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Florence + The Machine – “How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful”
How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful Release Date(s): May 29, 2015 How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful is a very mild comeback for Florence. After starting out as a fusion between the most enrapturing parts of Kate Bush and Siouxsie and The Banshees, and in accordance with Dragon Ball Z rules on fusion, surpassing her influences in songcraft,… (read more)
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d’Eon / Grimes – “Darkbloom”
It should have come as no surprise to me that after reading Darkbloom‘s hyperbolic reviews greatly praising Grimes and condemning d’Eon in comparison that d’Eon’s half would actually be superior. Logically, Grimes is far more popular than d’Eon, people will find this through her, the people who bother to do so will generally be big… (read more)
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Justin Timberlake – “The 20/20 Experience” (2013)
If you know me, you can guess that the baroque, traditional pop orchestrations on The 20/20 Experience have me pretty giddy. In particular, the album reminds of the direct influence old R&B and soul music has had on its modern variants. Justin Timberlake is much more open about that, and it’s that honesty that makes… (read more)
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Cults – “Cults”
Goddamn, when are Cults gonna pick up that telephone that’s ringing in the background of every song? Must be lawyers chasing them for copying Phil Spector‘s production. It’s a neat gimmick that makes up for the fact that Cults write such generic songs. Outside of “Never Heal Yourself,” “Bumper,” and “Abduction,” there’s nothing particularly notable… (read more)
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Mercury Rev – “Yerself Is Steam” (1991)
Yerself Is Steam is a big pool of stereotypical early ’90s alternative rock noise to get lost in. If you’re a fan of the aesthetic as I am, it’ll make you feel just at home. This is best viewed as a collage though; focus on anything specific and you may realize there isn’t much in the way… (read more)
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Camera Obscura – “Let’s Get Out of This Country”
Thank you, Camera Obscura, for giving me “If Looks Could Kill.” I haven’t heard such a blissfully perfect pop song since… I don’t even remember. But it’s been my most played song since giving Let’s Get Out of This Country a shot. Sometimes, I like to pretend I’m a man above being charmed by twee… (read more)
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Madonna – “The Immaculate Collection” (1990)
Featured on The Immaculate Collection, “Into the Groove” is in the prestigious hall of fame of “perfect pop songs.” The qualification for entering is, when you ask someone which part of the song is the hook, everyone gives you a different answer. I refuse to believe in anything being perfect, but some things are closer… (read more)
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Two Door Cinema Club – “Tourist History” (2010)
Tourist History is a fun little album but entirely a one-trick pony. At least Two Door Cinema Club has the sense to cut it at 30 minutes, making the album work as a short blast of energy. The band could benefit greatly from a vocalist with more guts. A lot of these club rhythms could… (read more)
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Fever Ray – “Fever Ray”
Like my friend edl_mota said, Fever Ray curiously sounds like Donkey Kong Country ambiance. I feel like I’m in that Gloomy Gulch world in Donkey Kong Country 2 when I listen to this, which is a compliment since Forest Interlude is my favorite song on the soundtrack. But I’m getting off track; she’s still no… (read more)
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Françoise Hardy – “Le premier bonheur du jour” (1963)
In some ways, Le premier bonheur du jour is a bit better than Françoise Hardy’s debut a year prior. The production values in particular are much improved and the album no longer sounds like it was recorded in a tin can. Hardy’s vocals have more force and confidence behind them—she’s a true star here. The… (read more)