Lykke Li is no stranger to heartache. Her debut album, “Youth Novels,” and its successor, “Wounded Rhymes,” have each had their share of the blues, and Li proceeds to sing the same tune with her new album, “I Never Learn.” She describes it as the third part of a trilogy chronicling the life of a woman in her 20s,...
Before listening to “Nikki Nack,” Merrill Garbus’ third full-length album under tUnE-yArDs, I had listened very little to the music project before. I had them recommended to me, but for whatever reason neglected to give them too much time — maybe it was the junior-high-Myspace-esque capitalization techniques employed in the writing of their name. And after one listen to...
Young Magic has always been a hybrid group, able to mix electronic and pop with global elements. The group is comprised of Isaac Emmanuel and Michael Italia, who both come from diverse backgrounds. Emmanuel, a native Australian, and Italia, who has Indonesian roots, spent time exploring abroad before forming the group, and ultimately made this album while touring four...
Damon Albarn may just be the hardest-working man in show biz. He was the frontman of popular '90s alternative rock band Blur, the vocalist and main songwriter of experimental-electro band Gorillaz and collaborated with other artists on various musical projects. The man has even composed an opera. I mean, is there anything he can’t do? There seemed to be...
Initially, I expected that a two-man band originating from Stockholm would not fail to provide a unique and interesting sound that differed from normal alternative and indie rock bands. Unfortunately, with the release of Johnossi’s latest album, “Transitions,” my expectations were not met. Instead, the rock duo from Sweden provides a somewhat bland release that fails to hit any...
If you have listened to the radio anytime in the past month, then Iggy Azalea should be a familiar name to you. The 23-year-old Australian rapper and rising pop sensation has become a staple on top 40 playlists with her catchy Charli XCX-assisted single, “Fancy.” With one successful single under her belt, Azalea is looking to ascend the ranks...
Within a rough timespan of a year, beginning mid-1993 and ending mid-1994, hip-hop presented some of the greatest and most influential albums within the genre. Wu-Tang Clan had “Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers,” A Tribe Called Quest had “Midnight Marauders” and the legendary Notorious B.I.G. debuted with “Ready to Die.” Amongst these and other landmark releases, a dream influx...
Still going strong in their now 33-year-long career, Shonen Knife released “Overdrive” earlier this month. Formed in Osaka, this three-part group has a sound that has consistently been associated with pop-punk and alternative rock. Although current members Naoko Yamano, Ritsuko Taneda and Emi Morimoto are all natives of Japan, “Overdrive” is one of many albums that are produced in...
Hip-hop is far from dead. But if you prefer underground music because mainstream artists are tainting the genre, you may have heard of Chuck Inglish. His newly released album, “Convertibles,” distinguishes the rapper from other underground names by exploring abstract sounds not usually associated with hip-hop, and includes talented up-and-coming artists like Vic Mensa and Chance the Rapper. It’s...
Cloud Nothings has come a long way since its inception in 2009. What started off as a solo project by lead vocalist and guitarist Dylan Baldi has turned into a full-fledged alt-rock powerhouse. After years of experimenting with lo-fi and garage elements on multiple albums and EPs, Cloud Nothings came into their own sound with 2012’s “Attack On Memory,”...