What new releases should you be looking for as we approach summer? Here are some new albums with potential to play through barbeque season:
Gucci Mane, with The State vs. Radric Davis, released a rap CD that’s better than most of the competition out there and, with the exception of Young Jeezy, most of the ‘competition’ is rapping on Gucci’s CD. The raps are in a tongue-in-cheek, laid-back fashion that doesn’t take itself too seriously. I’m too daft to understand the innuendo in a hot-for-the-streets track like “Lemonade,” but I catch myself singing out loud without realizing it, because the chorus track is insanely addicting. “Spotlight” is the club anthem and the one to call out to the DJ. With Usher laying down inspired melody, this is my new “Love in this Club,” guaranteed to start someone’s party for the night.
In an instant last December, I became a convert to the artist tUnE-yArDs, the one-woman singer-songwriter (producer, instrumentalist, everything) wrecking crew. (Her Album BiRd-BrAiNs released on 4AD in Nov. 2009). Waiting to see the Dirty Projectors, I witnessed the crowd jump until the rafters shook when tUnE-yArDs’ performed her song “Hatari.” tUnE-yArDs makes mincemeat of the Girl-Talk world that is so decadent with samples: By using two drums, a tambourine, two guitars and her voice, she records her samples on stage and creates tracks live. Her sound, which is fuzzy with needle-in-the-red recording, recalls the Pixies’ first EP.
tUnE-yArDs doesn’t write throwaway lyrics replaceable by the next artist. Instead, they are deeply revealing, while hinting at nothing in specific. It’s difficult to find an apt comparison—her lyrics feel like unanalyzed confessions of dreams. It could be seen in the same vein as Lennon’s soul-scraping effort in Plastic Ono Band, only with none of the baggage of being famous.
If there’s one group that’s invited to every party this year, my guess is that it’s Vampire Weekend. On their second album, Contra, they seem to have taken a cue from their footloose audiences to make extremely danceable songs, recalling the bounce of Squeeze and XTC. With Paul Simon-like vocals courtesy of lead singer Ezra Koenig, Contra is a surefire way to kick the blues. And, don’t miss Vampire Weekend if they play live this summer; Contra will make for an unforgettable set list.
On Teen Dream, the Baltimore duo Beach House brings another album replete with wondrous songs. Beach House’s haunting melodies recall the Flamingoes’ “I Only Have Eyes for You” and ’90s-2000s Yo La Tengo. Rich, airy production and light, echoey organs contrast with Victoria Legrand’s unrelenting alto paeans to suffering love. Teen Dream, unlike their previous two albums, also features more upbeat tracks like “Norway” that might appeal to fans of the Shins.
If there is a one-man bridge between Gen X and Gen Y, let it be Beck. He continues to elicit curiosity and, for many, enjoyment, with each release. For 2010, Beck has produced a new album for Charlotte Gainsbourg, entitled “IRM.” A French actress and sometime musician (and daughter of French favorite Serge Gainsbourg), Charlotte Gainsbourg whisper-sings just loud enough to match Beck’s soulful orchestration. If you like the direction that Beck has taken since Sea Change, you will enjoy tracks like the ballad “Heaven Can Wait” and rocker “Trick Pony.”