The first half of 2016 has been full of interesting projects in the fascinating, ever-evolving world of music. With important returns, stealth releases, innovative combinations of music + another medium of entertainment. Additionally we’ve also been witnesses to different methods of distribution, and segmentation in artists’ spread of their product, both of which can potentially pose a threat to how consumers enjoy music today.
With all of this in mind, and an interesting picture of what it is to come, I have decided to list my favorite music releases in the first half of the year.
Magnetkingmagnetqueen - New Madrid, released on April 29th, 2016.
Magnetkingmagnetqueen is a great example of how the title of a work of art can be as complex and enigmatic as the work of art itself. The newest musical offering from Georgia based-rockers, New Madrid, also shows a special kind of maturation. It offers a mix of bluesy-southern sounds to form spontaneous, enthralling melodies and deeply explored lyrical compositions that make them truly shine in different aspects. With jaunty vocal harmonies and a psych rock sound that can elevate the tonal variances from song to song, this record requires an extensive listen to fully embrace its beauty.
Songs like “36 grams of sugar” and “knots” seem to borrow from that 90s characteristic Pacific Northwest sound while being infused with New Madrid’s secret southern sauce. While others like “Summer Belles” and “Darker Parts” seem influenced by modern indie outfits like My Morning Jacket and Band of Horses.
Track Spotlight: Summer Belles.
Views - Drake, released on April 29th, 2016.
Revisiting an album like this is difficult, simply because both the critical and commercial acclaim it has received feel surreal. However, if there is something Drake is an expert at, is making his music incredibly personal, empathizing and engrossing. For starters, the first track in this production, “Keep the Family Close” is simple, and while it has a decent level of polish, the real show-stealers here are Drake’s delivery and the impact of the lyrics, full of raw emotion.
Not surprisingly, this album seems to have a bit of a linear, but non-bland, narrative. This material is about Drake’s journey and how he can assimilate those experiences in hindsight. The album features a variety of different rhetoric, ranging from a strong diss in “Still Here,” to a verse-fluid origin story in “Weston Road Flows,” to an instant pop classic in “One Dance.”
On a deeper personal level, as a an incredibly “casual” rap fan, this album really made me care more and furthered my interest in understanding rap. Plus if you’ve never danced to “Hotline Bling” or “One Dance” I do not believe in you as a part of society.
Track Spotlight: Feel No Ways.
A Moon Shaped Pool – Radiohead, released on May 8th
To say that I wasn’t anticipating this album since “King of Limbs” released in 2011 would be bogus. After a few social media stunts, one of them including the deletion of the band’s social media presence from the Internet, the triumphant return of the legendary British group is as glorious as anyone could have expected.
As a departure from their previous experimental sound, this album is the culmination of the band’s legacy, and a clear example of this is the orchestral arrangement that adds another dimension of complexity and beauty to the 11 tracks. While Radiohead is no stranger to having a dose of orchestral tones, this album really showcases that element and takes it to the next level in tracks like “Burn the Witch,” which features a percussive effect generated from a different style of playing wind instruments.
There are a couple of surprises for long time fans here, such as definitive tracks of songs that have been in development and existence for years. Songs such as: "True Love Waits" which dates to at least 1995, "Burn the Witch" to 2000, and "Present Tense" to 2008.
Much like other Radiohead albums “A Moon Shaped Pool” discusses love, and forgiveness as its main themes, and it is said to be heavily influenced by Thom Yorke’s recent break up with his long time partner. To accompany this release Radiohead partnered up with several independent filmmakers in order to create small vignettes for their videos that would later be uploaded to the band’s Instagram account.
Track Spotlight: Decks Dark.
Down in Heaven – Twin Peaks, released on May 13th
I usually experience a dilemma when discussing Twin Peak. It is difficult to explain to another person the type of music they produce, but it is incredibly easy to fall in love with their content. It shouldn’t be too hard when the main comparisons they usually draw are a mixture of “Rolling Stones,” “Pixies,” and “The Strokes.”
“Down in Heaven” is a refinement of the garage rock/power pop formula the band has been perfecting in the studio/a garage in Chicago for years now. The addition of keyboards in the form of new band member in Colin Croom, also allows for the inclusion of power ballads such as “Holding Roses” and “Cold Lips.”
Tonally, the album is reflective of the need of an early ripening as a band being that their first album was recorded while they were still in high school. A perfect example of this is the lyrics in “Cold Lips” which show a very childish approach to songwriting, while getting better shows more advanced flashes of adult lyrical compositions.
Track Spotlight: Cold Lips
Honorable Mentions: Future Present Fast by The Strokes, Time Frames by Avindale, Coloring Book by Chance the Rapper, The Ride by Catfish and the Bottlemen.