Hierophants — Parallax Error
Hierophants is the latest in the trend of lo-fi semi-comedic bands, and they’re pretty great. They’re unique, however, thanks to their more 80s influences and cleverer than usual lyrics (“Every bridge, there’s a troll”). Filled with fuzzy riffs and even fuzzier synth, Parallax Error is a tour de force of short, catchy songs that you’ll be humming the entire day.
RIYL: Chastity Belt, R. Stevie Moore, White Reaper, fuzz
Top Tracks: Stress, Change, 321, White Bread, Nothing Neu
Darkstar — Foam Island
Pretty mellow, occasionally dancey semi-minimalist electronica. Kinda sounds like it would be in a very hip commercial for something really vague like headphones or a website for cheap airline tickets.
RIYL: Howling, Apple commercials
Top Tracks: Pin Secure, Stoke the Fire, Through The Motions, Go Natural
Chapin Sisters – Today’s Not Yesterday
Today’s Not Yesterday is the third full length by the sister duo Chapin Sisters. Backed up by tight songwriting, and interesting instrumentation featuring the occasional organ, Today’s Not Yesterday is a solid modern folk album. The beautiful vocal harmonies from the two sisters however forms the backbone of the album. The vocals float breezily through most of their tracks on the album, making up for any other blemishes there might be.
RIYL: Over the Rhine, Martha Wainright, Joni Mitchell
Top Tracks: Autumn, Getaway, We Will Not Stop
Sóley – Don’t Ever Listen
Mello sad folk. Sóley’s Last album could be summed up in 3 words: ‘Demonic Pixie Music’. This one is far more minimalist and paradoxically harder to describe. Intermitten strums underscore her bizarre voice nicely and create a creeping suspense –it’s like a slow motion slasher flick when she sings.
RIYL: Bjork, Nico, Grizzly Bear
Top Tracks: While I Sleep, I Will Find You, Wedding, N.Y. Hotel
Gwilym Gold – A Paradise
At first this might just sound like some Sam Smith/James Blake knock off, but I swear its not and I swear it’s good if you give it a chance. Sad piano shit and falsetto, but still original.
RIYL: Thom Yorke (Radiohead), Damon Albarn (Gorillaz), Bon Iver
Top Tracks: A Greener World, Breath Alone, Breathless
Cristobal & The Sea – Sugar Now
This is a weird ass album. At times it has a Devendra Banhart kick to it, at others a Panda Bear simmer. Happy music, but it doesn’t sound like the musicians are happy people–that is to say they aren’t Matt and Kim.
RIYL: José Gonzalez, Local Natives
Top Tracks: Fish Eye, Mary Ann, Happy Living Things
TOPS – “Anything” [Single] + “Hallow Sound of the Morning Chimes” [Single]
If you were at the TOPS show last weekend you’ll recall these songs. They’re brilliant.
RIYL: Music