Tame Impala – Currents (Fiction)
Why you should listen: Kevin Parker’s third album rumbles, buzzes and swoops through 13 tracks that pull elements of pop and synthy R&B into his band’s usual psychedelic repertoire.
It might not be for you if … You went off Kevin when you found out he sang on Mark Ronson’s last album. How dare he, etc.
What we said: “A lot of the album’s power and strangeness comes from the way the lyrics cut against the lusciousness of the arrangements – oozing synthesisers, gorgeous multitracked vocal harmonies, fluid, gently propulsive bass – and the loveliness of the melodies,” wrote Alexis Petridis, in his five-star review for the Guardian. Kitty Empire handed the album three stars, in her lead Observer review.
Score: 5/5
Wilco – Star Wars (dBPM/Anti)
Why you should listen: The band’s ninth album was surprise-released for free on their website (in exchange for an email address) and sparkles with glam-rock shimmer and Captain Beefheart-like psychpop glee.
It might not be for you if … Even after all these years, you’ve never found Wilco to be particularly exciting. You may be missing out on a real gem here, though.
What we said: “Star Wars sees stoner rock’n’roll nestling up to psychedelic singsongs and acid-drop pop, by route of unusual sounds ranging from a ticking clock-type melody to what may be a jumbo jet,” wrote Dave Simpson, in a first-listen online review for the Guardian.
Score: 4/5
C Duncan – Architect (FatCat)
Why you should listen: Written and recorded solo in his bedroom, Christopher Duncan’s debut album of multi-faceted dreampop mines both his classical composition background and his eclectic contemporary tastes.
It might not be for you if … You think listening to intellectual pop is more trouble than it’s worth.
What we said: “He seamlessly merges interweaving vocals with the sounds of pastoral English folk and lush, 4ADesque dreampop,” wrote Tim Jonze, in the Guardian.
Score: 4/5
Samantha Crain – Under Branch & Thorn & Tree (Full Time Hobby)
Why you should listen: Crain tells stories from the viewpoint of “the underdog, the 99% of us that are working people”, on a fourth album spanning Americana, folk, country and the woozy synth lines of off-kilter opener, Killer.
It might not be for you if … You easily bore of downtrodden tales set to acoustic guitar, or don’t often listen to Americana.
What we said: “The richness of Crain’s voice and the elegant simplicity of the musical arrangements bring drama to these stories,” wrote Ally Carnwath, in the Observer. Harriet Gibsone gave the album a more restrained three stars, in the Guardian.
Score: 4/5
Outfit – Slowness (Memphis Industries)
Why you should listen: This second album from the Liverpool five-piece references new wave textures and billows into a warm cloud of synth- and guitar-driven songs about long-distance love and yearning.
It might not be for you if … You don’t like synthy guitar music.
What we said: “By the time the closer, Swam Out, heads into its grand, sweeping coda, you’ll be entranced,” wrote Michael Hann, in the Guardian.
Score: 4/5
Though this list is indie-heavy, elsewhere Ratatat released another album of their squealing guitar-and-synth music, Iron and Wine collaborated with Band of Horses singer Ben Bridwell on a covers album and Flying Saucer Attack put out their first album in 15 years. What are you looking forward to hearing this week?
