Now that it is a new year and we have wrapped up the countdown lists for 2016, it is time to get excited for new music to be released in 2017. Below, in order of release, are four albums due out between now and the start of Spring:
Cloud Nothings Life Without Sound 1/27
A little indie-angst to start off the year, this album was previewed with the lead single "Modern Act" as 2016 came to close. It showed off a mastery for a certain sound, one that endures with purposeful balance in the music. Trading Cobain's loud/quiet for busy/simple. There are moments when it is just strumming and signing and there are others when the whole band is on display. It is never so complicated that the melody and hook are lost. "I want a life, that's all I need lately" rings pretty true in a new year.
Also released in anticipation of the album, "Internal World" is a furthering musing on their style and sound. For me, it further intrigues me of this release. I believe that the band is poised to breakthrough with this one. I expect some late-night appearances and three or four singles played on college rock between now and when the next album comes out.
Japandroids Near to the Wild Heart of Life 1/27
Biting guitar, fast drum fills, and lyrics contemplating maturation sung in harmony with a Canadian accent, the third album from Vancouver's Brian King (vocals and guitar) and David Prowse (drums and vocals). Indie darlings whose last release was named in the top ten for 2012, there is a lot of anticipation for this one. Quite appropriately, the lead single title track contains the lyrics "It got me all fired up", fans and critics alike are excited to see if the duo sticks to their formula that has worked thus far. The test will be to see if there is still enough there in mixing classic 70's rock n roll style with 80's indie/college rock angst. Maybe spacing out releases five years apart is key. Maybe there is just enough talent between these two. My bet is on the latter.
Ryan Adams Prisoner 2/17
The followup to his 2015 cover album of Taylor Swift's 1989, Adams is back to form of pulling in every influence and sound since 1950. He is still playing rock and he is still singing about love and he is still doing it with the mastery displayed since the beginning, but now as a statesmen of the business, he gets the press and coverage he deserves. Two teaser singles have been released in the last month "Do You Still Love Me?" and "To Be Without You". The former has the classic backing Adams is know for, some strumming and signing, complete with a breakdown for a brief guitar solo. The latter is a little more Neil Young and slowed down. It is an instant head-bobber, foot tapper, perfect for winter's thaw to come. If these two show the range that is to be displayed on Prisoner, we are in for a possible instant classic.
The Shins Heartworms 3/10
The Shins are back and they are weird. Having one previous album and a couple of one-off singles under his belt with this new line-up, James Mercer feels once again comfortable making music as The Shins. In fact, he produced the album and even pens a song to his daughters, "Name for You" which is super sweet and catchy. Mercer seems excited for this release, becoming extremely active on social media and connecting with the fans that have stuck by the band. In fact, the unveiling of "Dead Alive" on Facebook read "Happy Halloween". This album has all the making of welcoming in a time when cone again, it is wonderful to be a fan of The Shins.
No comments:
Post a Comment