Album Reviews
1: Youth Lagoon - The Year Of Hibernation
Youth Lagoon - The Year Of Hibernation
Fat Possum / Lefse; 2011
Genre?! Well I call it Lo-fi Ambient Rock. Call it what you will.
This album is beautiful.It makes me feel all warm inside. I didn’t want it to end. For a debut LP it’s pretty spectacular.
Highlight Track: Cannons
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDkkK-KHjks
8/10
2: Washed Out - Within & Without
Washed Out - Within & Without
Sub Pop / Weird World; 2011
Genre?! Chill wave
I’m a massive fan of Chillwave and so this album for me is a must have. If you just wanna chill, relax, slow down the pace put this on. I highly recommend his ‘Life of Leisure’ e.p as well.
Highlight Tracks : Eyes Be Closed & Soft
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arfauoVF6aM
7/10
The Drums - Portamento
Universal / Island;2011
Genre?! iTunes say Alternative. I say Indie Surf Pop.
Okay this is going to be a little different from the other 2 recommendations because this album is shit. I didn’t mind their debut, well the first 5 tracks and I feel exactly the same about this album. Each track sounds the same. I turned it off by the sixth track. They haven’t progressed in any way, the only difference from the first album is that they’ve added a few extra synths in there. I highly recommend not too listen to this album unless you want an ego trip where you stop the album half way through, say it’s booooooorringgg and move the audio files into your trash can.
Highlight Track: Money
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqYgNiZdfh4
3/10
4: Childish Gambino - Camp
Childish Gambino - Camp
Glassnote; 2011
Genre?! Hip hop/ Rap
All I have to say is that I lurve Donald Glover. He’s done about everything; writing, producing, acting, stand up, rapping about hipsters and the internet over Jamie xxs’ Adele remix and now music. Camp is his first studio album and it has everything that a great debut should have. Every track is unique. I highly recommend all of his other work as well, “e.p”, ” I’m just a rapper” and his free online album “Cul de sac”.
Highlight track: Firefly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4MsCHBfBLQ
Put It In My Video (featured on Cul De Sac)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdRiGr4hTcU9/10
Genre?! Garage Rock
Yes Bass drum of death is their real name. They come from Fat Possum records which holds the likes of Wavves, Yuck, Youth Lagoon, Black Keys & Dinosaur Jr. What more do I need to say…… Oh it’s a good album. There are a few tracks which will blow your mind along with a few ‘album tracks’ which are good but you’ll forget about them after an hour. I highly recommend if you’re into White Stripes, Black Lips, Wavves, Yuck etc. It also sounds like it should be the soundtrack for Scott Pilgrim Vs The World. PLAY LOUD.
Highlight track: Nerve Jamming
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHZpznGLiRk
6.5/10
Rought Trade Records; 2011
‘The Fool’ has been out for over a year now and to celebrate Warpaint released a deluxe edition. It includes the full length debut ‘The Fool’, their E.p ‘Exquisite Corpse’ along with a remix by Neon Lights. People that know me, know that I’m a MASSIVE Warpaint fan. I discovered them playing an acoustic version of ‘Undertow’ for the reading & leeds festival and from then on I’ve been hooked. I’m in complete awe with them and their music. There’s no band like them around. Both the e.p and debut need to be heard by EVERYONE.
Highlight Tracks: Bees (taken from The Fool)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rvCDxiy6OM
Stars (taken from Exquisite Corpse)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHkP9zRyD88
10/10
7: Florence & The Machine - Ceremonials
Florence & The Machine - Ceremonials
Universal Republic; 2011
Genre Pop
After the massive success of ‘Lungs’ back in 2010, I was worried about the approach she was going to take on the second album, talk about no pressure. Ceremonials is a beautiful second album. It shows how much she has progressed as a songwriter. It has dark fantasy imagery which I love. Plus the production on it is ah-meh-zen. Plus there’s no cheesy cover at the end, so it’s all good. I highly recommend if you’re a Florence fan or want an epic listen. She’s on tour next year with the Horrors as support which is going to be awesome. Good work Flozza.
