March-April Best Releases

If March was a slow month for good music releases, April was definitely a richer month with many interesting news!

Liars – Mess (Indie Rock, Indie Electronic)

In my opinion, as you could have guessed from my previous posts, this New Yorker band is one of the most creative and changeable bands. Over the years, they made different styles but with a unique touch. Their last work turned more into electronic sounds compared with the previous ones, but, guys, an amazing work (also for their artwork)! For now it’s the best 2014 LP in my opinion. Uncompromising.

Damon Albarn – Everyday Robots (Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop)

Well i have to say something about him? Beside his career with Blur he made several side-projects (from Gorillaz until The Good, The Bad & The Queen), in my opinion very creative and different from each others. This solo LP is a mix of acoustic and digital sounds, very soft and pleasant company during your busy day. Spacey.

The Faint – Doom Abuse (New Wave, Post Punk, Indie Rock)

I admit i have just discovered this band but i really enjoyed them from the first listening (i hope will be the same for you). Their style is intense and involving. Brash.

Kelis – Food (Alternative R&B)

I know what you are thinking, What? Do you like Kelis? How does she fits into your tastes? I have to admit that i like some rap and R&B artists and she’s one of them. I like her irreverent voice and, obviously, her music! Exuberant.

Eels – The Cautionary Tales of Mark Oliver Everett (Pop Rock, Indie Rock)

Only 1 year after their previous work, comes out this ‘kinda self-titles’ work. Much more quiet than “Wonderful, Glorious”, you can find nice pop-rock ballads dressed with Everett’s scratched voice. Gentle.

Kaiser Chiefs – Education, Education, Education & War (Pop Rock, Brit Pop, Indie Rock)

Still far from their first 2 works -that still are the best- this LP try to get back to their ‘golden time’ and partially they get to the point. But, you know, when you start with a real amazing product, it’s very difficult to stay high. Volatile.

Squarepusher – Music for Robots EP (Experimental Electronic, IDM)

Looking into the future when we’ll probably be replaced by machines, Squarepusher realized this EP where there are not humans but robots. The style is ‘pure Squarepusher’ in his most experimental way! Complex.

Thievery Corporation – Saudade (Downbeat, Brazilian Pop)

Friends who personally know me will think: ‘you have just travelled to brazil, thats why you like it’. Well, i loved Brazil, but before it, i appreciated Thievery Corporation’s music! This american band always like to explore new sounds, from middle east to south america! i like their ‘chameleonic’ style! Laid-Back.

OFF! – Wasted Years (Punk)

As most of the artists i mentioned today, also OFF! come from USA. After their first self-titled first album, they come back with this nice work, pure punk style, short and irreverent songs. Energetic.

 

November-December Best Releases

Chilly end of 2013 in terms of new releases, but, among them, one of the best album of the year (i will publish my favourite 2013 LPs in another post).

M.I.A.- Matangi (Alternative Dance)

It’s difficult to categorize M.I.A. music style in one or two categories since she is able to mix electronic, dancehall, with indian influences in a Pandora’s box. That’s why she’s pretty unique. I personally like all the works she published cuz she’s able to have a common style, slightly changing it in every work. Energetic.

Sebastien Tellier – Confection (Ambient Pop)

Talking about music style difficult to categorize, Tellier comes out with his ’80 style melted in a modern expression. His last work is much more melancholic than the previous ones, where you are able to find some electro influence. Still an amazing work but, who like his previous works, probably won’t be completely satisfied by this one. In my opinion he’s a poet (musically speaking). Elegant.

Booka Shade – Eve (Club Dance)

Music artists usually go to Germany to improve their skills, this german duo went to the opposite direction and moved to UK many years ago. This work is made of 2 LPs, first one is more like an album, second one more as DJ set. Nocturnal.

The Fall – The Remainderer EP (Punk, Post Punk, Indie Rock)

What to add more to a band that contributed to the british punk history and that published their first album in 1979? Not much. I just recommend this EP if you like their style made of distorsions and apparently non-sense sounds. I am always amazed when a band still having creativity over decades.  Irreverent.

Gap Dream – Shine Your Light (Alternative/Indie Rock, New Wave)

A new discover for me, i confess i was attracted by their cover LP! It’s their second work and in my opinion a very good and solid work. Highly recommended. Exuberant.

 

 

 

Best February releases

Atoms for Peace –> Amok (Indie Electronic)

New project for Thom Yorke (Radiohead, i have to specify that?) and Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers). If you like Radiohead in their latest years, u won’t be disappointed. Meditative.

Darkstar –> News from Nowhere (Indie Electronic)

Published by great Warp record label, this second work of this UK trio is very interesting (as well as this video). Difficult to categorize in 1 music style. Daydreaming.

Eels –> Wonderful, Glorious  (Alternative/Indie Rock)  

13th work from this american band. Always looking for new sounds, but also linked with their simple, involving and scratching style, this is a very pleasant LP. Cathartic.

My Bloody Valentine –> m b v (Alternative Rock)

Probably you don’t know this band because their short -but intense- career started in 1985 and finished in 1991, but you should know that they influenced many other bands in the following years. Welcome back! Ethereal.

Apparat –> Krieg Und Frieden (Music for Theatre) (Experimental, Ambient)

New experimental project for Apparat, who originally is a techno DJ but lately likes to explore new instrumental sounds. Before this, he published a very interesting album with a real band. Atmospheric.

Ellen Allien –> Lism (Electronic, Techno)

Not many words to describe well this german amazing artist. Her LPs usually are more electronic than techno, enchanting and captivating style. This following video is not from the last album since there are not videos available on youtube yet. Hypnotic.

Mogwai –> Les Revenants (Post Rock)

From Scotland, 11th LP from this instrumental sophisticated band. I really suggest to see them ‘live’, if you already didn’t, you will thank me after, i’m sure. But in the meanwhile listen their works, you will thank me as well! Reflective.

Iceage –> You’re Nothing (Hardcore Punk, New Wave)

From Denmark (yes Denmark) second work for this very young punk band. They have to grow, musically speaking, but they have got some talent. Harsh.