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(07/24/14 2:45pm)
The Antlers are not just another band that calls Brooklyn its home. The humble trio of sultry groove and soaring talent will perform at the 9:30 Club on July 25, and attendees undoubtedly picked the right move to start their weekend. Band members Peter Silberman (lead vocals/guitar), Darby Cicci (multi-instrumentalist) and Michael Lerner (percussion) have a rare ability to hypnotize listeners, sounding like symphonic swirls of sophistication. The Antler’s most recent record, “Familiars,” emphasizes flowing tempos, bluesy horns and trademark melancholy themes.
(11/21/13 12:50am)
Blood Orange – Cupid Deluxe
After listening to the album’s first mysterious, yet embracing single “Chamakay,” I eagerly awaited the release of Blood Orange’s sophomore album. Dev Hynes, the man behind Blood Orange, has taken his experiences living in New York combined with a genre-crossing sense of creativity and created the groovy, soulful, fresh album that is Cupid Deluxe. The album borrows from the traditions of Soul, R&B, Hip-Hop, Funk, and decades of Pop in order to build a multi-faceted work. Throughout the album, passionate songs discuss love and the problems that can follow. A few such as “On the Line” and “Always Let U Down” feature a complimentary woman’s voice that wraps the listener in the artists’ qualms with beautiful harmonies. “Uncle Ace” and “You’re Not Good Enough” transport the listener back to the funky side of the ‘80s while tracks such as “Clipped On” and “High Street” are filled with immersive hip-hop beats and robust, relevant lyrics. What I’m trying to get at is that this album is crisp, heartfelt, and honest is definitely worth a listen, no matter what kind of music you gravitate towards.
RIYL: Solange, Toro y Moi, Rhye
-Jack Fitzpatrick, Soul Beat on Wednesday 8-10 a.m.
(11/07/13 12:10am)
M.I.A. – Matangi
“Matangi,” M.I.A.’s fourth studio album, is one that’s almost impossible to view without the context of M.I.A.’s past career, her host of contentious public interactions and outspoken attitude. The album is just about as sporadic and bumpy as the past few years of her career, but somehow still impossibly cool.
“Matangi” is rife with dance tracks that changes gears without warning, going from trap to reggae and from sitar-based to electronic, percussion-heavy rhythms. M.I.A. drops spitfire verses, some that make you wonder why she is so revered, and others that remind you exactly why she is. One song that encapsulates this attitude is “Lights,” which definitely has elements of pop genius, but changes, and has you pulling a disbelieving brows-furrowed, headshake.
Undoubtedly, “Matangi” is the best stuff M.I.A. has released in years. Much like the artist, the album is irritating and awesome, confusing and unique, and fans will be relieved and stoked to throw this on at the first chance possible.
RIYL: Dizzee Rascal, The Weeknd, Major Lazer
-Clare Teeling, WVAU staff
(10/31/13 5:20pm)
Innanetape – Vic Mensa
Vic Mensa’s debut album-length mixtape invites a few comparisons. The former Kids These Days frogman wields a stop-start sing-rap style that recalls fellow Chicagoan Chance the Rapper (featured on “Tweakin’”). Elsewhere, Mensa’s syllable-heavy delivery evokes Earl Sweatshirt, albeit with less detachment. These similarities aside, Mensa proves to be engaging while shuttling between a conventional rhyme style and a melodic flow that transforms into a full-on croon. The album’s sound is equally eclectic with touches of drum-heavy neo-soul (“Orange Soda”), upbeat jams (“Lovely Day”) and more straightforward hip-hop (“YNSP”). The furthest departure is “Run,” which sounds like an update of Prince’s high-paced 80’s rock. Soulful guest vocals from Jesse Boykins III on “Magic” and BJ The Chicago Kid on the spectacular “Holy Holy” complement Mensa’s own tuneful performances.
A variety of styles and tempos are juggled to great effect, making for one of the year’s better mixtapes.
RIYL: Chance the Rapper, The Internet, Earl Sweatshirt
-Rafael Smith, The Funk Box on Wednesday 4-5 p.m.
(10/23/13 10:39pm)
Kings of Leon – Mechanical Bull
I spent the better part of 2008 to 2011 telling everyone who would listen how Kings of Leon sold out by cutting their hair, shaving their beards and adopting a more mainstream sound, abandoning their Southern Strokes identity. I’ve mostly made peace with that era, regarding it as stylistic experimentation that just wasn’t for me (except for “Use Somebody,” seriously, screw that song), and I still hold out hope that Kings of Leon will return to form. They haven’t quite done that on “Mechanical Bull,” but it’s at least better than their previous album. The lead single, “Supersoaker,” isn’t all that bad, in fact, it’s probably one of the album highlights. On songs like “Rock City” and “Don’t Matter,” the Followills return to some of the hyped-up Southern rock they started out writing. Unfortunately, for every exciting flash of the past, there’s a “Beautiful War” or “Comeback Story,” pop-pandering ballads that contain such Shakespearean gems as “I walked a mile in your shoes/ Now I’m a mile away and I have your shoes.” “Mechanical Bull” isn’t the album KOL purists want, but it’s hard to imagine anything being much better, and it could be a lot worse.
RIYL: The Strokes, The National, Neon Trees
-Michael Lovito, Truth, Justice and the American Way on Wednesday 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
(10/02/13 2:57pm)
London Grammar – If You Wait
With a deep whisper and ice-cold falsetto, London Grammar’s Hannah Reid guides us on a magic carpet ride through bottomless oceans and dark caverns. The band’s debut album “If You Wait” is gravity-defying, epiphany-inducing and reality-resisting, leaving little to be desired. The British trio specializes in atmospheric and reflective tracks, creating an ambiance that is punctuated by the lead singer’s unique voice and the band’s attention to its craft. Most songs are slow and moody, but their pulses separate them from one another. “Metal and Dust” and “Strong” shine as representative tunes, but “Wasting My Young Years” paints a different, lighter picture when optimism rears its head. With a soulful and synthetic authenticity, London Grammar is making waves.
*Recommended If You Like: Florence Welch, Haim, BANKS
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– Mandi Ray, WVAU music staffer
(09/25/13 4:09pm)
WVAU’s DJs weigh in on the music industry’s newest releases.
(09/16/13 9:31pm)
Porcelain Raft – Permanent Signal (Secretly Canadian)
Italian dreampopper slightly misses the mark on this sophomore effort “Strange Weekend,” which was the debut album from Mauro Remiddi’s project. The album was a great record for both headphones and sing-alongs — rich in texture and melody. However, the quick turnaround of “Permanent Signal” slows Remiddi’s creative momentum, suggesting that more time could have been used to flesh out the songwriting. This is not to say that the album is a major disappointment. Remiddi smartly utilizes more live instrumentation this time around, and the appearance of a full drum kit on “Cluster” is genuinely thrilling following the hazy album opener “Think of the Ocean.” Furthermore, the soaring hook of “The Way Out” makes it one of the year’s best tracks. Sadly, these moments aren’t as abundant as they were on “Strange Weekend,” but they’re comforting proof that Remiddi hasn’t lost his touch for creating songs that stir both your ears and heart.
Recommended If You Like: M83, Phantogram, Still Corners
-Cameron Meindl, Rhyme & Reason on Tuesday 10 p.m. – 12 a.m.