. The future looks exceedingly bright for this duo.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Lets-Eat-Grandma-I-Gemini/release/8678515
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★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening
What’s it sound like?
A scatter of modern electro styles: trap, Blood Diamonds / Grimes art-electro, pensive piano bits, confessional lyrics.
Thoughts
Another good one from Ricky, this is the third album I’ve heard of his and I continue to be impressed by his catalog.
The constant change is what makes this such an engaging album. He’s not a particularly good songwriter but strings this together into a great collage.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Ricky-Eat-Acid-Talk-To-You-Soon/release/9302447
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