My, how time flies… Can you believe that 2015 is almost half complete? To mark the occasion, I thought I’d use a couple of ‘Sputnik Discusses’ blogs to reflect on some of the releases that have graced our ears over the past six months. But instead of immediately jumping into a ‘Best Of’ discussion, I thought it would be interesting to share with your SputnikMusic brethren some of your more exclusive finds of 2015. Personally, I find it kind of exciting when I come across musicians who don’t have an artist page on this website. And the last thing you want to do when you come across such musicians is keep them to yoursef. Write a review here and let the world know. Or if you can’t be stuffed writing 700 or so words, then this is where this very discussion comes in handy… Typing the artist and album title below will do just fine.
To throw out some examples, I’m going to list three 2015 releases which, prior to yours truly rating them, had all of one solitary rating between them (Damn you Thuckabe, you ruined it). Now, unsurprisingly (because [a] it’s me, and [b] they’re overlooked), there are some poppier leanings here… But I think you’ll find enough genre variety enclosed within to satisfy your needs.
First up is one Nathan Feuerstein, who goes by the moniker of NF. This 24 year old may remind you of someone… He is a rapper… He’s white… He hails from Michigan… And he’s Christian! Well, he couldn’t be an exact facsimile of Eminem, could he? Unsurprisingly, NF also sounds a fair bit like Marshall Mathers, just without all the violence. Earlier this year, he released his major label debut ‘Mansion’, which is a metaphor for his mind. Tackling a number of issues in authentic, vulnerable & thought-provoking fashion, NF is raw, intense & has an impeccable flow. Furthermore, he has the added advantage of being able to sing his own hooks very well. Take a listen to the album opening ‘Intro’ to get a good indication of what this versatile rapper is about:
Next up is an electro-pop singer-songwriter who deserves to be right up there with the genre’s heavyweights. You may not know the name Bebe Rexha, but you would have heard “her” songs before. She co-wrote ‘The Monster’ for Eminem & Rihanna (the hooky chorus of the song was initially meant for her), as well as being a featured vocalist on worldwide smash hits ‘Hey Mama’ (David Guetta) and ‘Take Me Home’ (Cash Cash). On top of that, the 25 year old Rexha paired up with Pete Wentz (when Fall Out Boy were on hiatus) in the duo Black Cards, Last month, Rexha released her debut EP ‘I Don’t Wanna Grow Up’, which proves that she is more Robyn & Tove Lo, than Kesha & Katy Perry. She even has a bit of Marina & The Diamonds eccentricity about her, as can be seen & heard on ‘I’m Gonna Show You Crazy’:
Finally, a slightly more general band recommendation, as opposed to an album recommendation. For an act that I thought would appeal to many around these parts, River City Extension only have a total of about 50 votes for their 3 albums… And only 1 (the aforementioned Thuckabe) for this year’s ‘Deliverance’. It’s a bit tricky to describe this ensemble, but they tend to sound like a hybrid of Arcade Fire, Manchester Orchestra and The Avett Brothers. Think Americana filtered through an indie-rock aesthetic with some orchestral arrangements thrown in for good measure. Here’s the live Audiotree session of album opener ‘Something’s Gotta Give’:
Like I said earlier, don’t keep these under-appreciated musicians to yourselves. Share away… What is an overlooked album that has already been released in 2015? Now I’m not going to put any ratings limits on what can be suggested, since I don’t want to stifle discussion or recommendations… But I do trust that most of you can determine what constitutes “overlooked” and what does not.
As they say at the end of those dreaded English essays: DISCUSS…..
06.24.15
- Flo Morrissey
- Beautiful Bodies
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DD probably has the "actor" stigma going on, while I thought Boots was a monkey, so great call there that I'm certain will be of interest to a few around here.
LT just had to be first.
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Jacco Gardner - Hynophobia : again a Dutch album. Very catchy psychedelic pop and most importantly: he's from my hometown!
06.24.15
The new Olafur Arnalds (The Chopin Project) has only got 4 votes, which is disappointing and confusing considering how popular he was around these parts a few years back. He's strangely faded away into obscurity lately around here, though I take partial blame since I intended to review the new one a long time ago and just haven't gotten around to polishing it up for submission.
Power Glove released a new EP (EP II) that only has 1 vote (from me) that's a whole lot of fun. Thought he'd be a bit more popular after doing such a stellar job on the Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon ost, but alas.
mind.in.a.box - Memories has 6 votes. Their music is somewhat niche but it's still definitely overlooked around these parts.
06.24.15
There you go LT; you're a trendsetter now.
2 out of 3 ain't bad CTDaddy. I'm really surprised about Olafur Arnalds too. Do you think the fading away is also true in the real world, or just here? Love that band description for Power Glove. Some great suggestions man, and hopefully a few others pick up on them if they fall within their preferred genres.
