October is upon us. Time to get spooky and time to find that music that will keep you feeling on track this month. Below, check out some of the stellar recent releases impacting college radio!
Top 5 Adds
5. “*repeat repeat” by Floral Canyon
Although based in Nashville, the trio of *repeat repeat manages to incorporate melodies reminiscent of sixties pop with elements of surf rock that creates an intense longing for a return to summer. For those listeners who aren’t quite ready to settle into autumn’s coziness, this record will be sure to entertain those who desire a more free-spirited sound at this time.
4. “Proceed To The Root” by John Barera & Will Martin
On their latest release, duo John Barera & Will Martin manage to interpolate driven synths with soulful electronic beats to put out a sound that can only be considered progressive. The album seems to rely on a more upbeat house style on some of the tracks, though both members of the duo discussed the album being recorded and mixed under big transitional periods in their lives.
3. “We Will Will You” by Har-Di-Har
Har-Di-Har’s first full-length album comes in the form of We Will Will You which highlights the intimacy shared between couple Julie and Andrew Thoreen. Though much of their musical presence relies on their performative art at their shows, this release provides listeners who crave a record sprinkled with atypical, and orchestral pop elements thoughout. The disjointedness found in the production on some of the tracks makes their suitable for fans of Sylvan Esso and Grizzly Bear alike.
2. “Ease My Mind” by Shout Out Louds
Because the Swedish indie rock band first popped onto the music scene in the early 2000s, listeners have had the opportunity to watch and listen how time has shaped the sound of their first four albums, culminating in the somewhat politically-charged, escapist Ease My Mind. Though this release may not provide the most progressive or new sound for Shout Out Louds, it easily cements the group’s knack for establishing a notable presence in the current indie rock climate.
1. “If Blue Could Be Happiness” by Florist
The second full-length release by Florist, If Blue Could Be Happiness showcases songwriter Emily Sprague’s talent for creating a record that balances longing and intimacy so very well. This album at once feels more intimate rather than expansive, and the full band’s ability to refine a warming folk sound into a fairly stripped back package cements its status as one of the more memorable recent releases. The album very much explores the idea of taking comfort in the sharing of troubles from one individual to another.
Top 5 Charts
5. “Dedicated To Bobby Jameson” by Ariel Pink
Ariel Pink’s latest release, dedicated to musician Bobby Jameson hence the title, has been very well-received by both Ariel Pink fans and new listeners alike. This album finds Pink’s sonic expression in the form of tracks which seem both dreamy yet concentrated at the same time. Its presentation as a dedication album makes the process and the work seem slightly more streamlined than his past work, but Ariel Pink’s tongue-in-cheek approach to the writing and recording process is just as present as ever.
4. “A Deeper Understanding” by The War On Drugs
With much critical acclaim surrounding the latest album my The War On Drugs, it is difficult not to become naturally curious about the recording and production process that lead singer Adam Granduciel took in his approach. It is difficult to find a track on this lengthy release that is not executed to the best of its ability. From track to track, Granduciel masterfully projects a model of his personal life into an intimate yet dreamy soundscape at times, clearly marked by the influence of 80’s rock that permeates so smoothly throughout.
3. “Painted Ruins” by Grizzly Bear
“Given that our albums aren’t necessarily like, you listen to it once and you love it, I always want to give an album at least five listens,” vocalist Ed Droste remarked in regards to how to approach Grizzly Bear’s albums, more specifically, Painted Ruins, their first full-length release in five years. Listeners have been craving for new music by the group for awhile, and the hype surrounding the album is no different; Painted Ruins seems to call upon the listener to find the focus of the sound themselves, rather than painting a clear narrative path. In doing so, Grizzly Bear has made a record sure to keep listeners’ ears tuned in and their minds in awe.
2. “A Moment Apart” by ODESZA
ODESZA’s latest release finds the duo finishing the job they left on their previous release, In Return. The solid effort to transform the beat-heavy layered production into a painting of light and color is very much present in A Moment Apart, though sometimes at the expense of lyrical thought. What the album may lack in detail, it makes up for it in the form of catchy, electronic pop hooks that keeps its placement in the charts steady as ever.
1. “Antisocialites” by Alvvays
Alvvays finds themselves at the top of the charts this week with their latest release, Antisocialites. This album finds the band refining their melodic focus established on their debut self-titled record. Antisocialites finds the group taking full command of their treatment of pop-friendly melodies instead of putting them onto the record to create a statement about their desire to not self-categorize to a genre. The group proves that what they are best at it can manifest in the form of an album that makes space for plenty of uptempo works, while retaining a clearer focus on sonic quirks, only further evidenced by the stylization of their name.