The first challenge of properly absorbing Benjamin Gibbard’s first solo album Former Lives: separating the Death Cab For Cutie and Postal Service versions of Gibbard from the solo one. The new album is more gritty and acoustic than his former beloved gentle indie catalogue, true, but Former Lives needs to be experienced in its own right without any shackles of the past.
The xx’s second album Coexist feels a bit like floating aimlessly through space with no propulsion of energy in any particular direction. While some of the songs manage to maintain a simmering sensuality with Romy Madley Croft’s sweet voice delivering honest lyrics and enough repetition to elicit the feelings through heartfelt laments, most of the songs seem to remain unadorned and flat or build up to only thin air and the feeling that you’ve just barely missed out on the point.
With their self-titled EP, Sparks The Rescue have taken everything that was great about their last album – the catchy lyrics, the progressiveness of their sound, that “get up and dance†attitude – and fused it with their old school style to create an unforgettable seven-track compilation sure to get you off your feet with their first independent release since parting ways with Fearless Records.
For his forthcoming fourth album The Midsummer Station, Owl City’s Adam Young did something he has never done before: he collaborated with co-producers, co-writers, and other artists. The album is a culmination of crisp, finely-tuned vocals, and explosive pop tunes that will delight the moment they hit.
With a pop punk style and a vintage sound, Forever Came Calling take one step further towards the limelight with this album.
Infused with a resurge of energy, touching lyrics, and an obvious wave of newfound inspiration, Southern Air finally gives fans exactly what they’ve been waiting for.
Kansas, the second EP from sunflower state natives The After Party, puts the pop in pop rock. With a toned-down sound, this EP will soothe as well as enthuse its listeners.
With the release of their second full-length, Make Do And Mend have avoided the sophomore slump and come out with an impressive and massive-sounding album. Everything You Ever Loved sees the band expanding their sound while still keeping the heavy emotion always found in their music.
With Every Day I Tell Myself I’m Going To Be A Better Person, Tim Landers of Transit and Brad Wiseman of This Time Next Year have taken their pop punk roots, added a touch of cynicism, and come out with an album that is sure to leave its mark.
Arriving just in time for summer, The Only Place offers effortless listening for those sunny days at the beach and the simple yet relatable lyrics that Best Coast does best.
