Howdy all! Currently, it is the beginning of March with just one more week or so until the liberation and freedom of spring break, but until then midterms, exams and copious amounts of homework are upon us! And just as busy as everyone is with school and life, so is the station in charting and adding new music to our rotation! Below, you’ll find our top most recent adds, and the albums that have been getting the most airtime!
Top 5 Adds
5. “Loner” by Caroline Rose
“Caroline Rose established herself with a distinct alt-country sound in her 2014 album “I Will Not Be Afraid”. Despite the first track of her new album, “LONER”, being ironically titled “More of the Same,” Rose’s sound has gone in a completely different direction since her debut. “LONER” is a dynamic, eccentric collection of songs that unabashedly push limits and break rules… [LONER] will hook you with its upbeat instrumentation, and its powerful lyrics will keep you ensnared for even longer.” -Jaya Chakka, Music Staff
4. “A Poem Unlimited” by U.S. Girls
Politically charged, thought provoking and with plenty of musical depth, “In a Poem Unlimited” signifies a milestone for songwriter Meg Remy. While her most accessible album yet it is also her most enjoyable and interesting work, it is the rare political pop record that looks toward the future and offers us something new.
3. “Blood” by Rhye
“A lot has changed since Rhye released their debut album, “Woman”, in 2013… the smoothly sensual, atmospheric nature of Rhye’s music is a constant. Instrumentally, the sound has matured, likely due to its expanded membership. Husky drum riffs, muted basslines, and what sounds like a miniature orchestra sprawl beneath Milosh’s velvety voice… The rich detail wraps around the listener like a warm bath, and you’ll be hard-pressed not to find yourself sinking in.” – Jaya Chakka, Music Staff
2. “Twin Fantasy” by Car Seat Headrest
Will Toledo’s re-recorded version of the album originally released in 2011 speaks to his greatest gifts as a songwriter: wit, cynicism, and an overarching thematic presence that captures teenaged desire and heartache. A real intriguing piece of lo-fi bedroom indie. The songwriting is quality and the production, while rough, works well in favor when concerning the emotions of depression and failed relationships placed within the record.
1. “Room Inside the World” by Ought
Ought’s third album offers a new refined sound and does the band’s new direction much justice, with that reeling energy still present in each track. “Room Inside the World” is a trove of art-rock and post-punk. Always leaving the listener quite unsure of its potential, it cements Ought’s reputation as an exciting band perfectly capable of evolution and reinvention. I’m probably not the only person to say you OUGHT to listen to this.
Top 5 Charts
5. “The Official Body” by Shopping
Adding a sprinkling of Brexit, Trump, a principally imploding world, and you’ve got yourself “The Official Body”— Shopping’s second album. Recorded over 10 days, “The Official Body” stays true to the minimal dance-punk ethos of Shopping’s previous releases, with the thematic seriousness of the album contrasting with the band’s ‘fun’ evolving sound.
4. “I can feel you creep into my private life” by Tune-Yards
“I can feel you creep into my private life” is a natural addition to the Tune-Yards catalog, songs so singular that practically every track seems like an evolution in the Tune-Yards sound. Merrill Garbus has made an album musically and lyrically ambitious, being most outwardly appealing but most inwardly unsettling, covering themes of identity politics, race, and feminism in today’s world.
3. “Layers of Us” by Mimicking Birds
Mimicking Birds have a swooning sound that covers all sorts of genres, ranging from anywhere between stripped down serenades to subtle synth soundscapes. Full of shimmering cosmic rock, the Portland prog-folk-rock quintet puts you in a dream state with every song on “Layers of Us”, and makes the mind think and care about every subject matter it brings up. Think less Fleet Foxes and Modest Mouse, and more Midlake and The War on Drugs.
2. “More Disco Songs About Love” by De Lux
The post-disco duo of De Lux has released their third album More Disco Songs About Love, and though some may be at odds with just how disco it sounds, one cannot deny the indie-pop influences which serve to create more distinguished hooks. Listeners may not find the latest release by De Lux to be the most innovative, though it is sure as hell to get them to dance.
1. “Little Dark Age” by MGMT
Little Dark Age gives you the accessibility of Oracular Spectacular, the polish of Congratulations, and the experimental charm of MGMT…Little Dark Age’s balance of radio-friendly hits and experimental tracks serve as a perfect balance for those wanting to jump into the band’s discography. If you’re coming to this album after knowing one of their three hits, you’ll find most of these tracks comfortable and highly enjoyable. For longtime fans, you’ll enjoy the change of sound that’s familiar with the songs that brought you to MGMT in the first place.” -Karsan Turner, Music Staff