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Honus Honus – Use Your Delusion
Album Reviews
Wild Nothing, Life of Pause
I’m seeing Wild Nothing perform three times this year. I saw them recently at the Constellation Room in Santa Ana, will be seeing them this Friday, May 20 at the Regent in L.A., and finally at Primavera Sound in Barcelona. I was also able to catch their free show with Roses at the Echoplex last year. So, it’s been established that I’m a fan!
When tracks like “Reichpop and “TV Queen” were leaked preceding the highly anticipated release of Life of Pause in February, it was clear that Wild Nothing would be staying true to their ’80’s inspired indie-rock sound, just more composed and evolved. Reichpop is a nod to minimalist composer Steve Reich, as it begins with a marimba counterpoint which carries through the entire syncopated song. One of my favorite moments in the album in the moment where Reichpop drops to just bass, marimba, and wailing synth around minute 4.
The album cover suggests a keyhole look into a ’70’s inspired, semi-surreal home, as the Wild Nothing website currently features “To Know You” with Jack Tatum walking endlessly through said room. Continue reading
Porches, Pool
Pool was released earlier this year by New York-based electro-indie band, Porches. When listening to this album, I’m amazed at how much this artist has evolved since the folky-indie-garage rock style of his first album, Slow Dance in the Cosmos.
Pool definitely embraces Porches’ indie-electronic side, as all the tracks are heavily synthesized. The album crafted by frontman Aaron Maine also features frequent supporting vocals from singer/songwriter and girlfriend, Frankie Cosmos. Maine’s distinctive soft and low voice is at times auto-tuned, although personally I prefer his uninhibited voice. Continue reading
High Highs, Cascades
A
ustralia native and Brooklyn based band, the High Highs released their latest album, Cascades late last year.
Filled with dreamy-pop tracks and ethereal male voices, Cascades is very similar to their previous album, Open Season. The first few times I listened to this album, I didn’t find it quite so captivating. I went to see the High Highs live, and that’s when I was able to appreciate the level of musicality it requires to produce an album of such subtle qualities.
Seoul, I Become A Shade
I keep coming back and listening to this stunning album, I Become A Shade by indie dream-pop Montreal band, Seoul. This is one of those albums that really should be listened to in its entirety, as each song’s end leads into the next. The first song, “I Become a Shade” starts with dreamy vocals and ads some M83 inspired inverted arpeggios, this time repeating the verse of the music, then leading into the next song, “the Line” in after less than two minutes, which picks up the tempo of the album. Continue reading
Indiecation 