Album: Jump Rope Gazers Artist: The Beths Release Date: July 10, 2020 Label: Carpark Records Favorite Tracks:
I’m Not Getting Excited
Jump Rope Gazers
Do You Want Me Now
Thoughts:
The New Zealand quartet lead by vocalist Elizabeth Stokes performs perfect power pop. The Beths draw on a lot of pop/rock traditions but never seem to be derivative. The songs are head boppers while the lyrics are tender and introspective. In short, it’s perfect music for rocking out in a Covid Summer.
I’m a long-time fan of the work of fellow William & Mary alum Thao Nguyen, so I was excited when Thao & The Get Down Stay Down released their newest album in May. Doubly so when I saw that Thao Nguyen and her many collaborators put together the first great pandemic music video, filmed on Zoom, for the lead single “Phenom.”
Lyrically, the album explores Nguyen’s recently outed queer identity and reconciles it with her Vietnamese-American heritage. Musically, the songs sound different from the band’s earlier works. The sound draws on a variety of influences from blues rock to 80s post-punk to jazz to indie pop with some tracks incorporating hip-hop elements. It’s creative and original, and a little bit quirky but also very catchy. It’s a great grab bag that rewards multiple listens.
What if I didn’t review any albums for some time and then did a bunch at once? Again?
Album: The Competition Artist: Lower Dens Release Date: September 6, 2019 Favorite Tracks: “Two Faced Love” and “Young Republicans” Thoughts: These songs have a lush sound reminiscent of the 1980s New Romantics. Which is fine, if you’ve listened to all of that 35+ year old music and yearn for more. The big twist is that lyrically it is much more political than romantic. Rating: **1/2
Album: Close It Quietly Artist: Frankie Cosmos Release Date: September 6, 2019 Favorite Tracks: “41st,” “So Blue,” Thoughts: Greta Kline follows up on 2018’s Vessel with another collection of lo-fi folk rock tunes. Her sweet voice clearly sings ruminative lyrics about growing into adulthood. Rating: ***
Album: Crush Artist: Floating Points Release Date: October 18, 2019 Thoughts: This collection of minimalist electronic music from UK musician Sam Shepherd was just what I needed to hear right now. Rating: ****
Album: There Existed an Addiction to Blood Artist: clipping. Release Date: October 18, 2019 Favorite Tracks: “Nothing is Safe,” “The Show, and “Blood of the Fang” Thoughts: This the third album from this experimental hip-hop act from Los Angeles, and first since 2016’s Splendor & Money. There are two great things about this album: 1. the rapid rhymes of Daveed Diggs (of Hamilton fame) and 2. the deep-textured synth sounds he raps over. The lyrics are grim and gory, making it an appropriate addition to your Halloween party playlist. Rating: ****
Album: In the Morse Code of Brake Lights Artist: The New Pornographers Release Date: September 27, 2019 Favorite Tracks: “You’ll Need A New Backseat Driver,” “The Surprise Knock,” and “Falling Down the Stairs of Your Smile” Thoughts:
I’ve been a longtime fan of The New Pornographers but finding my enthusiasm for the Canadian band dwindling over there past few releases. This new album has everything one would expect of the New Pornographers, the unique mix of power pop and folk rock, harmonies, virtuoso instrumentation, and clever titles. The first three songs on the album are good, but there are no standout gems like “Sing Me Spanish Techno,” “Challengers,” or “Crash Years.” The remainder of the album is just boring. I guess The New Pornographers and I have just drifted apart.
Album: The Best of Luck Club Artist: Alex Lahey Release Date: May 17, 2019 Favorite Tracks:
I Don’t Get Invited to Parties Anymore
Am I Doing It Right?
Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself
Isabella
Thoughts:
Do you like 1980s power pop, but want to hear it from a young, contemporary artist? Australia’s Alex Lahey fits the bill on this album that just totally rocks. She even rips out a sax solo on “Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself.” A year ago this week, I reviewed an album by Lahey’s fellow Australian Courtney Barnett, which I completely loved, and I feel just as strongly for The Best of Luck Club. Lahey is maybe a bit less edgy musically than Barnett, but her lyrics are empowering and uplifting. And even on the ballads the pair of ballads that close out the album – “Black RMs” and “I Want to Live With You” – Lahey express the contended domesticity of a loving relationship while still being a rock & roller.
Album: Father of the Bride Artist: Vampire Weekend Release Date: May 3, 2019 Favorite Tracks:
Hold You Now
Harmony Hall
We Belong Together
Sympathy
Jerusalem, New York, Berlin
Thoughts:
I’ve liked Vampire Weekend since I first heard “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” a dozen years ago. But I like them with the uneasiness of a white, preppy dude who grew up in the suburbs and likes the sounds of music of non-Western cultures listening to other white, preppy dudes who grew up in the suburbs incorporate those sounds into their pop music. We’re all probably guilty of some level of cultural appropriation.
The sound on Father of the Bride is more stripped down than preceding Vampire Weekend albums. It’s more of a folk rock sound with a little Laurel Canyon singer/songwriter. The lyrics also show the band in a different place, older and concerned with mortality and an uncertain present. “I don’t wanna live like this, but I don’t wanna die,” bandleader Ezra Koenig sings on “Harmony Hall.” Those are words capture the zeitgeist of the times, and yet are hidden in a sunny pop tune that typifies much of the album.
Album: On the Line Artist: Jenny Lewis Release Date: March 22, 2019 Favorite Tracks:
Heads Gonna Roll
Wasted Youth
Hollywood Lawn
Dogwood
Thoughts:
As a brief prelude to this review, a new album from Jenny Lewis reminded me of how much I liked Rabbit Fur Coat, followed by the stunning realization that the album was released in 2006! I discovered Rabbit Fur Coat at the time when I first started becoming aware of new music through podcasts and streaming services, and now my “new way” of consuming music is rather old at 13.
Okay, onto the actual new album, which is Jenny Lewis’ fourth. The album has a retro-sound reminiscent of 70s sunny California pop. This sound is added by the appearance of veteran musicians like Don Was, Ringo Starr, and Jim Keltner in he backing band. Nevertheless, the sound is still fresh, and the lyrics are anything but frothy. Lewis is primarily a storyteller, telling stories of people desiring escape, lost love, and lots and lots of substance abuse. There’s a lot of humor in her lyrics, but often the humor is a way of revealing deeper pains.
Album: It’s Real Artist: Ex Hex Release Date: March 22, 2019 Favorite Tracks:
Tough Enough
Cosmic Cave
No Reflection
Talk to Me
Thoughts:
This is the second album (following 2014’s Rips) from the Washington, DC based trio of Mary Timony on guitar, bassist Betsy Wright and drummer Laura Harris. It’s got a mix of 80s punk and hardrock with touches of power pop and 60s girl groups thrown in. There’s nothing quite original here, but it is a well-crafted collection of raging guitar solos and sweet harmonies.
Album: Crush on Me Artist: Sir Babygirl Release Date: February 15, 2019 Favorite Tracks:
Heels
Flirting With Her
Haunted House
Everyone Is a Bad Friend
Thoughts:
The debut album from New Hampshire’s Sir Babygirl features bubblegum pop, dance beats, and glass-shattering vocals belted out by Kelsie Hogue. The lyrics focus on celebrating queer identity and learning to love oneself. It’s a powerful and exuberant collection that shows that bubblegum can have some bite.
