I’ve been slacking off in the writing department lately, but here are five of my favorite new albums. Note that I’ve even included handy Amazon links so you can buy an album or two and support you favorite insane asylum website.
Phenomenal Handclap Band
“Form and Control”
Original Release Date: February 14, 2012
I loved this band’s self-titled debut album, which was chock full of nu disco cuts. Their second album is a bit of a change of pace. Instead of focusing on 70s funk and disco-era virtuosity, the NYC-based collective seems to have shifted toward pop. The tempos are a bit slower and they’ve clearly paid more attention to crafting good songs. This is still a dance band but with a dash of prog rock bombast and indie rock sentimentality. The perfect record to put on at a party.
PO PO
“Dope Boy Magick”
Original Release Date: February 28, 2012
PO PO’s long-awaited debut album (released by Diplo’s Mad Decent label) is a loveable mess. About half of its tracks are borderline unlistenable and will make you want to take a hammer to your stereo. The other half are just eerie and wacked-out enough to be good. Oh and PO PO is a Pakistani-American garage rock band from Philadelphia. So they have that going for them, which is nice. I actually think these guys are going to break out any day now. Lord help us if they do.
Escort
“Escort”
Original Release Date: November 15, 2011
Escort is another New York band that’s notorious for its ridiculously funky live shows. This band somehow manages to play some tight-as-hell disco without succumbing to stale 70s nostalgia. I hear their shows are where they really made their name but their debut album has been in heavy iPod rotation lately.
Sleigh Bells
“Reign of Terror”
Original Release Date: February 21, 2012
Everyone in the hipsterverse seems to be concerned about the authenticity of Sleigh Bells. That’s rubbish. Or rather, it’s pointless to even worry about it. Just give “Reign of Terror” one listen and you’ll realize just how original and unique this thing is. Van Halen-inspired guitar riffs combined with dirty south drum machine beats and ethereal female vocals over top of it all, which somehow results in surprisingly pretty music. This recipe just fucking works.
Grimes
“Visions”
Original Release Date: February 21, 2012
Pretty much everyone seems to be freaking out about this album over the past few weeks. The first time I listened to this one I thought, “She went way too far off the Bjork end.” It’s a strange, disorienting album full of weirdo, pop-oriented chillwave and at first I didn’t like it. The more I listened to it, though, the more it all made sense. Worth more than a few listens.
