Courtesy of Click on English. These days no one's a philistine. You love a little bit of art some way or another unless you have literally lodged yourself under a rock. Even then I am sure some far-flung poem or portrait captures that subterranean...
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The Tough Crowd: In the Bin at Joint Custody
I learned the hard way that Easter Sunday isn't exactly the best time to go record shopping. Luckily, punk rock never takes a break and Joint Custody was open till 8pm. This stroke of fate was good for this article but bad for my wallet. Now,...
Sufjan Stevens, "Carrie & Lowell" (Asthmatic Kitty)
The bohemian-folk golden boy goes back to his acoustic rootsSufjan Stevens' musical journey has left few territories uncharted - over the course of his career, the Detroit native has explored acoustic folk, ambient rock, orchestral ballads, electronic, and everything...
The One2s, "EP 2" (self-released)
Fuzzy pop-punk youthEP 2 offers a quick 5 track glimpse into the lo-fi, melodic pop-punk world full of potential for the One2s. “Cryer” is skuzzy, anthemic guitar track that is very angsty and shouty, whereas the drowsy, dreamy closer “Blank Stare” builds up into...
The Staves, "If I Was" (Atlantic)
Epic folk revival, the second comingThis trio of sisters produces sweet melodies that are deeply poignant. They harmonize over arrangements that always feel as if they are about to blow up into a a powerful climax of a chorus, taunting you until they raise their...
Boxed In, "Boxed In" (Nettwerk)
Relaxing-Yet-Upbeat Indie SuperalbumThis masterpiece of an album has something for everyone—though not mainstream, it's catchy and simple melodies market it easily to the masses; despite its upbeat tempo, the music has a calming and reassuring effect; thus are...
Tica Douglas, "Joey" (Swell)
Going on my “Girls Who Sing Softly” playlistPlease bear through this review with me, as I continuously pause to wipe away tears of a mixture of sorrow, beauty, regret, happiness, melancholy. I'm lying on a hammock, fulfilling that nostalgic polaroid photo that we...
Happyness, "Weird Little Birthday" (Rough Trade)
Delicately Refined AngstTo be quite honest, when I first downloaded Weird Little Birthday, the cover art immediately reminded me of Mac Demarco. But this is one of the instances when the banal platitude, “don't judge a book by its cover,” is exceptionally relevant....
Say Lou Lou, "Lucid Dreaming" (Cosmos)
The modern day electro-dream-pop girl band— the 2010s version of M2MTwin sister duo Say Lou Lou captures the listener with their accurately named electro-pop debut release, Lucid Dreaming. Breathy, soothing, layered vocals float in like a dream over piano driven...
Lower Dens, "Escape From Evil" (Domino)
Native American sounds plus the 80sThe Lower Dens have a very different — everything. In my opinion, their album cover is different, their band name is puzzling, and you just can't put a finger on their sound. It is quite a bouncy album yet pretty soft with...