2019 Real Music Review
2019. Nice! Almost done with the entire year which is pretty insane. Good thing there were countless fantastic albums to spin through. From the “classics” to the new discoveries, it wasn’t easy to whittle this one down.
Big Thief - U.F.O.F.
It’s astounding to think that Big Thief is just getting better, mainly because Capacity and Masterpiece completely blew me away. The use of storytelling, mesmerizing guitars, and of course, Adrianne Lenker’s voice completely capture this awe-inspiring music. UFOF seems to capture the sense of distance and mystery, hence, the UFO essence of being. This albums is less of a literal storytelling and more of a broad-strokes one. It incompasses the emotion behind the bigger picture versus the day-to-day like Capacity did. The album is haunting with the fantastic use of instruments to build on the storyline. Big Thief is beyond it’s time. They’re so packed full of talent and beauty that you almost have to savor this album or take it in doses. Over time, it grew on me more and more. Get beckoned by this one folks!
Rating: 👻
Du Blonde - Lung Bread for Daddy
If Goya (the artist) could make an album, this would be it. It's beautiful and tragic telling the darker stories but in a more repressed and ostentatious sort of way. Some things you'd rather leave to yourself, Beth Jeans Houghton claws her way out of the depths and carefully bears all. Houghton has a power to her voice with a deeper tenor that grabs you instantly. This paired with riffs and grits, and that classic rock edge to put it all together into a solid album. I loved her unbashful resentment over “dumb, stupid, boys!” It’s not done in a dramatic kind of pout however, more of a self-sabotaging realization. It’s a true heartbreaker on the edge of glory kind of jam.
Rating: 🏩
Field Medic - fade into the dawn
I guess Field Medic has been on my radar, but I never really truly dove into an album until fade into the dawn. The hooker was “henna tattoo.” It’s heartfelt, it’s vulnerable, and it’s a good mash of indie and a pinch of experimentalism but overall, this album would be classified as folk. "mood ring baby" has a sadness to his lyrics and music style that somehow connected me to a feeling of loss and confusion. A pinch of self-loathing and despair. It’s comedic in certain ways when "used 2 be a romantic" writes about people talking through his set, or hoping people buy his merch so he can make rent. Staying at his girlfriends house, making a mess while she’s gone and then cleaning it all up before she gets back—the album has a relatable sense of hopelessness. It feels extremely genuine, and the simplicity in the guitar, and apathetic vocals mixed in with some bright bursts of realism. It’s a fantastic folk album and I’m officially a field medic fan now.
Rating: 🪐
Girlpool - What Chaos is Imaginary
Girlpool is puts all the words that you wish you could say. WCII is such a fantastic album because it builds on their already solid discography and matures them with an addition of new instruments and also a new sound. This album was the first recorded album after Cleo Tucker's transition and his voice gives a noticeable newness to this album that enriches the relationship of vocals between him and Harmony Tividad. It many ways it provides more ownership and dimensionally that pushed this album into a new realm. Songs like “Chemical Freeze” showcases their incredible guitar picking and creative arrangements taking them out of the "dream pop" genre and into more of a "indie rock" realm. This album feels like Tucker and Trinidad really pushed but also considered their hearts. Lyrics on the song "Swamp and Bay" get me every time: "the sunset took all day, it didn't move you." Think about it. Girlpool has a great gift in capturing a lot in a subtle and almost effortless way and this album just ties it all together so well and pushes Girlpool into a whole new ballgame. They’ve been good, but now they have the maturity to back them up.
Rating: 🧚🏻♂️
Oso Oso - Basking in the Glow
I almost wish I didn’t like this album so much just because it brings me to a place in between Deathcab and Yellowcard with maybe a small punch of Tigers Jaw. But it’s still not that either. I suppose it’s always good to have that album that puts you into that early 2000’s punk mode. “Emo-revival” as some lovingly call it and grounded in that state of confusion and enmity. “Basking in the Glow” is a triumphant attempt to become a happier person. To feel the warmth again and to truly enjoy it. It’s a story of missing a loved one but trying to heal from it. The album does begin to seem to repeat itself—the one vein of pop-punk runs all the way through, cover-to-cover. That being said, they’re all solid songs and effectively capture your attention. Bask in the glow of it all, I unabashedly love this.
