April 22, 2015 – Alabama Shakes, Peach Kelli Pop, Joywave

What’s good this week? It seems like there’s less and less dope things coming out and like things have been slowing down, but that’s to be expected. Summer will be here yet. In the meantime, I’ve compiled for you what I think is a slightly okay new release list for all the great (and not-so-great) sounds of this week. I’ve had to dial it down a bunch, though, because as I was writing this, one of my computers decided to be be like, nah, screw you, Sofie. So I lost a bunch of work. ANYWAY, here’s the list. Passion Pit also came out with a new album– I recommend taking a listen.

Alabama Shakes – Sound & Color

Truthfully, I hated their first album and I kind of hate this album. Although I did like that “Don’t Wanna Fight” song, but mostly because I’ve now heard it so many times it’s almost tolerable to me. Like, it’s fine. Maybe it’s just not for me. I know it’s been hyped up a lot, but it seems like the kind of music for people who like, um, like, Bastille. “Future People” is ok though. It’s fine, you know? It’s like, not completely terrible. Just like I always say: It could be worse. It’s good when I step back from it, and the instrumentals are truly interesting. 

Rating: 6/10

Peach Kelli Pop – Peach Kelli Pop 3

Dreamy Allie Hanlon is some kind of old school campfire dream, complete with twinkle lights and all the art of an 80s YA book cover. All the songs are short and upbeat, rock and girl pop and love-infused baby ballads in the making. It’s almost a genre of its own, and her third album in the Peach Kelli Pop numbered series is just as wonderful as the previous ones. The songs sound gritty, natural, organic– like they were recorded at a live concert in a park somewhere. The songs are cute, cheerful. “Nude Beach” is a personal favourite. She even covers the Sailor Moon theme song, making this album one to remember.

Rating: 7/10

Joywave – How Do You Feel Now?

Nobody really cares about Joywave anymore, do they? I do. I liked this album a lot. I like the cover, I like the design, I like the advanced electro feel of it. Joywave sounds like what Douglas Coupland feels like. If Generation X had a soundtrack, perhaps it would be curated or created by this band. It’s smart indie electro. Usually with new things I’ll give it one or two listens– some albums just don’t have a lot of repeat listening power, but I can definitely see this being played again and again. It makes for good background music at worst– perhaps not as lively as I wanted it to be, but I’m not disappointed with it at all. I did enjoy it the first time around, and perhaps a little more the second. From “Tongues,” the opener, to the interesting “Somebody New” to the middle song, “Carry Me,” which is, at times, weaker than the rest of the album, to the very end of the record, it delivers essentially the same blend of quality indie alt electro that Joywave have been known for. 

Rating: 8/10