Tag Archives: 3

Anna Meredith – Varmints

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Experimental electro which dabbles in a variety of styles and compositional approaches.

Moods

Creative, is there a Julliard for electro? Anna Meredith should probably be the dean

Thoughts

There's an unpolished approach here that appeals to me; things aren't perfect. It's got a punk-like intensity as art that demands attention. A lot of musicians seem to be confirming to this mood-muzak style and Varmints fights that.

Compositionally rooted in prog rock and classical moments, I struggle with how to describe this. That's a good thing as its succeeds in its ambitions.

Need to look further into her catalog.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Anna-Meredith-Varmints/release/8205358

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vajhs2wBeCU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMLXiNfxdI8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4F2_cWk8cY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_MO6fL6D7M

Spotify


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Anna Meredith – Varmints

Description: Album Review of Anna Meredith – Varmints


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Kindness – World, You Need A Change Of Mind

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Electro-pop, bit of instrumentation, light soul funk

Moods

Mainstream panda bear

Thoughts

I like his brand of pop, he's got this lazy delivery that feels very much his own. It's got a reverb effect which is really the extent of the panda bear comparison. Just the right amount of house friendly electronics and chilled out pop band.

Confident with a clear vision in mind, the end result speaks for itself with good and varied pop songs; I can honestly say I like every track here with a few standouts early in the album:

'Swinging party' is a nice little sing along, he can cut a good pop-friendly house beat too,

Album opener 'SEOD' sets the mood appropriately.

Good fun vibes on 'anyone can fall in love'.  

Recommend for male alt-pop fans who like acts like twin shadow and how to dress well.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Kindness-World-You-Need-A-Change-Of-Mind/release/3488609

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdeR3Mw1fhE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZxPsLjinP4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jddGsBE_eIs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI73NFINsyo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROAjl5JkunI

Spotify


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Kindness – World, You Need A Change Of Mind

Description: Album Review of Kindness – World, You Need A Change Of Mind


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

The Cure – The Head On The Door

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

80s alt rock with a bit of jangle pop

Moods

A radio friendly cure record

Thoughts

a mediocre cure album with some standouts like 'six different ways' and 'close to me'. It's still the cure so even mediocre is great, there's something so timeless about their jangliness. Here there is a wistful love of life and exploring the world. Robert Smith has a knack for creating enjoyable pop.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Cure-The-Head-On-The-Door/release/379923

Listen!

Spotify


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The Cure – The Head On The Door

Description: Album Review of The Cure – The Head On The Door


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Mano Le Tough – Trails

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Hip electro

Moods

Electro for cool haircut bros

Thoughtsp

Discogs calls this deep house, if it is it's a very pop friendly version of that if it is; call it radio friendly deep house. His production is top notch with a professional polish and rich sound. Tracks are often built around generic house beat but then he'll add production flourishes with borrowed acid synths and bass lines with a slight leftfield stutter. Songs run a little long and he takes his time opening them up, truthfully it feels at odds with the accessible vibe he's putting on. 'Trails' for instance has a strong celebratory feeling but it lingers too long at 6 minutes and it wants by the end.

Lyrically its weak. Feels forced like he's reaching for profound but it's lacking; I'd prefer a more personal approach.

Overall more bad than good with an impressive amount of consistency. I'm not sure this will be the sort of thing I continue to come back but we'll see.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Mano-Le-Tough-Trails/release/7696009

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFFMB89K5yI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIS4Q4TwZG0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRgUoyqrlkw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX9EmXkjRqA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOAAjV0GfCQ

Spotify


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Mano Le Tough – Trails

Description: Album Review of Mano Le Tough – Trails


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

The Japanese House – Good At Falling

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Synth pop rock

Moods

Some incredibly catchy and well crafted pop music.

Thoughts

Another BJ Burton jammer, dude is on a seriously good streak at creating memorable pop. After many repeated listens the album is top heavy with good singles like 'maybe you're the reason' and 'you seemed so happy', the later borrows from jangly 80s pop in a good way. Production overall borrows from that big synthetic 80s drum sound. Amber Bain's voice, a lovely indie (re: imperfect) front girl, is produced in a way that could carry ships across seas; full and extending.

