Discovering newly released music before the masses are aware of it used to be a pastime for some. Knowing all the lyrics, mastering the air guitar and making sure that everyone around knows who found it first were all very important parts of being the coolest. Here a few albums that have been released recently. They aren’t for everyone, but at least it’s something other than listening to the same songs you jammed out to in high school.
“Half Light” by Rostam, a former group member of Vampire Weekend, is an album that’s almost perfect for studying or sleeping. Having listened to Vampire Weekend in high school, I find that there are all the elements of Rostam’s previous group, but there’s a finesse to “Half Light” that sets it apart. Perhaps it was taking a page out of Bon Iver’s book for the cinematography of his music video or the minimalism that, ironically, makes you want to go buy the album. It’s his solo debut and, while it reflects his previous group, it is anything but typical.
Open Mike Eagle recently released “Brick Body Day Kids Still Dream.” After listening to the first few songs, I felt like I had listened to the same song on repeat. Each tone story made me feel the same feelings, see the same images. In an attempt to interpret this album, I noticed that it mainly focuses on the past, but also dreams of the future — an all too common theme. Some of the songs are so erratic that it actually made me physically frustrated. But maybe there is a level of musicality that I have yet to unearth in myself.
After listening to music for hours on end, trying to write this article, I stumbled across the album “I Tell a Fly” by Benjamin Clementine. Just as I was hoping and praying for something different, or an eye-opening album to listen to, I got this. Though it wasn’t exactly what I was searching for, it’s just fine. If you can imagine Death Grips and Timber Timbre having a little music-baby on a rebellious streak, it would be Benjamin Clementine. Similar to past albums, each song carries a similar weight with it and, after having seen Clementine on an NPR Tiny Desk Concert, I was more than a little disappointed. “I Tell a Fly” is jazzy, avant garde, electronic and modern. Frankly, it’s all over the place.
Finally, “Wonderful, Wonderful” by the one and only, The Killers. Perhaps my review of this album is a bit biased, being that I think The Killers are pretty amazing. Imbibing a bit and singing loudly and off-key to “Mr. Brightside” still sounds like a good time to me. This album — however high my hopes were — was not so much of a letdown, as it was a surprise. After disappearing off the scene, The Killers haven’t really lost their touch. “Wonderful, Wonderful” retains the same light and delicate instrumentals that were on previous albums, but with darker emotions. Sure, it is no “Hot Fuss,” but it’s better than a kick in the pants.
Contact the author at journalentertainment@wou.edu
