May was a Superb Month for Music as Parquet Courts among others showcase excellence
5. Chvrches – ‘Love Is Dead’
Since their debut album release (The Bones of What You Believe) back in 2011, Chvrhes have made themselves a band to keep an eye out for. Unfortunately their third release didn’t hit the heights of their debut, but it’s completely packed out with larger than life synth-pop tracks. Lauren Mayberry’s voice continues to be a perfect contrast for the bands sound, which can be heard at various different points in the album.
Top 3 Tracks : ‘Graffiti’ , ‘Miracle’ and ‘Wonderland’
4. PEACE – ‘Kindness is the New Rock and Roll’
Seeing Peace grow since their debut EP release Delicious it has been a very beautiful blooming into the band they are today. Their third album ‘Kindness is the New Rock and Roll’ was an interesting release for the band, as it seem to have more personal values at the heart of it, which can be heard on the track ‘From Under Liquid Glass’ making it the band’s most heartfelt release yet. You can also see evidence of Harrison Kossier taking huge strides in his songwriting and vocal performances, which is a welcome development. The band stepped slightly away from the sun kissed guitars and bouncy melodies for this one, as they prove their a multi-dimensional band.
Top 3 Tracks : ‘From Under Liquid Glass’ , ‘You Don’t Walk Away From Love’ and ‘Shotgun Hallelujah’
3. Courtney Barnett – ‘Tell Me How You Really Feel’
After a very well received debut album, Courtney really did have a lot of people building up the expectation for this release. Barnett really delivered with this album, the loud guitars combined with the complete raucous vocals helped it inhibit a very raw and real vibe. From the amazingly catchy ‘Nameless Faceless’ where she takes on internet trolls to ‘City Looks Pretty’ which delves into how weird life can really be at times. This release really fills me with anticipation for her next release, as it seems she has a knack of releasing high class albums. Full Album Review Here.
Top 3 Tracks : ‘Nameless Faceless’ , ‘Sunday Roast’ and ‘City Looks Pretty’
2. Arctic Monkeys – ‘Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino’
This was the Monkey’s sixth album release, and it caught a lot of attention due to the polar opposite opinions it drew from the bands core fan base. Some admired and enjoyed the release, some admired and disliked the release and some just flat out hated it. For me the album was a great turn for the Arctic Monkeys, one which saw them delve into the grounds that Bowie wasn’t too unfamiliar with. The album was filled with sleek, crooning tunes which just invited you into listen. Of course some people still yearn for the days when Turner would sing about waiting a bus stops and going out to town, but the fact is his influences have changed, and he’s leading a much different life now which will bleed into his music. All in all I’m glad the band were bold enough to take on something new, and they made it work in my eyes.
Top 3 Tracks : ‘Four Stars out of Five’ , ‘One Point Perspective’ and ‘She Looks Like Fun’
1- Parquet Courts – ‘Wide Awake’
Parquet Courts really made an exquisite album with ‘Wide Awake’. The band managed to stick to their lo-fi punk roots, however they developed it slightly which can be heard in the title track with the uses of the whistles, bongos and some other interesting elements. The album has such a great flow, with it slowing down every now and then for you to catch your breath which is needed after a song like ‘Normalization’. This really has all the components to be an album of the Year contender, and I’m sure at the end it will be in the conversation. Full album review here.
Top 3 Tracks : ‘Wide Awake’ , ‘Normalization’ and ‘Almost Had to Start a Fight/In and Out of Patience’
Thats the list for May 2018, did I miss anybody?
- Words by Alex Wise @AJWise
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