Sparklehorse - Bird Machine - Sep 8, 2023
Legendary American indie-rock band Sparklehorse moved the needle of the genre and influenced artists in ways that few others have. Sadly, the band officially broke up in 2010 upon the death of front-man and mastermind Mark Linkous, who at times was the only member of the band. Sparklehorse was not just a band, it was a vessel by which Linkous was able to express himself, and for us it is a window into one of the most beautiful, tortured, and brilliant minds in the history of rock and roll. On Friday, the first and perhaps only collection of posthumous songs was released to the public, and it instantly garnered well-deserved attention from peers, publications, and fans around the world, something that Linkous seldomly received during his life. With glossier production than much of his early work, the listener can be pleased to find one of the least abrasive albums from the band, and I have to imagine that was fully intentional. Every word and flutter in Linkous' voice is perfectly audible, and while the lo-fi chaos and ambient feedback of older Sparklehorse albums is a staple of the bands sound, it is tearjerking and absolutely gorgeous to clearly hear Mark's voice and ideas in some of the last months of his life. Don't get me wrong, however, the cleaner sound of some of the tracks doesn't mark Bird Machine as a sore thumb in the band's discography. It is absolutely and unequivocally a Sparklehorse record, from the deeply relatable and emotional hooks to the cryptic and odd metaphors in the verses, from the distorted, heavy cuts to the soft piano ballads. These tracks, though at times feeling unfinished, will still satisfy even the most hardcore fans of Linkous' work. Rest in peace, Mark.
Favorite Tracks: "Kind Ghosts" ; "Evening Star Supercharger" ; "Falling Down"
- Will Lewis
Deeper - Careful! - September 8, 2023
The Chicago quartet is back for their third album and Sub Pop debut. Deeper combines their post-punk sound with art pop to make something that sounds like the modern day version of Talking Heads. The album starts off upbeat with tracks like “Build a Bridge” and “Tele” having prickly guitar riffs and strong builds as the songs get deeper. (Pun intended) The band does a great job at making each song sound unique. Lead guitarist and vocalist Nic Gohl changes his voice from melancholic to bombastic to fit each song’s mood. Certain songs have added instruments like saxophones or synths to fit the vibe that the song is trying to convey. The album goes from upbeat to a more sinister vibe in the album’s second half. The song “Fame” is a standout as the use of different instruments and a drum beat almost disorient the listener. The track “Everynight” starts off normal but slowly devolves into screeching guitar riffs and booming drums. The album climaxes with “devil-loc,” a completely instrumental song that evokes feelings of sadness and confusion. The album ends on a strong note on “Pressure.” Gohl’s lyrics talk about relying on his partner through all the pressures he has to endure in his life. Overall this album is fantastic and is one of my favorites so far in 2023. It gets better on each listen.
Favorite tracks: “Tele” ; “Bite” ; “Fame” ; “Pressure”
- Logan Hurston
James Blake - Playing Robots Into Heaven - September 8, 2023
When James Blake put out the high-energy single “Big Hammer” earlier this year, everyone knew his next album would be different. The track accompanied by a chaotic music video steered away from Blake’s recent R&B sound and back to his earlier electronic roots. Playing Robots Into Heaven, a perfectly titled album, is angelic, emotional, and full of modular synths. The album works as a hypnotic and melancholic love letter to the scene from which Blake emerged. “Loading” transcends being put in the love song category, it looks into James tying himself to a lover and putting his self-worth into hoping that they don’t ultimately free themselves from the knots. Repeating samples and vocals bless their way through tracks such as “Fall Back” and “He’s Been Wonderful”, each hitting harder than the last. All while serious themes such as self-censorship in “Fire The Editor” are explored, the album maintains a very danceable element to almost every track. You could easily hear these songs being played in a club, without any suspicion or doubt that they don’t belong there. The titular closing track is purely instrumental and provides a soundtrack for ascension, a synthesizer guiding your way as you fly above.
Favorite Tracks: “Loading”; “Fall Back”; “Big Hammer”
- Ryan Carraway
Laufey - Bewitched - September 8, 2023
If you’re looking for good vocal jazz, Laufey is the artist for you. The 25-year-old Icelandic singer-songwriter’s second studio album, Bewitched, is the improvement in every way from her 2022 debut, Everything I Know About Love. Laufey’s voice is heavenly, whether she’s singing a upbeat or somber song. The album revolves around love, as almost every song is either about finding love or having heartbreak. The production and use of traditional symphonic instruments pairs really well with Laufey’s vocals and doesn’t overwhelm her. She evens partners up with the Philharmonia Orchestra for her track “California and Me.” Many of the instrumentals sound like something out of a ballet. There are a few tracks where Laufey strips down her sound to just her voice and a guitar or piano. Her lyrics are so filled with pain, with one standout being on “Promise.” She sings “It hurts to be something, it’s worse to be nothing with you.” Overall, this album is fantastic and a good example of a modern vocal jazz album. Every track sounds great and Laufey’s vocals/lyrics really carry each song.
Favorite tracks: “Dreamer” ; “Haunted” ; “California and Me” ; “Promise” ; “From The Start” ; “Letter To My 13 Year Old Self”
- Logan Hurston
