Review Roundup #4
Ten more albums from this year that I thought were great and deserve your attention (links to the albums are embedded in the album art) :
Moves in the Field
Kelly Moran
Modern Classical
Calming and evocative, Kelly Moran's Moves in the Field is a captivating album that showcases her innovative use of the Yamaha Disklavier, a sophisticated modern-day player piano. This instrument allows Moran to create intricate, layered compositions that blend seamlessly with her live piano playing, resulting in a unique and dynamic listening experience. With rich textures, mesmerizing melodies, and the seamless integration of technology and human touch, this album continues Moran’s quest to push the boundaries of modern classical music, making Moves in the Field a significant and memorable musical journey.
Highlights: “Butterfly Phase”, “Sodalis (II)”, “Moves in the Field”
COWBOY CARTER
Beyoncé
Country Pop
Yes, it’s finally happening. The Beyoncé album has appeared on a Review Roundup. There’s not much I need to say here that hasn’t been said by 10,000 other reviewers already, other than to reiterate that, obviously, Beyoncé is excellent. She easily conforms to the standards of classic country music while making it her own. The songwriting is great, her performances are great, the guests are great, the album is great. COWBOY CARTER reclaims the deep roots of Black music in America, features collaborations with country veterans and new voices alike, and covers Dolly Parton's “Jolene.” Addressing themes of identity, heritage, and resilience, Beyoncé makes a bold statement against the traditional boundaries of country music while celebrating its rich history.
Highlights: “Ameriican Requiem”, “Protector”, “Bodyguard”
Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace
Shabaka
New Age
This new project from one-third of The Comet Is Coming is a poetic and meditative take on spiritual jazz (a genre that has been seeing a resurgence of late). Its use of chamber instruments like harps and recorders make for a lush and intimate experience, like the musical version of being wrapped in a warmed, plush spa robe. Mellow for sure, but never boring, Shabaka has—with some fantastic guests—created a beautiful sonic experience.
Highlights: “End of Innocence”, “Managing My Breath, What Fear Had Become (feat. Saul Williams)”, “Breathing”
If I don’t make it, I love u
Still House Plants
Experimental Rock
Still House Plants' third album is a compelling and dynamic evolution of their distinctive sound, merging improvisational rock with emotive intensity. The album maintains their experimental roots while introducing a more robust and direct musical style, with Kennedy's drumming and Clark's guitar work creating a fuller, more pronounced sound, while Hickie-Kallenbach's versatile vocals blend influences from jazz, R&B, and electronica. In doing so, Still House Plants deliver an album that balances structural innovation with emotional depth, making it one of the standout rock records of the year.
Silence Is Loud
Nia Archives
Liquid Drum and Bass
Nia Archives' debut album showcases her innovative blend of drum-n-bass with elements of Britpop, R&B, and dancehall, marking her as a trailblazer in the genre. Silence Is Loud features a mix of club-ready tracks and more introspective, personal songs, with her lyrics often touching on themes of love, heartbreak, and mental health, highlighting her ability to evoke the old-school rave era while introducing fresh, modern elements. The album's title track and its reprise demonstrate her vocal range and emotional depth, making Silence Is Loud a cohesive and engaging listen that resonates.
Highlights: “Silence Is Loud”, “Crowded Roomz”, “Nightmares”
All Born Screaming
St. Vincent
Art Rock
St. Vincent's seventh studio album, All Born Screaming, marks a significant artistic evolution for Annie Clark. The album blends various genres, including dream pop, industrial, and grunge, creating a soundscape that is both unpredictable and captivating. Self-produced by Clark, the record features notable contributions from artists like Dave Grohl and Cate Le Bon to help her explore themes of loss and identity with a dark, introspective edge, while also showcasing her flair for blending funk and pop. The album is the embodiment of fearless experimentation and cohesive narrative, cementing Clark's status as an unstoppable musical force.
Highlights: “Broken Man”, “Flea”, “All Born Screaming”
Hovvdy
Hovvdy
Indie Pop
Hovvdy's self-titled fifth album is a culmination of their artistic journey, blending their signature slowcore roots with a diverse array of styles including lo-fi, glitchy pop, and country. The 19-track (!!!) album captures the essence of time, exploring themes of aging, familial relationships, and personal growth. With tracks like "Forever" and "Every Exchange," the duo showcases their ability to craft intimate and heartfelt songs that resonate with their listeners. Hovvdy reflects their deep bond and collaborative spirit, creating a cohesive yet varied listening experience that highlights their growth both as musicians and as individuals.
Highlights: “Jean”, “Forever”, “Every Exchange”
Challengers [MIXED]
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross & Boys Noize
Techno
This album… fucking fuck yeah! This is the hardest, most purely awesome thing Trent Reznor has released since With Teeth and it’s a score for a tennis movie. The soundtrack complements the movie's themes of competition and tension, transitioning seamlessly between ethereal melodies and pulsating, danceable tracks. It’s a head-turning change of musical direction for Reznor and Ross, who normally display a quiet, brooding intensity in their mostly minimalist scores. But this is sheer 90’s rave; a booming, blasting unreleased Chemical Brothers album if I’ve ever heard one, and the clubbed-up mixing by Boys Noize makes it an instant rager.
Highlights: “Yeah x10”, “The Signal”, “Brutalizer”
Here in the Pitch
Jessica Pratt
Contemporary Folk
This delicate, dream-like exploration of folk music showcases Pratt’s signature ethereal style with some new instrumental additions. The album, apart from its stunning emotional depth and lyrical abstraction, introduces percussion for the first time in Pratt's discography, adding a fresh, tactile element to her sound. Songs like "Life Is" highlight her ability to blend nostalgia with a timeless quality, while maintaining her unique, impressionistic lyricism. Despite its brevity, the album is rich in atmosphere and texture, offering a profound listening experience that builds on Pratt’s already stellar body of work.
Highlights: “Life Is”, “World on a String”, “The Last Year”
Funeral for Justice
Mdou Moctar
Tishoumaren
I love, love, love Mdou Moctar. Funeral for Justice is electrifying and politically charged, blending traditional Tuareg rhythms with powerful blues-rock influences. The album's sound is more aggressive and urgent than previous works, driven by explosive guitar riffs, driving percussion, and fervent vocals. Thematically, it tackles issues such as colonialism, exploitation, and cultural preservation, with the title track directly addressing these themes. Moctar’s ability to intertwine his powerful political messages with equally potent musical execution, makes Funeral for Justice a significant work in contemporary protest music, a form that has been sadly forgotten—and sorely needed—in recent times.
Highlights: “Funeral for Justice”, “Imouhar”, “Sousoume Tamacheq”
