In No Particular Order: Must-Hear Albums of the Week (Feb 19, 2021)
Check out the three favourite album picks of the week featuring the latest from Psymon Spine, Wild Pink, and Mogwai.
This month is flying by!
Sure, February is the shortest month of the year, but that still doesn’t excuse the fact that it’s more than halfway done. How about that weather, too? Lots of snow.
I’m the king of small talk.
My favourite albums of the week are not small however (although could also make solid talking points depending on who you’re with). From the dance-hungry tunes of Psymon Spine, to the cinematic work of Scottish outfit Mogwai, to the crystal clear folk sounds of Wild Pink, this week’s picks are ready to share their high spirits.
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Psymon Spine – Charismatic Megafauna
Northern Spy
Indie psych-pop/Alternative
7.5/10
Brooklyn-based indie psych-pop group Psymon Spine have boiled down to just the necessities on their sophomore album Charismatic Megafauna. The 10-track effort is a glittery, electrifying dance-driven collection built on vintage tropes of glossy synthesizers, and timeless disco groove. With the goal “to make something that was experimental, but also accessible and satisfying“, Psymon Spine manage to hit the target, with a handful of dance-friendly tunes mixed in with more eccentric pieces to add some variety.
Co-vocalists Sabine Holler and Noah Prebish take turns switching between aesthetics, from Tame Impala-esque opener “Confusion” to pulsing post-punk hit “Channels”, and even hectic, synth-wave track “Solution”, their contrasting vocals add a flourish of ’80s new wave to the mix.
They’re not reinventing the wheel, but they’ve certainly added some glitter, streamers, and a baseball card held on by a clothes pin.
Notable tracks: “Jumprope” // “Channels” // “Solution”
Wild Pink – A Billion Little Lights
Royal Mountain Records
Alternative folk rock
8/10
From the opening moments of A Billion Little Lights, it becomes clear that New York indie act Wild Pink have raised the bar on their lush, alternative-folk rock sound. Now onto their third full-length and sitting comfortably in their 30’s, the trio are exploring the contrasting feeling of being emotionally secure while being overly aware of the uncertainty of life’s raison d’être. Despite being a strange and unnerving topic, the album itself is welcoming and warm-spirited, thanks to the bright guitar arrangements, glowing instrumental detailing, and a modest sense of humour.
10 tracks, all packaged together neatly, melt together as the trio of frontman John Ross, bassist T.C. Brownell and drummer Dan Keegan dip into indie rock, folk, and country like a puddle of Death Cab For Cutie, Bon Iver, andFleet Foxes. Like a realist in a good mood, it’s approachable and honest, and leaves you feeling comfortable with the mystery of life.
Notable tracks: “Bigger Than Christmas” // “Oversharers Anonymous” // “Die Outside”
Mogwai – As The Love Continues
Rock Action / Temporary Residence
Post-rock
8.5/10
Celebrating their 25th anniversary of their debut single today, Scottish post-rock group Mogwai released their tenth studio album As The Love Continues. Music industry veterans for almost three decades, the band have one of the most consistent long-form discographies in modern rock history.
Grandiose, cinematic, moving – just the tip of the iceberg as far as descriptors go for their striking compositions that have ranged from blasting instrumentals to moody film soundtracks. On this latest effort, they’ve squeezed together the intensity and imaginative spirit of film scores with the pulsating, driving strength of live rock music.
The engaging rhythms and melodies streaming from the guitars, synthesizers, and crunching bass lines follow a similar recipe but yield such different results. The degree of intensity and emotion do most of the driving, as the instrumentation and hypnotic melodies follow along.
And like many of its style, As The Love Continues is best enjoyed as one hour long listening experience to properly enjoy the band’s diverse sonic soundscape. While the second half does feel to drag on somewhat compared to the opening songs, there is an undeniable agreement that their music is best enjoyed at a live performance.
Notable tracks: “Ritchie Sacramento” // “Ceiling Granny” // “It’s What I Want To Do, Mom”
