Erasure "World Beyond (Mute)"
If you were a fan of Erasure’s last album World Be Gone, then do I have good news for you! It’s back! In POG form. Ok, now that I’ve got your attention with talk of Erasure and Simpsons references, let’s get down to business. World Beyond (Mute), the newest LP from the long-lasting Erasure, is a post-classical reworking of their last LP World Be Gone. The arrangements of these songs have been stripped down to fit the seven players from Echo Collective that Vince and Andy worked with. The result is a sophisticated take on already sophisticated music. This collection of reflective songs have plenty of space here to breathe, and Andy can really dig into his vocals here. Check out the haunting strains of “Oh What A World.”
The Skull Eclipses "The Skull Eclipses (Western Vinyl)"
What a year 2018 is turning out to be for Philadelphia! First, the Eagles win The Super… er… The Big Game, and somehow Philly as an infrastructure has survived. Now, Philly’s own Lushlife has teamed up with Austin producer Botany to supply suits to gameshow hosts. Wait. That isn’t right. They teamed up to form The Skull Eclipses, a ‘90s electronica-influenced hip-hop group. This self-titled debut is sure to please anyone with even a passing interest in hip hop (or pocket squares). Check out the smooth head nodding’ energy of “Gone” featuring Open Mike Eagle!
of Montreal "White Is Relic/Irrealis Mood (Polyvinyl)"
Like a lot of people, the last election cycle effected Kevin Barnes of of Montreal profoundly. Turned him deeply paranoid. But another thing happened. He fell in love. These two opposites make up the backstory for his latest stunner White Is Relic/Irrealis Mood (Polyvinyl). Also, he rediscovered his love of the extended dance mixes of pop hits of the ‘80s. The long versions of songs that you ould only hear if you went to the club. So he set out to make this LP sound like it was the extended mixes of the songs found here. The result is somewhere between Bowie’s Berlin era and extended mixes of Prince’s most beloved albums. Check out the eff-word heavy “Paranoiac Intervals-Body Dysmorphia.”
Hibou "Something Familiar (Barsuk)"
The dreamy shoegaze bedroom pop of Hibou is back on the follow-up to the beloved self-titled debut from 2015. That debut led to a string of coveted opening gigs for Phantogram, Metric, and Unknown Mortal Orchestra. This meant that Peter Michel needed a band. Seeing as how the debut was recorded by himself in a walk-in closet, that wasn’t gonna work on stage. For Something Familiar (Barsuk), the new album, he brought the touring band into an honest to goodness recording studio (closet be damned), Chris Walla’s Hall Of Justice studios, and worked with an outside producer, Dylan Wall. So besides recording the album as an actual band, Peter also challenged himself to go a little deeper with the lyrics this time around. The result is most excellent. Imagine if Quincy Jones produced an album by the aforementioned Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and your starting to get the idea behind this soulful, blissfully pop-y combo of futuristic leaning pop grounded in the ‘80s. Check out the positively Virgin Suicides-esque Air-ness of “Fall Into.”