Music of the Moment (October 2016)

For this month’s Music of the Moment, I have a slightly different format than the usual overview of song favorites. Because lately I have been finding myself listening to albums more so than individual songs. And I bought a few albums this past month that are newly released and that I have been enjoying. And this is them.

Two Door Cinema Club – Gameshow
Bon Iver – 22, A Million
Local Natives – Sunlit Youth
James Vincent McMorrow – We Move
The Slow Show – Dream Darling

Too Door Cinema Club – Gameshow

This album is my newest purchase. (And yes, I still buy music, *shock* *horror* I devoted a blog post to it years ago) Unfortunately I can’t say too much about it yet, because I’ve only had a chance to listen to it once all the way through. But what I’m hearing so far I like. Only the lead single and first track on the album is classic TDCC. The rest of the album feels like a completely new sound for the band: still quite easy to listen to, but with a rawer, edgier vibe.

Bon Iver – 22, A Million

If there was one album that receive much buzz before its release it would be the newest Bon Iver. Bon Iver is an artist I’ve loved for years and I was fortunate to see Justin Vernon live once with Bon Iver and once with Volcano Choir, one of his many side projects. This album is definitely pushing the boundaries of what music can do. There is a lot of vocal distortion and I’ve heard many people who dislike that aspect. What I love though is that this album is so well-balanced and intricately orchestrated that all the elements, even the most out there ones, just fall into place.

Local Natives – Sunlit Youth

Local Natives is one band that received quite some interest over the festival summer. I had been finding some of their tracks on my indie playlists and liked what I heard. So when I saw their latest album at my record store, I decided to pick it up. It’s a good blend of folky rock and a hint of pop. This is a very non-offensive album that simply is easy to listen to and a good allrounder.

James Vincent McMorrow – We Move

The most outstanding album in the bunch for me is the latest by James Vincent McMorrow. After being disappointed in his sophomore release, I was hoping this would be better. What the second album lacks in stability and balance between the singer/ songwriter aspects portrayed on his first album, vs the use of electronics, this makes up for triple fold. It is a great blend of more acoustic tracks and electronics and combined with the haunting vocals that McMorrow is great at, this album gives me chills and goosebumps at the same time, but in a good way.

The Slow Show – Dream Darling

The last album I bought is by The Slow Show. I bought their debut album last year and loved it. Think The National, but with a deeper smokier voice and a lot more intricate and dreamy. The second album of this UK based band is just like their first: a good mix of strings, slow building songs and overall quite moody, yet beautiful. I love playing this in the morning when I am getting ready as it just helps me to wake up nice and quietly. Also perfect if you want to emphasize the dreariness of a cold and rainy fall day.

What is your current favorite album?