New Albums for Summer
Tired of listening to the radio and hearing the same Top 40 songs played over and over? Need some new tunes for long road trips or afternoons spent poolside? We’ve created a list of some recently released independent albums we’re currently spinning that we can’t get enough of. Hopefully at least one of these strikes your fancy.
1:: The Head & The Heart The Head & The Heart. This Seattle-based, indie-folk band’s debut album on Sub Pop Records is flawless from start to finish and is incredibly catchy. You’ll be singing along by the second listen, we promise.
2:: Austra Feel It Break. Austra is a new Canadian band that plays dark, synth-rock dance tunes set to singer Katie Stelmanis’s stunning voice. Katie was trained to be an opera singer and did that for years until she saw a punk rock show and joined a band. Feel It Break is the band’s critically acclaimed debut album, and is worth a listen if only to hear Katie’s unique and beautiful vocals.
3:: Dum Dum Girls He Gets Me High EP. This EP is the follow up to the Girls’ debut album I Will Be. The four songs on the EP are beautiful and showcase singer Dee Dee’s gorgeous voice. The band’s lo-fi sound is cleaned up on these recordings and includes a cover of The Smith’s song “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out.” Look for the Dum Dum Girls sophomore full-length album out September 27 on Sub Pop.
4:: Bon Iver Bon Iver. One of the most anticipated indie albums of the year is the return of Bon Iver. For Emma Forever Ago stunned listeners in 2008 with singer Justin Vernon’s soft, heartfelt unique voice and beautifully written songs. Fans had been waiting years for another release, and the self-titled sophomore album is sure to leave fans happy for at least another three years.
5:: The Submarines Love Notes Letter Bombs. The Submarines are an indie-pop band from Los Angeles consisting of husband and wife John Dragonetti and Blake Hazard. Love Notes Letter Bombs is the band’s third album and by far our favorite. The Submarines write fun, upbeat pop songs about love and breakup set to incredibly catchy hooks and sing-along choruses.
6:: Cults Cults. Cults were a mystery for the longest time. They released a few singles months ago, but were basically untraceable on the Internet since they didn’t have a Web site or a way to search their name in Google. Finally they’re front and center and ready to tour and make themselves a household name. Their debut album is catchy and danceable; listen to “Abducted” and “Go Outside.”
7:: Fleet Foxes Helplessness Blues. The extremely anticipated follow-up album to the band’s perfect debut, self-titled album did not disappoint in the least. It was definitely worth all the hype, and is just a beautiful and gentle as the band’s other releases. Folk rock has never sounded sweeter.
Posted by: Spencer