It’s list season again, whether you like it or not. 6 months into 2010, and we’ve had a pretty fine year thus far - lots of exciting new acts and great music being churned out by old reliable.
There’s been many fantastic releases – Caribou, Beach House, Holy Fuck and Errors have all been on heavy rotation since their release, while others have been slow burners, creeping into my consciousness and sounding more amazing with every listen… (Liars, Future Islands and Joanna Newsom).
I’ve been pretty disappointed with certain indie staples like The National and Broken Social Scene, despite the acclaim it just feels a bit like they’ve been rehashing the same elements year in year out and I’m just not excited by their latest albums.
It’s not that the songs are bad; they’re fine – but I feel like I’ve heard them so many times before and delivered with more enthusiasm in the past.
I’m not sure if it’s because these bands are getting lazier or if I’m getting more expectant as a fan – I want to be as captivated as I was the first time around and it just isn’t happening for me.
On the other hand, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by some acts like Laura Marling and Foals who’ve expanding on their previous accomplishments with new ingredients and in doing so created something that’s as ballsy as it is enjoyable.
Personal Favourites
- Emeralds – Does It Look Like I’m Here?
- Liars – Sisterworld
- Tame Impala – Innerspeaker
- Caribou – Swim
- Laura Marling – I Speak Because I Can
- Nice Nice – Extra Wow
- Holy Fuck – Latin
- Mugstar – Sun, Broken
- Errors – Come Down With Me
- Factory Floor – Lying EP
- Beach House – Teen Dream
- Mi Ami – Lose Your Face
- Future Islands – In Evening Air
- The Redneck Manifesto – Friendship
- Rangda – False Flag
- Joanna Newsom – Have One On Me
- Girls Names – You Should Know By Now EP
- Foals – Total Life Forever
- Delorean – Subiza
- Zola Jesus – Stridulum EP
I’m sure I’ll have plenty to add to this over the next 6 months – the likes of Mount Kimbie and R.S.A.G. are becoming firm favourites at the moment. And for some reason I still haven’t gotten my hands on Flying Lotus’ Cosmogramma.
