I'm convinced time is accelerating. It's 2013 already and I am having trouble comprehending how 12 months have passed. But, as always, I've managed to find new music to enjoy. Here's a list of my favorites...
Twin Shadow - Confess - It's what the 1980s sound like in my dreams. Ok, that's hyperbole, but Twin Shadow (a.k.a. George Lewis, Jr.) has internalized numerous strains of 80s pop, new-wave and R&B and blended them into a impressive, seamless whole. He has a talent for taking synth sounds and guitar tones that sounded hopelessly cheesy in the 80s and recontextualizing them to boost the emotional impact of his music (similar to M83). The music provides a widescreen backdrop for his dramatic, emotional lyrics. Whether he's a wounded romantic or a loveless lothario, he makes it seem fresh and sincere. I've had the album in rotation for months, and it's still a great listen all the way through.
I also recommend checking out the songs Twin Shadow performed live in studio for Pitchfork, known as the Mansion Sessions.
Chromatics - Kill For Love - Slow-building, moody, stylish goth-disco-pop. Nobody else does it quite like Chromatics. Five years since their last album, they return with probably their best album ever. Several short, sharp singles are mixed in with longer more atmospheric set pieces. But, unlike on many other albums, the extended set pieces really work, and give the album a real presence.
Beach House - Bloom - Their previous albums haven't made much of an impression with me -- the songs just seemed to fade into the background. And they are still mining the slow-building, laid-back Mazzy Star/Galaxie 500/Cocteau Twins vibe that can be hard to pull off. But with their latest release the songs are simply better, bolder and more memorable. Baltimore represent!
Santigold - Master Of My Make-Believe - Modern pop music that hops genres with abandon, borrows affectionately from past masters, and delivers sharp songs that appeal to the heart, head, and hips. The album is quirky, fun, intelligent, full of heart, and never dumbed down. A standout in today's pop landscape.
Evans The Death - Evans The Death - If the New Pornographers had more of a noisy, jagged, punk-style attack (and let Neko Case sing all of the songs) they might sound something like Evans The Death. This high velocity debut consists of 12 extremely catchy, well-constructed numbers ripped through in 30 minutes. Simple, tuneful and powerful indie rock.
Passion Pit - Gossamer - Michael Angelakos has that ineffable knack for pop genius. His songs are pure pop, piled high with catchy flourishes and unexpected hooks. His swooping, often falsetto vocals, are the icing on the cake. What this sometimes obscures is the tense, anxious, and sometimes disquieting lyrics. This dichotomy allows the album to be appreciated on multiple levels and makes it one I return to frequently.
The xx - Coexist - The reviews for their sophomore album haven't been as glowing as their debut, primarily because they haven't really changed much. But they had their ultra-minimalist, post-punk ethos very well defined from the very beginning, and they have maintained the songwriting quality, so what's to complain about? If you liked the debut, you should definitely pick this one up.
Trailer Trash Tracys - Ester - They specialize in a reverb-laden shoegaze/dream-pop style with breathy, deadpan vocals, and a spare, spooky aesthetic. Their music is lot more stripped down and less overtly pop-oriented than many similar bands, but it's still easy to appreciate. A promising debut.
The Gaslight Anthem - Handwritten - They are still musically indebted to Bruce Springsteen and rootsy punk (e.g. Social Distortion). They still exude an earnest, heart-on-the-sleeve passion. And they are still a damn fine rock and roll band. On their fourth album, the first for a major label, they continue to define and refine their own sound. They seem poised to fill the shoes of their idols for a new generation.
The District Attorneys - Slowburner - Well written southern style pop-rock; a recent spawn from the fertile Athens, GA music scene. Of course, these days "pop-rock" is almost a perjorative, so these guys are flying well under the radar. No videos posted, just an album with numerous highlights and no clunkers.
Honorable Mention
The Weeknd - Trilogy
Bloc Party - Four
Symmetry - Themes For An Imaginary Film
Cloud Nothings - Attack On Memory
Best Reissues
Smashing Pumpkins - Pisces Iscariot
Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness
Sugar - Copper Blue
Sugar - File Under: Easy Listening
Interpol - Turn On The Bright Lights
My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
My Bloody Valentine - Isn't Anything
My Bloody Valentine - EPs 1988-1991