Author: Sabrina Curiale

M.I.A – Matangi (N.E.E.T Recordings; 2013)

Matangi is the fourth studio album by English-Sri Lankan rapper M.I.A. and is an inconsistent mess that’s actually pretty satisfying. “Karmageddon” starts the album off with a bass-heavy sound that kind of lugs its way through the title track, an incoherent dribble of beats upon which is laid a pretty fierce South-Asian influence. “Warriors” is where the album drops the experimental shenanigans and really kicks into first gear with a sleek set of sounds and a trance-inducing chorus.

“Come Walk With Me” is the closest thing to a mainstream pop song the album has to offer — and it works. A heavy contrast is conveyed in “Bad Girl,” a straight-shot anthem for badass women.

It definitely takes a few listens to get into the Sri-Lankan influenced bits, but the bass-heavy tracks and quasi-pop single save the album. This is definitely a purchase only longtime M.I.A. fans should consider making.

Trial Track: “Y.A.L.A”

Rating: 6.5/10

-Alex Melki

Jhené Aiko – Sail Out (Def Jam; 2013)

Jhené Aiko has soul. And if you have yet to hear her voice, it’s time to get on it. Dropping her seven-song EP Sail Out, ., the beautiful Los Angeles native proves she has mad talent. Writing each one of the tracks herself, she approaches every line with a ‘no-holds-barred attitude.’ From getting too faded and losing all control, to her brother’s recent death, to making love in the afternoon, and calling out guys of the past; you feel every word of her powerful, sultry verses.

Not only are the lyrics gripping and undeniably genuine, her sensual tone is dreamy. With each song, Jhené gives us a glimpse into her highs and lows through vivid, emotional accounts of her reality. While the first four songs feature Vince Staples, Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar and Ab-Soul, Jhené grabs her listener’s attention in its entirety for the last three tracks. “There’s no place quite like here, there’s no better time than now,” and right now, it’s Jhené’s time.

Trial Track: “The Worst”

Rating: 9.5/10

-Sabrina Curiale

 

Lady Gaga – ARTPOP (Streamline, Interscope Records; 2013)

Lady Gaga has once again given us an electro-pop drenched album but this time with a hint of space rock and rap: the perfect recipe. Although most of the tracks on this record are strictly for the dance floor, Gaga manages to incorporate some fast-paced rock beats into her songs “Manicure” and “Fashion!” and reserves two other songs of hers, “Jewels N’ Drugs” and “Do What U Want,” for the rap and R&B listeners out there. Gaga flaunts her strong operatic voice in “Dope,” a heartfelt ballad about love and drug addiction.

This leaves us with 10 pop-electronica filled songs like “G.U.Y.” and of course her famous hit singles “Applause” and “Aura” that exposes her as a true pop artist. ARTPOP is the vehicle that lets her enter different genres, or worlds, of music; if you have never listened to Gaga before, you can start now.

Trial track: “Dope”

Rating: 8/10

-Krystina Scenna

Tennis – Small Sound EP (Communion Records; 2013)

This five-track EP hails a sea of change for the Denver-based husband-and-wife duo, Tennis. Not only did the group change producers, enlisting the aid of Richard Swift (The Shins, Foxygen), they have also left Mississippi record label Fat Possum for London-based Communion Records.

The shift seems to have added a layer of depth and maturity to the indie-pop duo. Vocalist Alaina Moore stated that the new material is “a bit darker overall, maybe a little weird,” a stark contrast to the band’s sugary-sweet debut, Cape Dory, and a natural progression from their sophomore release, Young & Old.

If Small Sound EP is a sample of what’s to come for Tennis, we can expect a decidedly higher production value, with a soulful Motown-inspired sound, building on the duo’s established pop formula.

Trail Track: “Timothy”

Rating: 8/10

– Paul Traunero

Sinkane – Mars (2012; DFA Records)

Former of Montreal member and current Yeasayer member Ahmed Gallab debuted his solo electro-pop project Sinkane with the album Mars. The album is a soulful collection of world beats, vocals and sounds effects, resulting in a mélange of genres —from electro-soul, to hip-hop and afro-beat. Prominent in almost every song is the use of funk guitar. The sonic textures and fabrics that Gallab patches together are truly unique, in that they are able to introduce unusual sounds yet simultaneously seem familiar to the listener.

At just 34 minutes and 11 seconds in length, the album definitely leaves the listener yearning for more, which may be one of the few drawbacks to this album. Sinkane will perform on Nov. 8 at Cabaret du Mile End, alongside Yeasayer.

Trial track: “Runnin’”

Rating: 9.1 / 10

-A.J. Cordeiro

 

Godspeed You! Black Emperor – Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend! (2012; Constellation)

 Ten years later, GY!BE sparked back to life releasing an album just days after announcing it.

Those fortunate to have caught one of Godspeed’s five, near-consecutive concerts in Montreal last year may be familiar with two of the album’s four tracks, “Mladic” and “We Drift Like Worried Fire”. The other two tracks are new offerings, and a clear nod to the Maple Spring protests, with “Strung Like Lights At Thee Printemps Erable”.

“Their Helicopters’ Sing” runs with a hiss and a haunting undertone; it’s eerie, invasive, and certainly meant to take you out of your comfort zone. The track is reminiscent of the nightly helicopter patrols, used by Montreal police to intimidate and dissuade protesters during the 100 days of nightly student marches last spring. The song’s tones eventually converge with a cacophony of sounds, a chaotic situation that cannot be controlled until it eventually subsides and lulls into nothingness.

Trial track: “Mladic”

Rating: 9/10

-Jamie Klinger

 

Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d city (2013; Interscope)

Produced by rap mastermind Dr. Dre, good kid, m.A.A.d city, Kendrick Lamar’s second studio album released on October 22, has undoubtedly earned the Compton native the respect he deserves.  Making his major label debut, Kendrick draws inspiration from his profoundly troubled adolescent life. The result; nothing less than sheer lyrical genius from beginning to end.

Differentiating himself from most other artists in the rap game, Kendrick takes hip hop back to its origins, going back to the art of storytelling as he gives a vivid, emotional account of his adolescence. His struggles with gangs, drugs, and violence experienced in his 25 years are evident throughout the 12 tracks, his diction and complex, descriptive choice of words. The original, captivating sound of the album makes it one of the best hip hop albums of the year. The highly anticipated good kid, m.A.A.d city certainly delivers and earns Kendrick Lamar a spot alongside the rap legends he once could only dream of becoming. “What more can I say?/Welcome to L.A.”

Trial track: “m. A. A. d city”

Rating: 9/10

– Sabrina Curiale

 

Boys Noize – Out of the Black (2012; INgrooves)

Listening to Out of the Black, Alexander Ridha a.k.a. Boys Noize’s third full-length album, is like rocketing through deep space in black latex hot pants with a mug of tequila in your right hand and a grenade in the left. From beginning to end, each track sounds as if blenders and machine guns are being artfully played as instruments, all to the rhythm of a choppy yet pleasantly consistent backdrop.

“Rocky 2” and “Stop”, among others, feature variations of Boys Noize’s signature robotic voice interspersing each pulsing track with a droning mantra. “Missile”, a slow-building song reminiscent of gunfire, is sure to coax the biggest of downers out of their housecoats and onto the raunchiest of dance floors. Look for Snoop Dogg’s sultry pipes on “Got It”, a successful union of smooth rap and gritty synth beats. For your hard-hitting electro fix, Out of the Black surely delivers.

Trial track: “Missile”

Rating: 7.3/10

-Stephanie Ullman