Top Recent Album Discoveries (May 2011)

The decision which albums to include in this round-up was more difficult than usual, a reflection on the quality of indie albums over the last two months. The majority of this list are recent releases, but there are a few older ones which have only just come to my attention. Incidentally, my core listening has included Awolnation Megalithic Symphony, Arcade Fire The Suburbs and The National High Violet, all mentioned previously.

Top Picks:

• iko Ludo Says Hi
• Civil Wars Barton Hollow
• The Jezabels Dark Storm
• Lyyke Li Wounded Rhymes
• Middle East I Want that you are always Happy
• My Morning Jacket Circuital
• Other Lives tamer animals

Agnes Obel Philharmonics is a gentle, subtle and often classical in its mood, with the Danish Agnes' light, haunting voice accompanied by piano and cello. I find it beautiful and atmospheric; some would call it sparse, and most of the songs are slow, but there is an underlying warmth and humanity.
8/10

Boxer Rebellion The Cold Still has had mixed reviews, some comparing it (unfavourably of course) to Radiohead. I'm seeing them live soon and hopefully after that will have the confidence to disagree with the detractors. I hear influences of The National in their moody, atmospheric sound, and whilst they are not groundbreaking, I like the layered sounds and reflective melancholy. Organ Song is a good place to start.
7/10

Boy and Bear with Emperor Antarctica is reminiscent of Fleet Foxes, despite being Australian, and is inspiring and upbeat, with great vocal harmonies and a mixture of acoustic and electronic instrumentation. I'm looking forward to seeing how this recently formed band develops.
7/10

Brian Wright House on Fire could be categorised as 'Americana': there's are strong blues and folk influences, but it's Brian's voice and story telling which makes this album stand out. It feels honest, and authentic, and all the instruments on the album are played by Brian himself. The album's varied, but the spare, touching Maria Sugarcane is one of my favourites.
7/10

The Civil Wars Barton Hollow: Joy Williams and John Paul White really listen to each other and make a gorgeous sound together. This is immensely reassuring but also passionate music, which feels timeless and natural. This is their first LP and a real discovery: it's become part of my regular listening and I feel I'm unlikely to tire of it. There's obviously a country influence; the instrumentation is sparse; but it's more than the sum of its parts. I also recommend strongly their Live from SXSW 2011 EP available on iTunes.
9/10

Generationals Actor-Caster is lively and catchy pop with an uplifting feel. It's fun music: not profoundly moving, but summery, with 1960's influences, and I particularly like the instrumental work. The second half of the album perhaps becomes a little repetitive, but this has obvious appeal.
7/10

Gus Black The Day I Realized is his 6th album, but the first I've listened to and has real integrity. Many of the songs are quite slow and simple, but show great musicality and get under your skin. It's not at all showy, and time is needed to appreciate its imagination and understated emotion. Although there from different sides of the Atlantic, my response to this music is quite similar to David Ford's.
7.5/10

Gypsy & The Cat Gilgamesh is so upbeat: this Australian electro-pop has 80's influences and can hardly fail to make you want to dance. It's their debut album, and has a youthful feel; I love the spacious, imaginative instrumentation. It not profound, but just enjoy the moment. Hopefully they'll be in one of the tents at Coachella next year.
8/10

He's My Brother, She's My Sister EP: absolute fun, this is foot tapping music and I can only imagine they would create an awesome vibe live (please come to the UK!). It's jazz influenced but rootsy, and I'm not surprised to find that they have toured with Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. They are real originals, a charismatic mix of influences, and How I'm Gonna Get Back Home will have you dancing round the room even if you're sober.

7.5/10

iko Ludo Says Hi was released in 2009 and I've been bowled over by its combination of power and beauty. These guys rock one moment, and can be subtle and reflective the next; I can't believe they're not far better known. There's no excuse not to get to know them, since the band has made an EP containing five tracks from this album available for free download. It's incredibly emotionally satisfying music, and this album is a real masterpiece.
9.5/10

James Vincent McMorrow Early in the Morning is affecting and tender, folk influenced in the style of Bon Iver with heavy use of acoustic instruments including the banjo. It's simple music, perhaps a little derivative, but this Irish musician sings with passion with his counter tenor, falsetto voice. Some of the harmonies will be familiar from the Fleet Foxes, but if there's a criticism, it's a suspicion that he's studied and is trying to emulate the commercial appeal of Mumford and Sons, so it's just a little self-conscious.
7/10

Jeremy Messersmith The Reluctant Graveyard: definitely has a 1960's pop feel (which I consider to be a compliment) and despite the theme of death is uplifting. A good place to start is 'A Girl, A Boy and a Graveyard' which is the strongest track here, perhaps because it's rooted in folk and simple storytelling. He has a gift for melody, and deserves greater exposure.
8/10

