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Lemonade reminds me a lot of Delorean. And that is a good thing. Check out their dance-y pop-y track entitled “Softkiss” below.
Is 2012 the year of Diplo? If “Get Free”, “Climax”, and “Express Yourself” weren’t enough, check out “Set It Off” above. His Express Yourself EP drops June 12th.
New version of “Vanessa” from Grimes.
As with any sophomore album it is impossible to refrain from comparisons to the debut. Such is the case with The Only Place, the second album of California trio Best Coast. Lead lady Bethany Consentino is potentially my all time favorite babe. She is just hanging out, smoking weed, soaking up some SoCal rays, and making beachy pop songs. Regardless of the music that she produces, she will never not be good. She’s just having fun and if you’re listening, so are you. Best Coast is simple and straightforward. When I saw them in concert back in February of 2011, the trio breezed through their set. No song lasted longer than two minutes and appeared effortless. On Crazy for You, Consentino was her signature angsty, rebellious twenty something self, crooning about stupid boys, cats, and getting high. While the debut was somewhat reckless, The Only Place is far more calculated. And because of this, it initially comes off as less fun and drearier. But it is clear that Consentino has put much more thought into The Only Place. While Crazy for You featured stompy energetic songs, The Only Place is more reflective and mature. Consentino’s definitely still hung up on some stupid boy (or at least on heartache), but she’s had a few years and burrowed deeper into her thoughts. This results in songs that are more complex. For the first time we hear vocal harmonies, strings(?), and slower tempos. And Consentino’s voice is better than ever. The country influences of the likes of Skeeter Davis and Loretta Lynn are obvious, and her voice is well suited to that style. The melodies are clear and soaring in a way we haven’t heard before. This is most evident on songs like “How They Want Me To Be” and “Do You Love Me Like You Used To.” Perhaps the album comes off as more polished because Jon Brion produced it. And he is a man that knows how to make music sound clean and smooth. Regardless, it’s clear that The Only Place is less of a spontaneous musical jaunt and more of a well thought out sophomore effort. But ultimately, The Only Place is more of the same. It just lacks the energy and newness of Crazy for You. For the fans that fell in love with Best Coast because of gems like “Boyfriend” and “Crazy for You,” The Only Place might be a bit of a disappointment. It is definitely less catchy and occasionally drags. But it truly showcases Consentino’s voice in the slower, country-inspired ballads. The final track, “Up All Night” exemplifies this perfectly. Here Consentino’s emotions are more raw, heartfelt, and desperate. And it suits her. So while Best Coast has grown up and tried a slightly different flavor, The Only Place fails to be anything more than a reinterpretation of Crazy For You. Consentino is still hung up on some boy, still sad, but now a little bit more country.
Listen to this great demo from Steezy Ray Vibes, out of Oakland. Perfect for the depth of night.
Best Coast’s The Only Place drops May 15th, in just about two weeks. Read this great premature evaluation and get excited.
New video for Nicki Minaj’s “Starships.” I’m not digging the song, but the video I could get into.
Finally, finally, finally.
A new release from Purity Ring. This one is called Obedear and is from their forthcoming album entitled Shrines, to be released on July 24th.
Just stumbled upon this great article about perhaps my favorite band. Check out Chris DeLine’s history and evaluation of Braids above.
A new great, vibing, floating track from Beach House, the third in recent weeks. Bloom will be released on May 15th.
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