The album takes a deliberately quieter and personal midsection. Amber lazily singing lines like "everybody hates me" in true millennial fashion is juxtaposed with Giorgio moroder like synth lines.

Production gets decidedly more basic as the album unfolds with the final two tracks really just leaving her singing some slow songs. It's not my favorite but they are genuine and crafted with love.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Japanese-House-Good-At-Falling/release/13372422

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEzYD4ZielY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J88UF4HxHhw

Spotify


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The Japanese House – Good At Falling

Description: Album Review of The Japanese House – Good At Falling


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Deafheaven – Ordinary Corrupt Human Love

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

epic indie metal post rock

Moods

Cinematic

Thoughts

 I wonder what key this is in because it immediately inspires a grandiose feeling. Post rock elements for sure as this is exploratory and .. (wistful? In awe? Can't find the word) gets 'heavy' at times but really just borrows from metal with the lyrics otherwise I wouldn't consider it heavy at all. Telling that this is what classifies as metal now.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Deafheaven-Ordinary-Corrupt-Human-Love/release/12243069

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITgslYJhfx0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5eQuhBfDE0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yzGzQ8pu8E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU8g0XNyHRw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPntpS9A-lY

Spotify


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Deafheaven – Ordinary Corrupt Human Love

Description: Album Review of Deafheaven – Ordinary Corrupt Human Love


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Louis Cole – Time

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Quick bedroom synth jazz funk pop

Moods

the white thundercat of synths

Thoughts

He's got a distinct sound of synth poppy synth funk. It's quick like those little soulful flourishes a keys player might lay in but all the time. It's jazzy and technical, good, but songwriting can get tiring. I like the lyrical themes, digital insecurities around sex and relationships; timeless but modern.

I have fond memories of knower shows and wish Louis the best luck as a proficient backbone of brainfeeder.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Louis-Cole-Time/release/12543607

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8Sjam1hnrA

Spotify


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Louis Cole – Time

Description: Album Review of Louis Cole – Time


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Bullion – Loop The Loop

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Billed as leftfield, it reminds me of quasi-electro folk acts like panda bear

Moods

Coastal electro

Thoughts

has a reverb beach boys / panda bear thing going on – not quite organic but welcome lines like quick bongo loops on tracks like self catering.

Good stuff.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Bullion-Loop-The-Loop/release/8185731

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTdpjoUNkdM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJfIjTUdhvM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Nc5ZsZzMVI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3eyXhdLhGs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWB6OPR6Xko

Spotify


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Bullion – Loop The Loop

Description: Album Review of Bullion – Loop The Loop


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Flying Saucer Attack – Flying Saucer Attack

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

distorted and noisy as shit rock

Moods

WALL of sound

Thoughts

Almost feels like a precise mbv. Tracks playing in waves with swells of super noisy guitar during things like the chorus. He sings quiet and calm, an interesting juxtaposition to everything swirling around him.

It's effective and there's something magical at play on tracks like 'wish'.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Flying-Saucer-Attack-Flying-Saucer-Attack/release/8020953

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hB2C-cw_bc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAWRyEbQfXg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa2E-rRT4JE

Spotify


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Flying Saucer Attack – Flying Saucer Attack

Description: Album Review of Flying Saucer Attack – Flying Saucer Attack


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Szun Waves – At Sacred Walls

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

post rock jazz

Moods

Stoned

Thoughts

Jazz I guess but reminds me a lot of post rock in it's slow building songs. Rhythms, electronics and sax textures gradually break down as the album wears on. Like Abbott is a member which explains the solid electronics. Really like the meditative hum on the title track.

Appeals with it's stoner vibe. Drumlines are off time and it noodles a bit. If you approach this as a post rock ambient record it's solid, jazz not so much.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Szun-Waves-At-Sacred-Walls/release/8891765

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze2RBJWVS4E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJw3pXxzgsk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThoLIEgfCPc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTvYn5EgoaU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9enveKtvOL8

Spotify


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Szun Waves – At Sacred Walls

Description: Album Review of Szun Waves – At Sacred Walls


Rating: 3 out of 5