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Music Quickspins

Against Me! – Shape Shift With Me

Against Me! – Shape Shift With Me (Total Treble Music, 2016)

Against Me!’s most recent studio album, Shape Shift With Me, is a true-to-form, punk rock album. The loud drums, screaming vocals, and crazy guitars really take the listener back to pre-New Wave Against Me! with its quality instrumentation. However, the album lacks some of the lyrical depth present in their earlier works. Songs like “White People for Peace” and “High Pressure Low,” focused on politics and were featured on their earlier albums. Those songs, along with their most recent album, Transgender Dysphoria Blues, were far more lyrically interesting than the songs on Shape Shift With Me. Most songs on this album focus on the singer’s disdain for the past, the loss of old love, or budding new ones. And while the songs are still very entertaining, like “Rebecca,” which still has that raw, vocal anger fans have come to expect from Laura Jane Grace, the songs seem to lack a level of depth and “punkness” due to their subject matter.

Rating: 5/10

Trial Track: “Rebecca”

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Music Quickspins

Tor Miller — American English

Tor Miller — American English (Glassnote Records, 2016)

Tor Miller’s fan base may not be vast, but with the release of his debut LP American English, he is likely to gain a whole new audience. The 13-track album features only two songs from his debut EP Headlights (2015)—the title track and “Midnight”—providing old and new fans with plenty of new material to take in. While most of the songs on the album err on the side of pop rather than the piano-driven ballads he is becoming known for, Miller manages to incorporate the right amount of soul in his instrumentals and earnest lyrics. He has successfully distanced himself from the boy bands of his generation, putting himself in a category all on its own. His adoration of New York City shines through in songs like “Washington Square Park,” “Rag N Bone” and “Chelsea,” making American English a love letter to the city he was born and raised in.

7.5/10

Trial Track: “All Fall Down”

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Music Quickspins

Jojo – Mad Love.

Jojo – Mad Love. (Atlantic Records, 2016)

Jojo’s first studio album in 10 years, Mad Love., is an upbeat, empowering record with touching moments scattered throughout. The album opens with the heartfelt piano ballad “Music.,” where Jojo sings about her late father. As she reaches for the higher notes, you can hear the strain in her voice, which makes the track all the more raw and emotional. There onwards, the album is mostly a mix of club anthems and R&B tunes that dive into lyrical themes such as empowerment and doing your own thing. Many feature dance rhythms and beat drops that are typical, along with overproduced vocals. “FAB.” is arguably the most unique up-tempo track—it features rapper Remy Ma. Standing for “Fake Ass Bitches,” the song is packed with solid vocal runs and punchy lyrics. Overall, there isn’t enough depth to this record, but as Jojo concludes, from here on out, she’s going to “Rise Up.”

5.5/10

Trial Track: “FAB.”

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Music Quickspins

The Growlers – City Club

The Growlers – City Club (Cult Records, 2016)

The Growlers have typically been a time machine back to the heyday of 60s and 70s psychedelic rock. That is until City Club, which was not at all what I expected to hear. I anticipated they would continue to pursue the unique psychedelic sounds and lyrics featured in their previous album,  Chinese Fountain (2014). Instead, City Club has a distinct retro, rock vibe— which makes The Growlers sound like many other bands out there right now. The change left me disappointed— City Club sounds like an album from another band entirely. Some of the songs are a good listen, but fans of Chinese Fountain will definitely notice a big change. City Club is missing the edginess and uniqueness the band is known for. If you’re new to The Growlers, however, you’ll probably appreciate this new album more than I did.

Trial Track: “City Club”

5/10

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Music Quickspins

Bon Iver – 22, A Million

Bon Iver – 22, A Million (Jagjaguwar, 2016)

In one word, Bon Iver’s 22, A Million can be described as experimental. It’s a collection of electronic glitches and overly-processed synth-y voices, which are sometimes accompanied by a piano. Frontman and main songwriter, Justin Vernon, completely discards the typical verse-chorus-verse song structure—instead, the melodies are strangely arranged, unpredictable and, at times, borderline chaotic. While 22, A Million is musically distant from their previous release, the folksy For Emma, Forever Ago (2007), the lyrical essence of Bon Iver remains the same—you’ll hear the classic, emotional stories about heartbreak, existentialism and salvation. 22, A Million may sound too unusual the first time around but, with each subsequent listen, it becomes more of an intriguing musical journey you want to continue exploring.

Trial Track: “29 #Strafford APTS”

7/10

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Music Quickspins

Devendra Banhart – Ape in Pink Marble

Devendra Banhart – Ape in Pink Marble (Nonesuch Records, 2016)

On this album, you will travel from one song to the next, in time and genre. Devendra Banhart combines sounds from different styles and eras, but most of the songs still feature his signature psychedelic 60s guitar riffs. “Fig in Leather” has a distinct 70s vibe which is reminiscent of the 70s band Boniem. The lyrics are very imaginative and, overall, Ape in Pink Marble is a creative work of art that makes you wonder what inspired these sound mixtures and lyrics. The songs are very slow, suited for a rainy Sunday afternoon. They almost sound like lullabies, and are overall very romantic. In “Saturday Night,” Banhart used the japanese guitar, the shamisen, to add discrete traditional Asian sounds. Each song on this album has something unique — you never know what to expect from one song to the next.

