If It's Too Loud...

Artist : Joana Serrat Album : Big Wave Quick Thoughts : This is my favorite listen in a long, long time. Joana Serrat is new to me, even though this is her latest of many records. The level of songwriting here, the instrumentation, the absolute gorgeous music across the board here is incredible, and it's an album that made me stop and pay attention over and over and over. "Freewheel" in particular is one I keep sharing with people because it's that good, but the album is sort of like a folk rock/dream pop hybrid that is unlike anything I've heard of late and yet feels so, so right. One of the best of the year, without question. Songs of Note : "The Cord," "Freewheel," "Sufferer," "Are You Still Here," "Big Lagoons," "Broken Hearted" Artist : AURORA Album : What Happened to the Heart? Quick Thoughts : AURORA's been around for close to a decade now, and this is a pop record of someone confiden...

Artist : Logan Lynn Album : New Money Quick Thoughts : This has no business being as good as it is. It's electro-pop with a sort of anti-folk bent, but I loved it over and over and then got to the Liz Phair cover, which is perfect . Logan Lynn won't be for everybody, but if you're looking for a Marc Rebillet-ish danceable record this week, check this out. Songs of Note : "It's Been Forever," "Fuck and Run" Artist : Che Noir Album : Food For Thought Quick Thoughts : This is a really great rap album this week. Che Noir offers up a record with some excellent low-key backing beats and one great song after another. She's more Sa-Roc than Nicki, and that's to her benefit as well. The whole thing is great, and is definitely my favorite rap album this week. Songs of Note : Artist : Artsick Album : Fingers Crossed Quick Thoughts : Sometimes Ken sends me things I've never heard of, and they're so good that I shoot him the "hol...

Artist : Stef Chura Album : Midnight Quick Description : New album from an indie favorite. Why You Should Listen : Chura's debut was amazing, and this is a worthy follow-up. Overall Thoughts : The long, long awaited follow-up from a favorite around here, this is absolutely a more ambitious and more complex release than one might have anticipated if they hadn’t listened to advance singles like “Method Man.” While there is not a hook-laden song like “Slow Motion” in here on first listen, what we do have is a very great follow-up that definitely appears to be something that will reward multiple listens. If you’re not on the bandwagon yet, now is as good a time as any to hop on board. Recommendation : A must-listen, and one of the best of the week. Artist : Palehound Album : Black Friday Quick Description : Latest from the indie act. Why You Should Listen : Palehound has been good for a while, and this is their best effort yet. Overall Thoughts : Palehound is another ban...

Artist : Aurora Album : Infections of a Different Kind Quick Description : Why You Should Listen : Overall Thoughts : I think what is interesting about this mini-album is how seemingly fully-formed Aurora came to us. There is a difference between being stuck in a rut, like we see with countless acts on follow-ups to successful efforts, and pushing the boundaries of what clearly worked in a debut. The strength of this is in its cohesion – there aren’t any songs that jump out as individual pieces as we got with the first full-length, but it’s a better unit of songs in comparison. Fans will like it, newcomers will like it, there’s nothing wrong with this. Recommendation : Artist : Miss World Album : Keeping Up With Miss World Quick Description : Sugary sweet rock straight out of the garage. Why You Should Listen : You need something to change/maintain your peppy disposition. Overall Thoughts : Bubblegummy poppy rock music that just makes me happy. There’s not a lot more to...

A solid week on a whole. Album of the Week : Artist : Aurora Album : All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend Quick Description : Gorgeous, addictive Nordic synthpop. Why You Should Listen : Straddles the line near-perfectly on traditional pop and strange synthpop. Overall Thoughts : I first learned of Aurora via "Running With the Wolves," and this has been a long-awaited full-length from her for me. I'm liking where the style is going, here - it's very accessible, but doesn't try to push the pop angle too too much. It means that it doesn't work 100% of the time, but when it does, it's memorable. This won't be for everyone, but those who love pop music will find a lot to love here. And she's only 19?! Recommendation : Best release of the week, so it's worth a spin. Artist : Lucius Album : Good Grief Quick Description : Second album by the throwback band. Why You Should Listen : Lucius likes to ape certain musical eras, and they ...