Bibio, our most played artist this week, is no stranger to the KJHK airwaves. Stephen Wilkinson has been crafting albums as Bibio for over 10 years, with A Mineral Love being his eigth LP release and fifth with Warp Records. His 2009 release Ambivalence Avenue is a frequent guest on many DJ’s sets. It’s a devastatingly catchy, diverse electronica album with frequent reminders of the humanity and nature that isn’t separate from synthesised tunes. Sounds from the world around us are a staple in Wilkinson’s sample style, and this is no different in A Mineral Love. His lighthearted production dances from upbeat ’80s synth to ethereal and gentle yet groovy folktronica tracks without any hitches. Layered with drumkicks and pop vocals, this release is similar to his discography in the way that it feels out new ground while still holding a familiar warmth; experimentation is key, and the 13 tracks of A Mineral Love explore but are still imbued with Bibio’s history.
Following up Bibio is Wild Nothing, with Life Of Pause. Crafted primarily by Jack Tatum, Wild Nothing’s third LP bleeds into the same dream pop vein as Gemini and Nocturne, released in 2010 and 2012. This release incorporates a bit more experimentation with disco and Philly soul, which Tatum credits as one of the album’s largest influences. Up third is a brand spankin’ new release from the lovely Greta Kline, known as Frankie Cosmos. Next Thing is Kline’s second studio release, but if you’re a fan of the lo-fi bedroom pop loveliness that she creates, there are pages and pages of Kline’s soundcloud releases for your ears! Next Thing has been garnering lots of loving attention from fans and publications alike with a delicacy that is not to be underestimated. Kline has a beautiful way with words and sound, and the love imbued in this release is translated with ease.
Number four this week is long runner on our chart, Kendrick Lamar’s Untitled. Unmastered. This collection of recordings that didn’t fit into the narrative of To Pimp A Butterfly is wonderful; funky, soulful, and occasionally unexpectedly delicate. Last up on the top five, a new release from another KJHK favorite: electronic/soul artist RJD2, with Dame Fortune. KJHK Music Staff writer Shane Blair says Dame Fortune “is RJD2’s ode to what he believes to be the best the music industry has had to offer in the last couple of decades; a recreation of the songs that resonated with him the most to make a point that the public should revisit the music of the past.” Standing on the shoulders of giants is working well for Ramble John Krohn. This explorative experimentation meshes together beautifully, and the soul of this release is a recreation of the freshest, loveliest degree.
New to the chart this week: Parquet Courts with Human Performance, Kiran Leonard with Grapefruit, Sunwatchers with Sunwatchers, Feels with Feels, Andrew Bird with Are You Serious?, The People’s Punk Band with The Best Day on Earth Will Be The One Where The Sun Kills Everyone, and Liima with ii.
| 1 | BIBIO | A Mineral Love | Warp | |
| 2 | WILD NOTHING | Life Of Pause | Captured Tracks | |
| 3 | FRANKIE COSMOS | Next Thing | Bayonet | |
| 4 | KENDRICK LAMAR | Untitled Unmastered. | Interscope | |
| 5 | RJD2 | Dame Fortune | RJ’s Electrical Connection | |
| 6 | EERIE WANDA | Hum | BBIB | |
| 7 | TACOCAT | Lost Time | Hardly Art | |
| 8 | BUR GUR | Have You Lost Your Faith In God? | New Los Angeles | |
| 9 | PARQUET COURTS | Human Performance | Rough Trade | |
| 10 | HOP ALONG | Get Disowned (Reissue) | Saddle Creek | |
| 11 | BLACK MOTH SUPER RAINBOW | SeeFu Lilac | Self-Released | |
| 12 | CHARLES BRADLEY | Changes | Daptone | |
| 13 | THAO AND THE GET DOWN STAY DOWN | A Man Alive | Ribbon | |
| 14 | CAVE SINGERS | Banshee | Self-Released | |
| 15 | INTO IT. OVER IT. | Standards | Triple Crown | |
| 16 | GAZEBOS | Die Alone | Hardly Art | |
| 17 | EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY | The Wilderness | Temporary Residence Ltd. | |
| 18 | COM TRUISE | Silicon Tare | Ghostly | |
| 19 | MARCO BENEVENTO | The Story Of Fred Short | Royal Potato Family | |
| 20 | HOSPITAL SHIPS | The Past Is Not A Flood | Graveface | |
| 21 | FULLBLOODS | Mild West | High Dive | |
| 22 | KIRAN LEONARD | Grapefruit | Pias-Moshi Moshi | |
| 23 | GUERILLA TOSS | Eraser Stargazer | DFA | |
| 24 | SUNWATCHERS | Sunwatchers | Castle Face | |
| 25 | FEELS | Feels | Castle Face | |
| 26 | RAY LAMONTAGNE | Ouroboros | RCA | |
| 27 | BOB MOULD | Patch The Sky | Merge | |
| 28 | ANDREW BIRD | Are You Serious | Loma Vista | |
| 29 | PEOPLE’S PUNK BAND | The Best Day On Earth Will Be The One Where The Sun Kills Everyone | ||
| 30 | LIIMA | II |
Top five adds this week are fantastic. In particular, the marimba madness in the form of originals and Eliott Smith/Neil Young covers from Mike Dillon off of Royal Potato Family.
| 1 | COM TRUISE | Silicon Tears | Ghostly | |
| 2 | MIKE DILLON | Functioning Broke | Royal Potato Family | |
| 3 | FELA RANSOME-KUTI | Lagos Baby, 1963-1969 | Vampisoul | |
| 4 | M83 | Junk | Mute | |
| 5 | TEEN SUICIDE | It’s The Big Joyous Celebration, Let’s Stir The Honeypot | Run For Cover |