Shout Out Louds / Vampire Weekend / Laura Veirs • Album Reviews
Quick catch up on some recent releases...
SHOUT OUT LOUDS - WORK
Swedish Stockholm sensations the Shout Out Louds get to work releasing their third full length studio recording. Shifting the tempo down a gear has made Work a slightly more relaxed affair than their debut album Howl Howl Gaff Gaff and is more in keeping with the style they went for on their sophomore album Our Ill Wills.
Although Work is short on rocking anthems, it compensates with punching drums and growing grooves entwined with beautiful string arrangements. Definitely a strong stand alone album which grows with every listen.
Download MP3 ♫ Shout Out Louds - Moon
VAMPIRE WEEKEND - CONTRA
In my opinion, popular chic New Yorkers Vampire Weekend are overhyped. Their unique brand of indie surf rock was refreshing on their debut Vampire Weekend, but has become slightly more annoying on their follow-up Contra. Saying that, a couple of songs set themselves apart by being less "in your face" and less "trying hard to be alternative", namely 'Taxi Cab'.
Overall, it deserves a listen. You'll either love it like the majority of hipster kids, or stick with more genuine conterparts such as band Ra Ra Riot.
Download MP3 ♫ Vampire Weekend - Taxi Cab
LAURA VEIRS - JULY FLAME
Backtracking to her roots with more of a gentle country folk feel, Laura Veirs' July Flame - a collection of mostly downtempo tracks - is layered with delicate guitar parts, fragile harmonies and soothing string arrangements. It's an accessible album which would be perfect for listening to whilst soaking up the sun on a grassy meadow, and may have been a more appropriate release in the height of summer, instead of wintery January.
July Flame however, is stripped of radio worthy catchy pop/rock she included on previous releases Year Of Meteors and Saltbreakers.
Simple and quality relaxing folk music, but possibly not the strongest album in her discography.
Download MP3 ♫ Laura Veirs - Wide-Eyed, Legless
SHOUT OUT LOUDS - WORK
Swedish Stockholm sensations the Shout Out Louds get to work releasing their third full length studio recording. Shifting the tempo down a gear has made Work a slightly more relaxed affair than their debut album Howl Howl Gaff Gaff and is more in keeping with the style they went for on their sophomore album Our Ill Wills.
Although Work is short on rocking anthems, it compensates with punching drums and growing grooves entwined with beautiful string arrangements. Definitely a strong stand alone album which grows with every listen.
Download MP3 ♫ Shout Out Louds - Moon
VAMPIRE WEEKEND - CONTRA
In my opinion, popular chic New Yorkers Vampire Weekend are overhyped. Their unique brand of indie surf rock was refreshing on their debut Vampire Weekend, but has become slightly more annoying on their follow-up Contra. Saying that, a couple of songs set themselves apart by being less "in your face" and less "trying hard to be alternative", namely 'Taxi Cab'.
Overall, it deserves a listen. You'll either love it like the majority of hipster kids, or stick with more genuine conterparts such as band Ra Ra Riot.
Download MP3 ♫ Vampire Weekend - Taxi Cab
LAURA VEIRS - JULY FLAME
Backtracking to her roots with more of a gentle country folk feel, Laura Veirs' July Flame - a collection of mostly downtempo tracks - is layered with delicate guitar parts, fragile harmonies and soothing string arrangements. It's an accessible album which would be perfect for listening to whilst soaking up the sun on a grassy meadow, and may have been a more appropriate release in the height of summer, instead of wintery January.
July Flame however, is stripped of radio worthy catchy pop/rock she included on previous releases Year Of Meteors and Saltbreakers.
Simple and quality relaxing folk music, but possibly not the strongest album in her discography.
Download MP3 ♫ Laura Veirs - Wide-Eyed, Legless