Highlight Track: Seven Devils
HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=HBCXE2B97TQ
8.5/10
8 : Baths - Cerulean
Genre Chill wave Electronic
I downloaded this album a few weeks back, not knowing who they are or any tracks.
I do this every now and again, buy a random album which I know very little about and see if I end up liking it.
I was not let down by this, This album is perfect in every single way from the production to the artwork. I’m really glad I got this album as I listen to it every day. It’s beautiful.
Highlight Tracks:
Animals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swKcEG3f3GQ
Hall
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJhgsrqTzSk
10/10
9 : Tyler, The Creator - Goblin
Genre Rap Hip Hop
Not gonna lie but I didn’t know who Tyler, The Creator or OFWGKTA were until I was watching a bunch of Nardwuar videos on Youtube and stumbled across this one…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcHxiWwubnk&feature=plcp&context=C34c8cd3UDOEgsToPDskKrs5TlS_Dcz-i62pKVB_nF
I watched a few more videos and I liked that he wanted to be a unicorn and a table and how he mentions R.Kelly all the time. So I ‘googled’ him found out some info and bought “Goblin”. “Goblin” is in my top 5 of favourite albums of 2011. To be honest it is a long album and some tracks are more than 6 minutes long but IT IS WORTH IT. Some of the beats are crazy! I love the ‘outtakes’ left in the tracks, in my opinion it makes the album seem more natural, it makes you feel more comfortable. I highly recommend “Bastard” as well.
Highlight Tracks :
She (feat. Frank Ocean)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFNaFeIm4bU
Radicals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2D4PAktYUc
Yonkers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSbZidsgMfw
9/10
10: Iceage - New Brigade
Genre Lo-fi, Garage Rock, Punk
I found out about these guys from a good friend of mine who sent me a video of theirs. I liked what I heard, it reminded me of bands like HEALTH, Sonic Youth, Bass Drum Of Death, Jesus & The Mary Chain, Joy Divison & Male Bonding. Along with a hint of old school Punk.
The album consists of 12 tracks in which only makes the album last for 24 minutes. There is not one song which goes over the 3 minute mark. So it’s nice and sweet.
If you’re a fan of Noise rock, lots of guitar pedals, Shoegaze, Punk, fast drums, reverb & twangy guitars then this album is for you.
They’re also from Denmark which is pretty cool.
Highlight Tracks:
You’re Blessed
HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=8OMAEND7XZI
Eyes
HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=AFPVO3G3JS8
7.5/10
11. The History Of Apple Pie - You’re So Cool / Mallory Singles
The History Of Apple Pie - You’re So Cool & Mallory Singles
Roundtable; 2011, 2012.
Genre?! Lo-fi Noise Rock.
Okay so I know this is a singles review not an album review BUT I need to spread the word about this band. First off they are called ‘The History Of Apple Pie’ plus they make great music! They are currently signed to Roundtable records and have only released these two singles. I first heard of them through the magical wonders of YouTube! with the track ‘You’re So Cool’ which I thought was epic (plus I loved the ice cream man in the video) it also gave me this Best Coast vibe. I saw them play at Roundhouse a few months back and they’re one of the best live bands around. They are in the process of a debut album, which I cannot wait for! I highly recommend to give both singles a listen especially ‘Mallory’ it’s one of the most catchiest songs you’ll ever hear plus the video is awesome! Also check them out on the mystical land of YouTube where they have a bunch of live and unreleased tracks. I recommend to give them a listen if you are a fan of noise rock especially bands like Sonic Youth, Wavves, Dinosaur Jr, Yuck, My Bloody Valentine and Best Coast.
Highlight Tracks:
‘Mallory’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4rH2faXHjA
‘I Want More’ Live Session
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMYd0zynZSs&feature=related
