Overlooked Albums of 2012…So Far (Part 2)
Andrew Bird - Break It Yourself.
Break It Yourself is the sixth album by the ever reliable Andrew Bird. For the best part of sixteen years he has time after time again released solid material with a touch of class that the modern folk scene has been lacking.
Justin Townes Earle - Nothing’s Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now.
I’ve been a fan of Justin Townes Earle’s work for a while now. In a relatively short space of time he has released four albums, that each act as a different scene in the often chaotic life of Justin Townes Earle. His latest, Nothing’s Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now, sees the young musician stripped to the core and tackling issues like heartbreak, drug and alcohol addiction and a longing for a proper relationship with his famous father. A truly brilliant album.
Julia Holter - Ekstasis
Multi-layered, Enchanting and often beautiful, Julia Holter’s second album may be a controversial choice on this list but I really feel this album has been overlooked.
Soko - I Thought I Was An Alien.
I wrote about Stéphanie Sokolinski, aka Soko, back in April and I haven’t been able to quit playing this album since. ‘I Thought I Was An Alien’ is an incredibly touching album and at times Sokolinski’s writing displays such vulnerability I haven’t seen in a record since Ryan Adams ‘Heartbreaker’. Sokolinski’s brutal honesty about failed relationships, being lonely, love that never developed and her pain over failing to make that love blossom is startling for someone so young. Rightfully this album should reach a wide audience and catapult her among the other up and coming young singer-songwriters.
Lower Dens - Nootropics.
Jana Hunter’s Brooklyn shoe-gazers Lower Dens released their second LP ’Nootropic’s’ back in April. Atmospheric and at times epic, it’s just a really brilliant rock album. ‘Brains’ was its lead single and it’s one of my favourites of the year.
Team Spirit - F**k The Beach EP.
The side-project of Passion Pit synth maestro Ayad Al-Adhamy and one of my favourite albums to thrash about to is Team Spirits ‘F**k The Beach’ EP! It’s just a really enjoyable piece of rock n’ roll.
Peaking Lights - Lucifer.
Married indie dream-pop duo Peaking Lights went about their business and quietly released one of the years sweetest records. Take the tune below for example, Beautiful Son, which is a heartwarming song dedicated to their newborn son.
Weird Dreams - Choreography.
Well now it just wouldn’t be a Silver Soundz list without some Dream Pop from a bright up and coming young English Band.
Pure Bathing Culture - Pure Bathing Culture EP.
I stumbled upon this excellent new band back in June and have been playing this EP a lot since. Pure Bathing Culture is a new Portland, Oregon pop duo that consists of Vetiver guitarist and keyboardist Daniel Hindman and Sarah Versprille. It’s a brilliant EP full of nicely constructed melodies and indie-pop hooks.
Poliça - Give You The Ghost.
An absolute diamond of an album. Fans include Justin Vernon and Jay-Z himself.
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