Feature: Anticipated Spring LPs 2014
We take a look at some of our most highly-anticipated LP releases this spring.
Everyone's always banging on about how disposable music is these days and how little emphasis is placed on full-length releases. Well we're about to place some emphasis on some of the upcoming LPs set for release this spring - give or take. So how about everyone gives it a rest and rather than going searching for new music, we'll bring a large chunk to you instead.
These chosen releases aren't necessarily what we expect to be outstanding, they're just things that may, or may not do it for you. We're not going to assume this is a list of bands you will have definitely came across before, but if you don't know who The Black Keys are, then you're definitely struggling. Having said that, we'll help you along the way, without acting like massive dickheads, presuming everyone who reads the site is in some way, shape or form, industry related or an anorak of new music.
And the list goes, in no particular order:
Avey Tare's Slasher Flicks - Enter The Slasher House (Domino: April 7th)
We've already streamed the full Enter The Slasher House album - here - and presuming you don't already know, Avey Tare is a member of Animal Collective and has formed Slasher Flicks with ex Dirty Projectors and Dan Deacon members. They're eccentric psych-pop of the cosmic kind.
The Black Keys - Turn Blue (Nonesuch Records/Warner Music Group: May 13th)
Lets just get this one out the way. If you're a Black Keys fan, they have a new album out and will no doubt feature a few tracks from upcoming adverts, but in comparison to some of their earlier efforts (Rubber Factory) it will be decidedly meagre. If you haven't heard The Black Keys, they're soft-rock - formerly gritty, blues-rock.
Rush Midnight - Self-Titled LP (Last Gang Records: May 27th)
Curve ball time. Rush Midnight is Russ Manning, former Twin Shadow bassist and if that means jack shit to you, he makes a kind of progression on the whole Drive Soundtrack - only with added disco elements. It's a breath of fresh air.
Woods - With Light And With Love (Woodsist: April 15th)
Woods are a Brooklyn folk/psych band basically meaning they have a bit more about them than your typical Mumford & Sons rip off. They've had about as many albums as The Black keys now, but are still managing to churn out classics. From what we've heard so far, this latest release will be special.
SOHN - Tremors (4AD: April 7th)
Like Enter The Slasher House, SOHN's Tremors is out now, that's about the only comparison though. It's always an advantage being signed to such a label as 4AD - their track record is second to none and I'm drifting off subject. For us, SOHN brings together a lot of elements that we hadn't really seen with electronic music and that's probably why he's so easy to digest. If you like seriously smooth, yet funky electronic music SOHN's your man.
Parquet Courts - Sunbathing Animal (Rough Trade: June 2nd)
If you're a punk/post-punk fan and you haven't heard of Parquet Courts yet, we've probably made your year. The New York via Texas band released debut LP Light Up Gold, back in 2012, to pretty much massive acclaim. We don't expect anything different from Sunbathing Animal.
Lykke Li - I Never Learn (LL Recordings/Warner Music Group: May 5th)
It's always a bit of a media storm when Lykke Li releases new material and the build up to I Never Learn - what Li considers the third release of a trilogy of albums - has been no different. If you haven't discovered Lykke Li yet, I'd be very surprised - but if you're that person, she's a classy example of pop music, and if you're picky, she's a swedish, singer-songwriter.
The Horrors - Luminous (XL Recordings: May 5th)
The Horrors will attempt a follow-up to 2011's Skying on May 5th. Not an easy task by any stretch of the imagination, but from their first two tracks, it's going to be an interesting one. Their typically downbeat, doomy, psychedelic days might now be over, in exchange for a more positive outlook highlighted by their choice of album title.
Craft Spells - Nausea (Captured Tracks: June 10th)
Back after a few years out, Crafts Spells are the blood sweat and tears of Justin Vallesteros and they have a melancholic but sometimes upbeat take of dream-pop. Latest track "Breaking The Angle Against The Tide" shows the bands progression into a more mature sound, incorporating strings to nearing perfection.
Pixies - Indie Cindy (Pixiesmusic/PIAS: April 28th)
Kim Deal left and the band have been trying to pick up the pieces ever since. With a few member changes they finally seem settled, ready for the release of Indie Cindy. Although the release will be the amalgamation of their previous EP1, 2 and 3 - some better received than others - this is the Pixies and it will be worth a punt.
La Sera - Hour Of The Dawn (Hardly Art: May 13th)
Following the demise of much celebrated Vivian Girls; Katy Goodman has gone all guns blazing into her La Sera project. La Sera will release their third effort on May 13th - expect a slightly more driven and aggressive album than previous efforts, as they merge Cali surf rock with power-pop. If you like Mikal Cronin, you'll like La Sera.
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