As fun as it is to complain about “music these days,” and how it’s all been downhill since The Chronic came out, it’s even MORE fun to listen to — wait for it — good music. Every Tuesday, a.k.a. Music Release Day, we’ll highlight five albums worth (legally) downloading or driving to the local Best Buy (lolz) for. (Banner via)
Today, we’ve got selections from Local Natives, Uptown XO, Kris Kristofferson, and more.
Hummingbird by Local Natives
Your opinion of Local Natives will likely line up with how you feel about the following term: “indie rock.” Did you shudder, rip off your eyes? Then you probably won’t like it. But if you didn’t crawl out of your skin, you’ll love Hummingbird, which collects many of the best things about the genre, and none of the worst, into a stellar collection of somber, yet ultimately triumphant music. It’s earnest, but not self-indulgent; pretty, not precious; metaphoric, not symbolic. It’s nostalgic, but completely of its time, and with its lush harmonies and gliding tempos reminiscent of a Bon Iver or National song, it’s a good indicator of how stellar indie rock can be if done right.
Heartthrob by Tegan & Sara
Smart, sleek radio-ready keyboard pop, mixed with 1980s new-wave to give everything a nice shiny feel, from a murderer’s row of producers who have worked with Paramore, Santigold, Eminem, M83, Kelly Clarkson, etc. “I’m Not Your Hero” ought to be the number one song in the country, and it would be with that beat, except Tegan & Sara’s lyrics actually mean something. That’s what separates them from the rest of the FM crowd.
Colour De Grey by Uptown XO
For more on Uptown XO, check out the Smoking Section.
Feeling Mortal by Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson is 76 years old. He knows he only has so much time left before his Leonard Cohen wish is fulfilled. Hence Feeling Mortal. But instead of feeling sorry for his eventuality, he employs his trademark wit on songs like “Bread on the Brody,” where, with his rusty voice, he sings, “Cause the time that we travel from cradle to grave/Was meant to be spent and not meant to be saved.” Death ain’t going to keep a sh*tkicker like Kristofferson down.
Love Songs by Destiny’s Child
OK, there’s only one new song, “Nuclear,” but any excuse to listen to “Killing Time” is a good one.