06.24.15
interesting post hardcore/metalcore album with some classical instruments and the usual rolo tomassi weirdness. Might have to review it and get it some more exposure
06.24.15
Dawes - "All Your Favorite Bands" (which I reviewed)
06.24.15
I'm actually spinning that NF album at the moment and rather enjoying it, thanks for the recommendation!
06.24.15
I actually came across Dawes myself the other week. Despite listing RCE above, I'm not huge on Americana, but the song or two I listened to was ok. Definitely one not to be ignored if you're into that sound.
No problems re NF CTD. Glad you're enjoying it. I'm sure it won't be to everyone's tastes because, you know, Kendrick is cool atm... But it's exactly the kind of hip-hop I like.
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fatgyver - talk to strangers
sarpanitum - blessed be my brothers
vril - portal
jefre cantu-ledesma - a year with 13 moons
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Tenement - Predatory Highlights
Sorority Noise - Joy Departed
06.24.15
I've already been reco'd Sorority Noise a couple of times & heard a few songs. I should give it a listen, but am unsure it will be for me.
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RCE have been to Oz once at least and I bloody missed them. I reckon they'd be great to see live if they had the full smorgasbord of instruments. They would have been an octet when you saw them BroFro? If so, that would have been even more awesome with horns, strings, etc...
06.24.15
Mondo Drag - S/T. Retro-Psychedelic Rock that is surprisingly well executed, albeit a bit generic.
Until the Ribbon Breaks - A Lesson Unlearnt. Electro-Pop with a pretty dark edge. Consistently good.
Jasmine Guffond - Yellow Bell. Ambient, Drone. Grouper meets Tim Hecker. Very atmospheric.
Hanni El Khatib - Moonlight. Garage Rock, Blues Rock. Sounds like the Black Keys back when they we're decent.
06.24.15
CROWN-Natron (sludge metal)
Rorcal-La Femme sans Tete (Sludgy doom)
Green Elder-Green Elder (dark folk)
Critical Era- Species (punk mixed with death metal, the tracks are hit and miss and a lot of people I showed it to hate all of it but I think it's a pretty fun record)
Seven Minute Journey-Occulation by Lunar (atmospheric black metal)
Acylum-Pest (industrial, somewhat aggrotechy)
Joy Shannon and the Beauty Marks-Mo Anam Cara (beatiful celtic folk)
Eldlessshade-Wolf Will Swallow the Sun (death doom)
Lie Cried-If I don't Wake Up (aggrotech)
Exgenesis-Aphoric Veil (melodic death doom)
06.24.15
Highly under rated band, great record.
06.24.15
Basically mixes a bunch of genres effectively, including psychedelia and post-rock, with some stoner metal and reggae elements. One of my favorite albums of the year, I reviewed it as well.
06.24.15
Priest - Priest (80s throwback synthpop) [2 ratings, 4.3 average]
Hollow Sunshine - Bring Gold (dreampop/shoegaze) [1 rating, 4.0]
Rorcal - La Femme sans Tete (doom metal) [9 ratings, 3.6 average]
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JWT; I did consider Lord Huron for the RCE spot in the blog. BUT LH had 20x the ratings. LOL.
Sounds cool BroFro... I'm jealous.
Atari, I actually listened to the new RCR LP for the 1st time earlier this week. I never find their albums especially immediate, so will need to spend more time with it before passing judgment.
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One of my mates is going out with the bassist in a UK pop punk band called WSTR (pronounced Waster) who just got signed to No Sleep Recs, actually found them to be rly fun so if you're into that then check them out
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06.28.15
The Nepalese Temple Ball - Arbor [post-metal/psychedelic]
Outre - Ghost Chants [black metal; awesome vocals]
Sorrow Plagues - An Eternity of Solitude [atmospheric black metal/blackgaze; basically Woods of Desolation]
Vattnet Viskar - Settler [black metal/post-metal]
06.28.15
06.29.15
Not my fave genres ignimbrite & titanslayer, but anyone into metal should definitely take note of those 2 lists above.
Just going through a few others mentioned earlier:
Natalia Lafourcade: Sounds interesting Ed. Any comparisons?
Until the Ribbon Breaks: Very tricky to even get an idea about what they sound like by reading descriptions... which is intriguing me.
Hanni El Khatib: "Sounds like the Black Keys back when they we're decent". Haha. This comment should lure a few people.
Great list GreatQ... I'm intrigued by Priest.
06.29.15
and life cried and acylum aren't really like metal but they are still pretty abrasive so you probably wouldn't care for them
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Cheers
06.29.15
The Armed deliver absolutely crushing waves of sonic fury in a manner equally unhinged and focused, if that's possible. Their pace blisters, their soul slays. "Dead Actress" is a monster of a track.
06.29.15
https://ohrose.bandcamp.com/album/seven
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