Hot off their critically-acclaimed 2010 release Gorilla Manor, Local Natives return with Hummingbird, bringing with them a new sense of maturity and complexity. Although still possessing an authentic feel, Hummingbird presents a dramatic shift in sound, trading light, airy tones for heavy, intimate tracks that reflect the group’s coming-of-age. Nevertheless,[Read More…]

As the title suggests, The New Familiar delivers on its promise to be everything familiar in a brand new album. Goldenboy, led by vocalist and guitarist Shon Sullivan, have released four albums since first bounding into the spotlight with Blueswan Orchestra a decade ago. Blueswan Orchestra was re-released last month[Read More…]

There are no “Hallelujahs” or “Jingle Bells” in this Christmas cover compilation, but the unconventional song choices, including covers of Linkin Park, Coldplay, and Damien Rice, only augment the audible pleasure of December. This is choir music: voice-centric and airy, but managing to stand out with exceptional emotional expression and[Read More…]

Halifax’s SoHo Ghetto have created a pleasant, if not wholly unique, blend of pop and orchestral styles. The indie band’s newly released EP, Humble Beginnings Make for Good Night Life, certainly correspond to that style. The six tracks provide easy-listening, but a few listens are necessary to appreciate the songs’[Read More…]

If you are among the many that are disappointed with the latest Red Hot Chili Peppers album, 2011’s I’m With You, here’s the possible explanation, and a potential cure. Since strongest creative force in the band, guitarist John Frusciante, departed the group, he has been pouring his talents into solo[Read More…]

The press release promised “an intriguing and irresistible line-up of artists” including Passion Pit, Ellie Goulding, and Feist. But the soundtrack to Twilight—Breaking Dawn Part 2 could leave even the ‘Twihards’ disappointed. The mood of the album is—for the most part—mellow: the majority of tracks are the sort of slow-building,[Read More…]

On his new release, Suzy 6 Speed, Bay area rapper and producer Iamsu! trades the bass-heavy beats and dreamy stoner synths of the critically acclaimed spring release Kilt for high BPMs and an endless supply of carefully programmed snare claps. Su’s smooth, sing-song flow contrasts with the mixtape’s high-energy production,[Read More…]

Canadian pianist and rapper Chilly Gonzales’ career has gone from strength to strength in the last few years. Since the release of his instrumental album, Solo Piano, Gonzales has collaborated with Feist and Peaches, performed with Drake, and released the electro-rap albums Ivory Tower and The Unspeakable Chilly Gonzales. His[Read More…]

The outspoken, openly communist The Coup did not produce their sixth album, Sorry to Bother You, with easy-listening in mind. Rather than concerning themselves with typical hip-hop mainstays like money and women, The Coup use music to disseminate ideology The album keeps its distance  from the over-produced hits often popular[Read More…]

If one had to sum up Donald Fagen’s latest offering, Sunken Condos, in a single word, it would unquestionably be ‘smooth.’ From the funky five-minute opener “Slinky Thing,” the album establishes a mood of sultry reverie that holds (although admittedly not always so effectively). Nevertheless, the nine tracks constitute an[Read More…]