Trial Track: “Fig in Leather”

6.5/10

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Music Quickspins

Bruce Springsteen – Chapter and Verse

Bruce Springsteen – Chapter and Verse (Columbia Records, 2016)

Bruce Springsteen’s Chapter and Verse is the companion album to the rock star’s newly released memoir, Born to Run. The album features five unreleased gems from Springsteen’s early days — two of which were recorded in 1966 and 1967 with his teenage garage band, The Castiles. The rugged nature of the recordings makes his voice hard to recognize at first, but as we dive into “The Ballad of Jesse James,” with The Bruce Springsteen Band, his impeccable storytelling skills bubble to the surface. Springsteen also handpicked several classics, like “Born to Run” and “Born in the U.S.A.,” which highlight pivotal moments in his music career. Chapter and Verse is not to be mistaken for a greatest hits compilation album—rather, each song tells a part of Springsteen’s life story, showcasing his development as a musician and songwriter from 1966 up until 2012, with “Wrecking Ball.” He is aurally telling you the story of his life.

Trial Track: “The Ballad of Jesse James”

8/10

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Music Quickspins

July Talk- Touch

July Talk- Touch (Sleepless Records/Island, 2016)

It would be inaccurate to say that July Talk have softened up since their self-titled 2012 debut album. While Touch isn’t as raw as its predecessor, that’s simply because the band is channeling their forceful energy in different ways—this time with the occasional disco beat behind them. The aggression is still there, it just has to make way for groove-heavy songs like “Now I Know” and hazy ballads like “Strange Habit.” Peter Dreimanis’ ashy growl is still there too, although Leah Fay isn’t quite as angelic as she was the first time around. The album’s overarching theme is one of emotional and physical loneliness, and the need for genuine human connection. The production could stand to be a bit more layered—the band is aggressive enough without always adhering to to the same uncomfortable volume. A slightly more mainstream effort overall, with just enough meat on its bones to warrant repeated listens.

Trial Track: “Push + Pull”

7/10

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Music Quickspins

Keaton Henson – Kindly Now

Keaton Henson – Kindly Now (Play It Again Sam, 2016)

The album opens with “March,” a track with slow vocals that then escalates. As the song continues, it adds on beautiful violin riffs. It definitely makes a strong impression as the first song on the album. “Alright” features smooth piano playing that is soft and sad. Meanwhile, the song’s lyrics have emotions coming out of every syllable. It is quite a tearjerker. This album will remind listeners of James Blunt’s music—it’s soulfully sad, yet beautiful at the same time. The album places great emphasis on instrumentation. A lot of violins are featured in “No Witnesses,” which has a classical music feel to it. Kindly Now is the album you listen to when you need to cry and get emotions out of your system. It is a heartbreak album. But no matter what mood you’re in, you can’t deny Keaton Henson’s passionate voice.

Trial Track: “No Witnesses”

7.5/10

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Music Quickspins

Aluna George – I Remember

Aluna George – I Remember (Island Records, 2016)

Aluna George’s latest release, I Remember, brings out her soothing, soft, sweet voice which serenades your ear, and complements the album’s pop-electro sounds. I Remember features pop-electro and lounge melodies as well as smooth R&B rhythms, both of which she blends together beautifully. George opens with the track “Full Swing” which has a strong pop-electrified beat and baseline. “My Blood” follows, with a smooth R&B rhythmic sound. It’s wonderful to hear rhythm and blues being combined with soft electro beats. “Not Above Love” brings you back to the early 2000s when pop music was at its peak. “Mean What I Mean” will surely be playing in lounges and clubs in no time—it’s very modern and has electro-pop with rap verses by featured artists Leikeli47 and Dreezy. Its metallic sounds will be sure to grab your attention—The brassy sound is unlike anything I’ve ever heard before. Overall, the album is a beautiful blend of R&B and pop-electro, and George’s voice is the cherry on top.

Trial track: “Not Above Love”

7.5/10

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Music Quickspins

Clipping. – Splendor and Misery

Clipping. – Splendor and Misery (Sub Pop Records, 2016)

The experimental noise rap group Clipping. have released their latest album, Splendor and Misery, and boy is it a journey—literally. The album is one big science fiction story about a slave named Cardo 2331 being dragged through space on a cargo ship. The group’s MC Daveed Diggs tells the story of Cargo 2331 through a series of poetic spoken word pieces, fast raps and choral arrangements. Diggs’ cadence fits each beat perfectly, whether it’s a futuristic beat full of feedback and noise, or a beat filled with beautiful classical music. Diggs demonstrates superb storytelling, taking you through the struggles of someone in a state of desperation due to their situation. This album isn’t your typical rap album. There are no bangers, no rattling high-hats and no loud bass. It’s a noisy mess but each sound fits the intergalactic theme and makes you feel like you are in a novel. If you are looking for a mix of sci-fi, poetry and noise rap, Splendor and Misery is a dream come true.

Trial Track: “Air ‘Em Out”

Score: 9/10

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Music

Beach Baby – No Mind, No Money

Beach Baby – No Mind, No Money (Island, 2016)

This sunny guitar-pop British band has combined generations worth of sound into one album. Their tunes definitely have a vintage sound to them—tracks feature bit of a ‘60s rock, combined with ‘80s signature sounds and ‘90s grunge guitar. Songs like “No Mind, No Money” and “Sleeperhead” resemble Mac Demarco’s instrumentals. Its musicality inspires that ‘hippie, let’s just be happy attitude.’ “Smoke Won’t Get Me High” is a guitar instrumental that makes you think of your favourite ‘80s rock band. Their song “Hot Weather” brings out their British flavour. The tune might remind you of ‘The Cure’—there is a definite influence. It’s refreshing for a new band to bring back these classic rock sounds. Their song “Bug Eyed and Blonde” is more of a slow, soft, romantic tune. It’s perfect for reminiscing about old memories. The band’s debut album has proven to be quite successful.

Trial Track: “Smoke Won’t Get Me High”

9/10

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