Laura Marling
A Creature I Don’t Know
Virgin
British singer-songwriter Laura Marling’s third offering of her remarkable vocals comes to us in the form of her latest album, A Creature I Don’t Know. True to her signature indie-folk style, Marling’s calming voice is perfect for a lazy summer afternoon, book in one hand, coffee in the other. In what she calls ‘optimistic realism’, she adds a layer of ‘contemporary’ to the age-old genre of folk music. A refreshing change from the usual tunes on the radio, Marling’s album is definitely something you could drive to. When you block out the traffic, the magic in her voice takes you someplace else. – Vanessa Manivannen
Dev
The Night the Sun Came Up
Universal Republic
I’m a big believer that you can judge a CD by its cover, but this is an exception, I was expecting something indie, jazz infused. When I put the CD in and was greeted by Dev’s electro dub-step beats, I took the CD out again to double check it was the right one. File this one alongside Ke$ha and Nicki Minaj. This whole album is a dance along, sing-a-long party from start to finish. Standout tracks include Bass Down Low, Breathe and Kiss My Lips. The folk tinged closing track Shadows is remarkably different to the rest of the collection and quite sweet. – Graeme Watson
Barn Owl
Lost in the Glare
Trill Jockey
This is the second album from San Francisco duo Barn Owl, their music is a mesh of organs, guitars and manipulated tapes. Completely instrumental, this hypnotic nine track collection opens with dark, foreboding and sinister sounds on Pale Star, Turiya and The Darkest Night since 1693 before lightening up with some slightly country guitar on Temple of the Winds and Midnight Tide. The closing track Opening Night Sky is an epic 10 minutes of distorted sounds. This is a soundtrack for a dark desert highway, put it on and let it fade into the background. – Graeme Watson
Tori Amos
Night of Hunters
Sword & Stone / Universal
Night of Hunters is an epic song cycle that sees Tori Amos set forth on adventure with shape-shifting ingénue Annabelle, who is Amos’ actual daughter. Together they lope through the Irish night in search of Him, a he who ‘gets his power from tide and wave’ while ‘grains of sand’ and Amos’ domain. The poetic juxtaposition is beautifully maintained throughout as Amos borrows technicalities from Chopin, Bach, Debussy and others. Opening track Shattering Sea is incredible, matched in might by closer and lead single Carry. Repeat listens are essential to comprehend the eloquent complexity. – Scott-Patrick Mitchell
Ball Park Music
Happiness and Surrounding Suburbs
EMI
‘I f*ckin’ love you, I think you’re pretty…’ what a classic chorus, it’s brilliant. Ball Park Music has produced a great sit-through record, Happiness and Surrounding Suburbs, with enough contrast spread throughout the record to entertain even the worst of song-skippers (me included). This alternative pop rock album is all catchy instrumentals and dry, dry humour that makes you chuckle like a child who hears an obscenity. Ball Park Music joins the list of good Brisbane bands like Yves Klein Blue that are churning out some cracking good stuff. – Benn Dorrington
Dolly Parton
Better Day
Dolly Records
Can you believe this is Dolly’s 41st album? No, me either! I love the way her music effortlessly transports you to Midwest America, wearing your best flannel shirt at a good ol’ fashion barn dance. After 54 years of making music she still manages to stay true to her genre and make music that’s infectiously uplifting. Better Day, the title track does just that with its feel good lyrics that make you smile. This toe tappin’ album would be perfect for long drives. Now, someone get me some boots and a tambourine! – Ollie Pincott
The Drums
Portamento
Universal
The Drums new album Portamento is my soundtrack and it should be yours, even if summer is a couple of months away. This record is full of surfer rock – vocals that drone with antipathy and boppy, repetitive chords. Portamento doesn’t have the same buzz that the Brooklyn band had with their first EP and album – a success largely due to their stand-out track, Let’s Go Surfing. But it’s a solid follow up album, earmarked with lead singer Jonathon Pierce’s slightly-moaning vocals, reminiscent of Morrissey. Portamento is highly recommended for people who still get kicks from the Smiths.– Benn Dorrington
Sneaky Sound System
From Here to Anywhere
Modular
You’ve probably heard We Love on the radio countless numbers of times and more likely than not, it’s got you bobbing in your seat to the powerhouse beats of Sneaky Sound System. Their latest album, From Here to Anywhere, promises to keep you moving without going over the top pounding beats that’d only give you a migraine. The Sydney-based duo offers a beautiful balance between laid back and upbeat tunes. Their third offering of the ‘Sneaky story’ was written over three years in hotel rooms between tour dates and their reputation for producing chart topping dance tunes has left everyone excited for more of their unique sound.– Vanessa Manivannen
Neon Indian
Era Extraña
Pop Frenzy
Nearly two years after he first made his mark, Alan Palomo is back with more of this newborn genre. His music has taken on a rather ‘chip tunes’- meets- grunge- meets- electropop kind of style. Written while he was locked away in solitude, Palomo says ‘Era Extraña was ice sculpted from synth-scapes and scribbled journal entries’. Neon Indian’s music sounds like a mash-up of many great bands so not surprisingly, it’s turned out to be pretty great and quite a pleasant album to be listening to when you’re having pre-drinks or whatever it is people do nowadays on Friday nights. – Vanessa Manivannen
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