If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Seannie Bryan It's been ten years since Alex Lahey released her debut EP, and she's set to release an anniversary edition in July. The first single is a reworking of "You Don't Think You Like People Like Me" which features a guest appearance from Tegan and Sara. As with most songs from Lahey, this one should be too pop for me, but as always, I absolutely love "You Don't Think You Like People Like Me." The Melbourne born artist always seems to be able to add just enough of an edge to the track to keep it from being too pop, and this one crosses slightly into rock territory to keep things interesting. Plus, you can never go wrong with having Tegan and Sara on a song. Alex Lahey says of her new single: "I vividly remember writing this collection of songs in my childhood bedroom at my mum’s house next to a small window where I could catch glimpses of the ever expanding edges of the Melbourne city landscape in the years I lived there. I sold...

Some catch-up along with the new releases... Artist : The Wolff Sisters Album : Queendom of Nothing Quick Description : New album from a local favorite. Why You Should Listen : The Wolff Sisters should be huge. Overall Thoughts : We loved the debut album from The Wolff Sisters, Cahoon Hollow , and to say that this new album has been on our anticipated list for a while is an understatement. What I didn't expect was for this new record to be such a leap forward. There's no sophomore slump here: Queendom of Nothing is a gorgeous, confident record that improves on everything this band has already accomplished up to now, and, in a more just world, would propel them into greater stardom. For now, they'll have to remain our collective secret, but do not sleep on this. It's not only one of the best of the week... Recommendation : ...it's one of the best of the year. Artist : Sofia Talvik Album : Paws of a Bear Quick Description : Latest from the Americana-...

A slower week, but an abbreviated post given my schedule blowing up again. The Plan - Nervous Energy : This is a different one, for sure. The Plan is absolutely going the strange, stilted indie rock route with this, and the returns are interesting in and of themselves. I can’t say for sure whether I liked it, but this is an album of odd song structures and challenging listens. I didn’t love it on first listen, but this is absolutely an album I want to revisit. I recommend giving it a shot, especially in a slower week. Various Artists - Tegan and Sara Present The Con X : A tribute/covers record of Tegan and Sara’s The Con . It’s not my favorite T&S record at all, and my familiarity with the songs has deteriorated with time. The versions here? As with any album like this, it’s hit-or-miss. Some interesting takes, other ones that just don’t work. Take what you like and leave the rest, I think. Dori Freeman - Letters Never Read : We enjoyed Dori Freeman’s previous record,...

Here are the rest of the releases for the week! Artist : Tegan and Sara Album : Love You to Death Quick Description : Newest album by the twin sisters. Why You Should Listen : Tegan and Sara have been consistently great for a long time now, and this album is no different. Overall Thoughts : Tegan and Sara have been mixing it up lately, and the synth-heavy pop rock of their previous album leads way to the logical progression of Love You to Death , which embraces that aesthetic quite well while having some definite Carly Rae-style hooks throughout. It's a very modern pop record in a lot of ways, and that isn't a bad thing unless you're really missing the "Time Running" days of over a decade ago. Definitely a solid listen this week. Recommendation : Worth your time, quite good. Artist : Kino Kimono Album : Bait is for Sissies Quick Description : Indie singer-songwriter stuff with involvement from members of Sonic Youth. Why You Should Listen : The nam...