Jessica Lea Mayfield Tell Me: despite her youth, this is Jessica's second album and her voice has a country twang. The lyrics are astonishingly mature, with Blue Skies again the outstanding track. The guitar and drum accompaniment give forward momentum, but there's also a pensive, reflective feel.
7.5/10

The Jezebels Dark Storm is the third in a trio of EPs from Sydney released in 2009-2010, and it's moody and not dissimilar in its emotional impact to iko. Hayley Mary has a compelling voice, and the instrumentation is full and lush, and yet it manages to be catchy. There's an epic outdoors feel, and my hopes are that they'll record a full length album, and come on tour to Europe.
9/10

Lauryn Hill Miseducation I'm so grateful I discovered this lengthy concept album before Coachella, as I otherwise might have missed her set at Coachella, which truly broadened my musical horizons. I don't habitually  listen to R&B, but this is surely a classic album which so evidently comes from the heart, and has such a strong opening. Much has been written about it by specialists, so I'll just say that you can't neglect this.
9/10

Luke Rathborne Dog Years / I can Be One split EP doesn't sound like the work of a 22 year old with a deep understanding of broken hearts and revealing a vulnerability. There's plenty of variety over its 8 tracks, with an undeniable country influence, and a freedom of vocal expression. I hope he will evolve further (I find the vocals on the final track too raw, for example), but there's a promise here.
7/10

Lykke Li Wounded Rhymes isn't at all a trite pop album: it's dark and moody, this album reflecting a relationship break up. Her voice doesn't have anywhere near the power of Adele's (it's far lighter) but she's still able to convey vulnerability and powerful longing. It's also revealing more with each listen: I'd suggest strongly you listen to this.

9/10

Manchester Orchestra Simple Math can be subtle and sympathetic, and although some have criticised the addition of lush strings, it still sounds sincere. There are also plenty of powerful guitar riffs, as on opening of the second track, and these guys are ambitious. This young band obviously don't reach the heights of The National (whom I suspect were an influence), but generate some power and angst. The title track is the strongest one.
6/10

Matthew Mayfield Now You're Free is melodic, poetic and thoughtful. It can also have drive and power, with variety within this first album. Occasionally I wondered if there was a touch of generic pop blandness, but it will convince many.
6/10

My Morning Jacket Circuital one of the higher profile albums on this list, and is one of the most imaginative and lavishly produced. It sounds as if it was recorded in a large space, which adds to the epic feeling, and several listens later, it's still growing on me. I'd be surprised if this doesn't make several end of year lists, as there's a sense of fun coupled with substance and the confidence to use unexpected textures and sounds.
8.5/10

Middle East I Want That you are always Happy from Australia is gentle, subtle and daring. The opening is dark, even bleak, and it's not afraid to tackle religious topics or be introspective. Much of it is acoustic, and there are striking resemblances to contemporary classic composition. Deep Water is an amazing track, but the entire album holds my attention. It's a minor masterpiece, cerebral but also emotionally engaging in a way I found much classical music failed to do for me.
9.5/10

Naked and Famous Passive Me, Agressive You from New Zealand is fairly undemanding music, not great art, but I'm pleased to say I'm soon seeing them live, so may revise my views. It's derivative (think MGMT), but still enjoyable and upbeat, as evidenced by the 2nd track, Punching in a Dream. I can see it working live, as much is eminently danceable and fun.
7/10

Neon Tress Habits: my enthusiasm for this album has been fuelled by their recent Coachella performance where their set was really energetic. Their sound is catchy and loud, and has simple appeal: it makes you feel happy at that moment in time. It can lack depth (e.g. Animal, paradoxically with 1983 one of the strongest tracks) and can't be compared with MMJ Circuital in musical skill or subtlety.
7.5/10

Other Lives tamer animals only just made it into this line-up thanks to a recent and enthusiastic review in Owl Mag; perhaps it appeals to me so much because as their review mentions, there are classical influences. It's subtle and has masterly control of structure across the album, using melody to create tension. There's an almost orchestral sound at times, with a panoramic quality. I find it very inspiring, and evocative of nature; so satisfying.
9/10

Peter Bjorn and John Gimme Some is another album which I appreciate infinitely more following a great live experience. It has a fairly simple, direct appeal based on catchy tunes and driving rhythms centred on guitars, bass and drums. It's been seen as a return to form for this Swedish band, and it's so well executed.
8/10

Vandaveer Dig Down Deep is charming, lyrical and upbeat with folk and country links evident in the harmony. It makes for a cohesive album, which is often atmospheric and emotional, but generally positive in outlook.
8/10

Voxhaul Broadcast Timing is Everything is ambitious, with its sights on Arcade Fire, with quite a rock and roll feel. They have great skill in execution, but I find the music a little unsatisfying: is it all about their sound and technique? Still enjoyable, and a band worth watching.
7/10