My second semester in university being over, I thought this would be a great opportunity to look back at some of the albums that I’ve been listening to those four months. Although most major releases (M.I.A, Arcade Fire) have yet to hit the shelves, 2010 has been an incredible year so far, musically speaking.
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Caribou - Odessa
Without a doubt, Caribou’s Odessa is my biggest music crush of the year. This is one superb example of a coherent record that mixes wisely indie pop and electro. Caribou’s live performance, which I was lucky enough to attend in Ottawa, did not carry the same visionary vibe as the album, but it will undeniably remain as one of the highlights of my summer.
The National - High Violet
I’m seeing The National live on July 31st. After listening a thousand times to their latest record, High Violet, I’m pretty much counting the days before this long-awaited date.
Owen Pallet - Heartland
Formerly known as Final Fantasy, Owen Pallet is the master of strings. Quite frankly, his album Heartland is one of the most beautiful works of orchestral pop I’ve ever heard.
Local Natives - Gorilla Manor
Local Natives is my upbeat alternative to Fleet Foxes. Any band that can provide me with beautiful vocal harmonies deserves my love and praise.
Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Love Record
I know I’ve talked so much about this album, but I simply can’t get over how good it is. This record confirms the old saying, “Everything sounds better when there’s a horn section to back it up.” Or did I just make that up?
Jónsi - Go
Sigur Rós frontman Jónsi’s album Go doesn’t contrast drastically with his band’s previous work, but it does offer more personal of an artistic vision.
Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
In my opinion, Plastic Beach is the band’s most interesting album to date. Incredibly diversified and dynamic, it stands as an exhaustive portrait of the state of music in 2010.
Beach House - Teen Dream
Baltimore duo Beach House is the perfect soundtrack to late-night reading sessions. I’m very much excited to hear them perform the bittersweet songs from Teen Dream at Osheaga Music Festival, in Montreal.
Rufus Wainwright - All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu
Beyond any doubt, my love for Rufus has grown a great deal with this incredible album. His voice blends magnificently with the piano in this emotionally charged work of contemporary pop.
jj - no 3
jj is the definition of cool. Their second LP is one of those albums that you have to listen from the first song to the last. jj’s music so heartfelt and honest it actually hurts.
Vampire Weekend - Contra
No shame - Vampire Weekend is the musical equivalent to fun in the sun.
I’m still hesitant with regards to the new Crystal Castles album. Some of the songs (“Celestica,” “Baptism”) are quite enjoyable, but I feel like the record as a whole lacks some coherence. Worse, there’s not much to dance to. On the contrary, new bands such as Delphic and Two-Door Cinema Club offered this year a collection of automatic dance hits that promise to be immensely popular this summer. I’m also very excited for a full-length album by The Drums. Their EP is a true guilty pleasure, quite similarly to Girls’ Album. I haven’t listened that much to Hot Chip’s One-Life Stand in it’s entirety, but I’m completely hooked to the song “I Feel Better”, most probably because of the amazing video that brilliantly parodies 1990s boy bands. MGMT’s Congratulations is certainly the most controversial music-related topic so far this year. I’m a big fan of “Flash Delirium” and “It’s Working”, but let’s face it: this album is obviously not a masterpiece. Another record I have mixed feelings about is Toro Y Moi’s Causers of This. In my opinion, some of his songs are interesting, but most are mediocre. Therefore, I was very surprised to see how better his music sounded when he opened for Caribou in Ottawa.
Here’s to four busy months, and to a promising summer!
