I have a feeling that this summer's music slate is going to be beyond amazing. I'm already discounting the stuff that has already leaked, like LCD Soundsystem's "This Is Happening" and Robyn's "Body Talk Pt 1," and focusing on the stuff I am still really, really excited to listen to. All of these things should prove to be perfect for trips to the beach with the windows rolled down. I hope.
01 Scissor Sisters, "Night Work" [release date: June 29th]
Exhibit A: We haven't had a new album by the New York City glam pop band (led by Jake Shears and Ana Matronic) in FOUR FUCKING YEARS. This is far too long. I need my hyper-gay glitter pop. They were somewhat stung, it's imagined, by the lackluster critical and commercial response to their sophomore album "Ta-Dah." What people are forgetting is that "Ta-Dah" was absolutely amazing. But oh well. We're moving on. Exhibit B: The fact that the album is produced by "Disco" Stuart Price, the sonic wizard behind such albums as The Killers' criminally underrated "Day & Age" and Madonna's "Confessions on a Dance Floor." Exhibit C: THIS SONG, which serves as the album closer. And, yes, that's the equally gay Sir Ian McKellan dropping a Vincent Price-in-"Thriller"-style verse ("Babylon, where bricks and mortar die…"). "Night Work" promises to be a sleazy sex dungeon of an album that will temper the bright-and-sunny of the summer while still making you dance your fucking ass off.
02 Kelis, "Flesh Tone" [release date: July 6th]
I think Kelis is something of an overlooked genius. Her 2001 album "Wanderland," which was never released in North America, is the closest thing my generation has come to our very own "Pet Sounds" and most people have never heard it. (She received some degree of commercial success with her 2003 album "Tasty," mostly because it included her unstoppable single "Milkshake.") Her last album was 2006's "Kelis Was Here," which was a beautifully bizarre little pop record that very few people purchased. She's been bouncing around various record labels since her debut album and this summer sees her relocated to Interscope, under Black Eyed Pea Will.i.am's umbrella. This promises to be a rich dance record if the single, "Acapella" is any indication (check out the amazing video by photographer Rankin HERE). Every time she releases an album I kind of hold my breath because I wonder if there'll ever be another one. Thankfully, there is. Appropos of nothing, I have a huge crush on Rankin's girlfriend/wife/whatever Tuuli Shipster.
03 M.I.A., untitled third album [release date: June 29th]
She's like Kelis, except people give a shit about her (especially the indie kids).
04 Keane, "Night Train" [release date: May 10th]
With their last album, 2008's "Perfect Symmatry," they proved that they really were one of the greatest pop bands on the planet (and all those Coldplay comparisons could go jump in a lake). This is technically an "EP," although it's 8 songs long, which is just as long as "The Fame Monster," so I say it's an album! Just stop for a minute and listen to their new single "Stop for A Minute" HERE.
05 Christina Aguilera, "Bionic" [release date: June 8th]
This is like the most all-star pop album of the season. Look at the lall star ist of Xtina's collaborators (although, really, we have no fucking clue whose songs will end up on the album proper): Sia, Ladytron, Linda Perry, Tricky Stewart, Goldfrapp, Santigold, Le Tigre, and The Neptunes. If just a fraction of those production heavyweights end up on the album, well, we'll be very lucky indeed. For now, just listen to the lead single here (she says "Fuck you!" awesome!) and bask in the greatness of possibility. Also, get a load of that album art.
06 Sia, "We Are Born" [release date: June 8th]
Sia's last album was met with the seesawing hand of indifference. (As it should have been. It was pretty dull.) But this time she's recruited genius super producer Greg Kurstin, who has given her a slick pop sheen. Just watch the great video for first single "Clap Your Hands" HERE. If it isn't stuck in your head for the rest of the day, then you probably weren't listening.
08 Kele, "The Boxer" [release date: June 22nd]
Kele, from Brit pop rock band Bloc Party, has been veering towards electronic music on the last couple of Bloc Party records, so it will be interesting to hear what his self described "electro pop" album will sound like. I'm guessing "very good."
09 Big Boi, "Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty" [release date: July 6th]
I guess it's finally coming out. The first song from the album only premiered two years ago and it's been almost ten years since the last proper OutKast record(s) ("Idlewild" does not count, because it was awful). I'm an OutKast diehard (I even have the "Class of 3000" soundtrack album for crying out loud), and I have purposefully stayed away from many of the leaked tracks, so the power of this one will be even greater.
10 Chromeo, "Business Casual" [release date: August 17th]
Not a lot is known about the NYC duo's new record (they're peforming with Daryl Hall at Bonnaroo – maybe he'll sneak on there?), but I'm guessing it should cap off the season well.
