This coming spring into early summer boasts a number of awesome indie album releases from highly respected acts in better preparation for upcoming music festivals and their own respected tours. Better yet many of these album releases are coming from artists who haven’t put out anything new in a while so the increasing anticipation and begging of fans for new music will finally be satisfied.
April 1: “Everything You’ve Come to Expect,” The Last Shadow Puppets
The Last Shadow Puppets are releasing their second album since their debut album, “The Age of the Understatement,” dropped in April 2008. The album, titled “Everything You’ve Come to Expect,” has already released four tracks: “Aviation;” “Bad Habits;" “Everything You’ve Come to Expect;” and “Miracle Aligner,” all of which have not disappointed. It carries over the sleekly dark and catchy sound that their previous album had.
April 8: “Junk” by M83; “Cleopatra” by The Lumineers
The electronic-synthpop rock band M83 is set to release its seventh studio album, “Junk.” M83 has not released anything since they provided the soundtrack for the movie “Oblivion” back in 2013 and their own album since October 2011. Two singles have surfaced, “Do it, Try it” and “Solitude,” both which put forth a sort of mystical and spacious vibe that can leave you with a feeling of easy suspension. It’s safe to say it’s going to kick ass.
An album I’ve been anticipating since 2012 is “Cleopatra,” the Lumineers' second studio album which comes after a long four years since their Grammy-nominated self-titled effort. Two singles, “Cleopatra” and “Ophelia,” have been released prior to the album's release and that Americana sound of theirs is consistent through. If you haven’t listened to these two tracks, I implore that you do because you’ll replay them over and over again -- but it will make you anxious until the whole album releases.
April 15: “You’ll Pay for This” by Bear Hands
The third studio album from the indie rock band Bear Hands follows their breakout success from their sophomore effort, “Distraction.” They have released the single, “2AM,” which seems to keep the same sound put forth in their previous effort, keeping consistent with the formula that allowed them to climb up the alternative charts.
April 22: “Please be Honest” by Guided by Voices
Indie rock legends Guided by Voices is back again, kind of. Front man Robert Pollard essentially created a solo album, but put the “Guided by Voices” name over it due to Pollard performing ever instrument on the album. The single released, “My Zodiac Companion,” is definitely a GBV sounding tune with its raw and rough sound accompanied with Pollard's melodic vocals, and makes for a great emotional rock track.
April 29: “The Impossible Kid” by Aesop Rock
Aesop Rock is back. Arguably the most underrated rapper no one talks about, Aesop Rock is releasing “The Impossible Kid” four years after the acclaimed “Skelethon” dropped in 2012. If the first single released -- “Rings” -- is any indication on how the rest of the album will be then I suggest pre-ordering it as soon as possible. It’s absolute fire with unbelievable flow and lyrics that make any mainstream rap seem like a joke.
June 3: “Love You to Death” by Tegan and Sara
Let’s not beat around the bush here -- Tegan and Sara are f*@%ing awesome. Even when stepping into the mainstream light they are still able to create jams and songs to listen to on a depressing rainy day. It has been four years (much like other groups on this list) since their most successful album, “Heartthrob,” was released in 2012 with that being their transition to more of an ’80s “pop” sound. Tegan and Sara will continue this sound with “Love You to Death” and have announced that their first single, “boyfriend,” will drop on April 8 after releasing a teaser for the song that seems like it will be a sweet synthpoppin’ sound.
June 10: “Fitz and the Tantrums” by Fitz and the Tantrums; “Breakin’ Point” by Peter Bjorn and John
Fitz and the Tantrum’s self-titled album comes out a couple weeks after colleges and universities close their doors for the spring semester. It is just shy of three years since their highly successful and acclaimed “More than Just a Dream” where it boasted songs “Out of My League” and “The Walker,” both of which procured a number one spot on the U.S. alternative charts and a spot on the U.S. Hot 100. “HandClap” is the first single released from the album and is an absolute banger setting the tone for what will probably be another successful effort.
Peter Bjorn and John are following up their fifth studio album, “Gimme Some,” after five years with “Breakin’ Point.” There have been two singles released; first “What You Talking About?" an upbeat electric banger, and “Breakin’ Point,” a harmoniously uplifting song about growing up. The diversity of these two singles make this album’s release a most intriguing one and definitely one to look forward to.