Rating: 🔆
Orville Peck - Pony
Orville Peck is so important. Write this down folks, this artist is new and not going anywhere. Meaning, you’ll be hearing more from him guaranteed. Country seems to be a place for the homophobic truck owner who loves his women, beers, and The Game. I know I'm generalizing here, but in overall, there was never a space for a queer country artist. Not only that, but an extremely elusive one who always hides his face behind these beautiful custom masks and custom cowboy fits. Orville's voice is sexy and powerful. It bellows and beckons with a sadness and a remorse. Peck is not aligned with the cowboy pop phase that exploded this year, he's far beyond that. Not that he would consider he's above that. I had the privilege to see him live and his humility was so refreshing. It gave me an even greater respect for this talented and inspiring artist. This album is a self-produced gold mine and I'm looking forward to the next.
Rating: 🤠
(Sandy) Alex G - House of Sugar
It’s difficult to describe why Sandy Alex G is one of my favorite artists. Perhaps it’s his profound song writing, his creativity in composition and production, or just someone who makes you feel welcomed when you listen. Rocket was one of my favorite albums of 2017 so I had high hopes for House of Sugar. When the EP’s were rolling out, "Gretel," "Hope," etc. based on how fantastic they were, I already knew House of Sugar was going to be a solid option. House of Sugar unlike Rocket, felt more in line with his previous works, Beach Music, or Trick. There were a few anomalies in Rocket like "Bobby" or "Brick" that pushed his style into newer realms. House of Sugar overall feels more mature than his previous. It’s extremely well produced and the lyrics are fantastic. It puts me in mood swings of loving, to sick-to-my-stomach, or just bummed. For a first time listener, it’s fair to compare Sandy to Elliot Smith, though Sandy seems to be on an entirely other level when it comes to his creativity and brilliance. I had the opportunity to see him live for his House of Sugar tour and it only solidified my respect for him as he casually leaned into his set. From the softer lulls of "Sportstar" to the expositive of "Brick" Sandy Alex G is a talent that has earned my utmost respect.
Rating: 🐸
The National - I am Easy to Find
This is a special National album because, lady singers! I really enjoyed how most songs were accompanied, and instead of it being a competition, it all felt very balanced and Berninger only was elevated in the process. I mean, Sharon Van Etten is on here, and she’s a force to be reckoned with! The National is a standout because of its longevity and persistence. New realms seemed to have been explored with their last album, Sleep Well Beast (electronic-ish) and now I am Easy to Find. It’s not a complete departure from the classics, but it’s a good push into a more artistic exploration of possibilities. This album feels less self-gratifying lyrically. Complexity, love, and insecurities, (typical National themes) persist but there’s a warmer tone to it all. The addition of percussion and new vocalists round out the album nicely instead of overdoing it. It’s a piece to come back to, and sits nicely along their discography. It doesn’t hurt that their album art is gorgeous too.
Rating: 👀
Fontaines DC - Dogrel
Sometimes you get a really perfect curveball. Traveling this past Autumn, I someone who recommended this band and described them as “Irish punk.” Well I was instantly intrigued. Fortunately it was exactly that, but has this British punk grit that reminded me of the 80’s and 90’s stuff I used to listen too. Even if Parquet Courts had their own project that omitted more of their instruments and focused more heavily on guitar. Essentially, this album makes me want to go move to the UK to understand better what the song “Boys of the Better Land” or “Liberty Belle” might mean. I want to experience the “ready, steady, violence” they write about. The opening lyric for the first track Big is “Dublin in the rain is mine.” This theme of ownership of Ireland, even in bad times (rain) is prevalent throughout the album. It’s clear, Ireland is not idealized, but still home. I loved this album because of the high energy it brings, but also the fantastic lyricism. It feels like I’m getting a smaller dose of modern UK history especially with the current turmoil given Brexit etc. This is by no means a call for anarchy, but a call for attention. It’s somber and angry, but still rational. It’s a jilted love story for their confused Ireland. A post-punk ballad that never stops.
Rating: 🍀
Slaughter Beach, Dog
Oh yeah, I get it. Modern Baseball cuties. Well you're in luck because this one hit differently. To be perfectly honest, the name of this band put me off to them initially but after seeing the new release, I finally gave it a spin. I think this album is brilliant. The stream of consciousness and self-exploration is effervescent. It hit me in such a way that I was inspired to begin writing again. At times, the lyrics are conversational and drift off. Others have a careful storyline and really piece together a beautiful image. "Black Oak" gave me chills the first time I listened, and I only can hope that it continues to. Overall, this album is awash in a sense of sadness that's hard to describe. It feels warm at times, but also hollow. I really cherish how well it's crafted and considered, and I look forward to more from you, Slaughter Beach, Dog.