01 Scissor Sisters, "Night Work" [release date: June 29th]
Exhibit A: We haven't had a new album by the New York City glam pop band (led by Jake Shears and Ana Matronic) in FOUR FUCKING YEARS. This is far too long. I need my hyper-gay glitter pop. They were somewhat stung, it's imagined, by the lackluster critical and commercial response to their sophomore album "Ta-Dah." What people are forgetting is that "Ta-Dah" was absolutely amazing. But oh well. We're moving on. Exhibit B: The fact that the album is produced by "Disco" Stuart Price, the sonic wizard behind such albums as The Killers' criminally underrated "Day & Age" and Madonna's "Confessions on a Dance Floor." Exhibit C: THIS SONG, which serves as the album closer. And, yes, that's the equally gay Sir Ian McKellan dropping a Vincent Price-in-"Thriller"-style verse ("Babylon, where bricks and mortar die…"). "Night Work" promises to be a sleazy sex dungeon of an album that will temper the bright-and-sunny of the summer while still making you dance your fucking ass off.
02 Kelis, "Flesh Tone" [release date: July 6th]
I think Kelis is something of an overlooked genius. Her 2001 album "Wanderland," which was never released in North America, is the closest thing my generation has come to our very own "Pet Sounds" and most people have never heard it. (She received some degree of commercial success with her 2003 album "Tasty," mostly because it included her unstoppable single "Milkshake.") Her last album was 2006's "Kelis Was Here," which was a beautifully bizarre little pop record that very few people purchased. She's been bouncing around various record labels since her debut album and this summer sees her relocated to Interscope, under Black Eyed Pea Will.i.am's umbrella. This promises to be a rich dance record if the single, "Acapella" is any indication (check out the amazing video by photographer Rankin HERE). Every time she releases an album I kind of hold my breath because I wonder if there'll ever be another one. Thankfully, there is. Appropos of nothing, I have a huge crush on Rankin's girlfriend/wife/whatever Tuuli Shipster.
03 M.I.A., untitled third album [release date: June 29th]
She's like Kelis, except people give a shit about her (especially the indie kids).
04 Keane, "Night Train" [release date: May 10th]
With their last album, 2008's "Perfect Symmatry," they proved that they really were one of the greatest pop bands on the planet (and all those Coldplay comparisons could go jump in a lake). This is technically an "EP," although it's 8 songs long, which is just as long as "The Fame Monster," so I say it's an album! Just stop for a minute and listen to their new single "Stop for A Minute" HERE.
05 Christina Aguilera, "Bionic" [release date: June 8th]
This is like the most all-star pop album of the season. Look at the lall star ist of Xtina's collaborators (although, really, we have no fucking clue whose songs will end up on the album proper): Sia, Ladytron, Linda Perry, Tricky Stewart, Goldfrapp, Santigold, Le Tigre, and The Neptunes. If just a fraction of those production heavyweights end up on the album, well, we'll be very lucky indeed. For now, just listen to the lead single here (she says "Fuck you!" awesome!) and bask in the greatness of possibility. Also, get a load of that album art.
06 Sia, "We Are Born" [release date: June 8th]
Sia's last album was met with the seesawing hand of indifference. (As it should have been. It was pretty dull.) But this time she's recruited genius super producer Greg Kurstin, who has given her a slick pop sheen. Just watch the great video for first single "Clap Your Hands" HERE. If it isn't stuck in your head for the rest of the day, then you probably weren't listening.
08 Kele, "The Boxer" [release date: June 22nd]
Kele, from Brit pop rock band Bloc Party, has been veering towards electronic music on the last couple of Bloc Party records, so it will be interesting to hear what his self described "electro pop" album will sound like. I'm guessing "very good."
09 Big Boi, "Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty" [release date: July 6th]
I guess it's finally coming out. The first song from the album only premiered two years ago and it's been almost ten years since the last proper OutKast record(s) ("Idlewild" does not count, because it was awful). I'm an OutKast diehard (I even have the "Class of 3000" soundtrack album for crying out loud), and I have purposefully stayed away from many of the leaked tracks, so the power of this one will be even greater.
10 Chromeo, "Business Casual" [release date: August 17th]
Not a lot is known about the NYC duo's new record (they're peforming with Daryl Hall at Bonnaroo – maybe he'll sneak on there?), but I'm guessing it should cap off the season well.
Also sure to be fucking incredible: Jamie Lidell, "The Compass" [5/18], Janelle Monae, "The ArchAndroid" [5/18], Tracey Thorn, "Love and Its Opposite" [5/18], Tobacco, "Maniac Meat" [5/25], The Roots, "How I Got Over" [6/8], The Chemical Brothers, "Further" [6/8], Ratatat, "LP4" [6/22], The-Dream, "Love King" [6/22]
Really great. Your voice is hilarious. and it has a nice service-y vibe. I really like the way you link, as if you were holding something behind your back and then are like "HERE!" IT did seem a little random, though. wasn't sure why some things were linked and others weren't. Also, careful not to rely on wikipedia. If you stop and think for a few minutes, there's usually a more creative way to go, something more to give your reader
ReplyDelete