Goldfrapp "Silver Eye (Mute)"
Goldfrapp are back. Wait. That’s an understatement. Goldfrapp are blissfully, amazingly back. Silver Eye (Mute) is a joyous, future-leaning, otherworldly dose of electro-pop. As Alison Goldfrapp says in the press release for the album, “We’ve never liked repeating ourselves,” and that is an obviously true statement once you’ve heard the new album. A healthy dose of ‘90s electronica, Radiohead-esque shifts, modern EDM nods, and even hints at Thrill Jockey noise metal bands like Borders. But all these strange influences lead to an infinitely listenable dance-pop album that’s just as home in a club as it is at an art gallery opening. Check out “Anymore,” the first single from the album.
Hauschka "What If (Temporary Residence)"
I think of Volker Bertelmann, aka Hauschka, as sort of a musician/mad scientist hybrid (the same super-awesome moniker could be given to lots of the amazing musicians on the Temporary Residence roster). Since 2004, he has made a name for himself as a composer of music for prepared pianos (the art of putting stuff in the piano so it sounds different, i.e. art erasers, pencils, metal hardware). While he still does this on his latest, What If (like I said, Temporary Residence), he takes it one step farther. This time he’s ALSO preparing player pianos, composing for them to play songs at a speed that wouldn’t be possible by human hands (I don’t care WHAT Lang Lang says, he can’t play this fast). The result is parts eerie and hauntingly beautiful, like a mixture of Aphex Twin’s recent acoustic work and the soundtrack composing of Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood, which Hauschka sites as a heavy influence. Check out the nervous beauty of “Constant Growth Fails.”
Sneaks "It’s A Myth (Merge)"
Sneaks DIY debut Gymnastics was one of my favorite albums of 2016. Super short songs. Drum machines. Bass. Dry vocals from Eva Moolchan (the only member of the solo band). It invigorated me in a way that hasn’t happened in a long time. So singular. So simple. So how is her follow-up? Thankfully It’s A Myth (Merge) is another post-punk dose of brevity and brilliance. Recorded by Mary Timony, this is still Sneaks thru-and-thru. Wry, stream of consciousness lyrical playfulness, I cannot get over how much Eva is able to achieve with such a small palette. I guess Orson Welles was right when he said the “absence of limitations (is) the enemy of art.” He also said “bring me the Steak Au Poivre” but that’s getting slightly off topic. Check out the blistering “Hair Slick Back.”
Tall Ships "Impressions (Fat Cat)"
The 2012 stunning debut from Tall Ships was both a blessing and a curse for the band. After all, Pitchfork described their sound as “the more swashbuckling strains of Okkervil River and Modest Mouse, M83’s downcast glimmer, and Sigur Rós’ misty yawn.” Expectations were high. Plus, some personal turmoil and a falling out with their label left the band with two options. Persevere or give up. Thankfully, they did the former. Retreating to their keyboardist’s country home to regroup. And regroup they did. Each song on Impressions (Fat Cat) is an anthemic, build-y wonder. Patches of beauty only outdone by patches of even more joyous beauty. Seriously. This one is a keeper. Check out “Road Not Taken.”