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❤ Eevee's Best of 2015 ❤
Member Since: 10/3/2009
Posts: 35,844
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Let It Happen reaching Top 3. Massive approval.
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 27,248
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Let It Happen 
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 12,760
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The universal acclaim for Sparks.  
I have been DRAGGING my feet with these album write-ups but don't worry girls the first five are coming SOON x
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 12,760
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We start off with our token country album! Well, no. I did really enjoy this album, I promise. Kacey has apparently been marketed as some kind of anti-hero for country music, singing about accepting gays, getting high etc. Claimed to make "country music for people who don't like country", this is true to an extent: "This Town", for example is about the small Texan town she grew up in, but the idea that 'everyone knows everyone' could easily be applied to a village here in England or anywhere else in the world. Her lyrics are definitely some of the most interesting to come from the genre and I like that she isn't afraid to tell things how it is, like on the title track: "And it ain't that I don't care about world peace / But I don't see how I can fix it in a swimsuit on a stage." Unsurprisingly, my least favourites on the record are the songs most traditionally 'country', like "Family is Family" and the appalling lead single, where Kacey relies on tired platitudes and grating instrumentals. What suits her better are the more tender moments on the album. Her sweet, unaffected vocals are perfect for ballads like "Late to the Party" and "Die Fun". Best of is the wistful closer "Fine" where our heroine tries to convince others (and herself) that she's "fine". It really tugs at the heartstrings a bit, doesn't it?
Listen: ""Fine"
Ugh, this album has been done so wrong.
Indiana's acclaimed top 15 smash hit "Solo Dancing" was one of the best singles of 2014. The antithesis of "Dancing om my Own", if you will. While Robyn wallows in her own self-pity, Indiana owns her label and vows to "dance to the bitter end", producing one of the coolest and most self-assured pop songs I've heard in a while. But then then her next single tanked, and so did her much delayed debut album No Romeo. The critics didn't exactly take to it either, and the record joined the 61 Metacritic club with Prism and Artpop et al. The main complaint seemed to be that it doesn't bring anything new to the table, which is true. But I couldn't really care less about originality so long as the music is good, and I think No Romeo is a solid debut. While "Solo Dancing" is undoubtedly the highlight here, there are several other strong tracks. The menacing opener "Never Born" sounds vaguely like something Lana would do if she ventured more down the electronic route and finds the Nottingham mother of two singing about her "wrath" and cursing some poor guy's sons and daughters, which is kinda ridiculous but it still works. The track also showcases her pretty wide range, she has that Halsey-esqe ~indie girl~ vocal affectation but she has such a sweet tone that it kind of works. "Jack" is nice spin on that old nursery rhyme about Jack and Jill and is very well produced, as is "New Heart" which features some of the most interesting production on the album. The most unique is probably the Drive soundtrack influenced "Go Fast" which utilizes a vocoder driven chorus and has lyrics about an adrenaline junkie who would rather "burn out than fade away". Overall, I don't think anyone will be blown away by the record, but I really enjoyed some of it's highlights and I think y'all could too!
Listen: "Solo Dancing"
Ibeyi is a duo comprised of French-Cuban twins Naomi and Lisa-Kaindé Díaz who sing in both English and the traditional Nigerian language of Yoruba. The record is dedicated to the twins' sister and father (a famous musician), who both passed away. This gives the album a somewhat mournful feeling, which is only accentuated by the minimalist production placing full attention on the twins' ghostly vocal harmonies. In the true spirit of a debut, the albums' strongest tracks are the singles: the upbeat, piano driven "Ghosts" has a sort of playfulness the rest of the record lacks and "River" is a real showstopper. A prayer to the Yoruba god of fertility. the track has some of the most engaging lyrics on the album: "Sink my pains and complaints/ Let the river take them, river, drown them!" over a harsh drum beat. The best of the new tracks is "Think of You" a powerful song about their late father. Backed by a simple drum beat, Lisa-Lisa-Kaindé sounds almost on the verge of tears as she urges herself to "remember with rhythm our loved ones that are gone."
But again, like many debut albums, it feels more like a showcase of the potential they have rather than the best possible collection of tracks. As the record progresses, the songs begin to blur into each other. Their formula of minimalist electronics, haunting vocal arrangements and Yoruba flourishes can be memorable ("Weatherman") but more often than not the tracks fly by without leaving much of an impression. But regardless of its flaws, Ibeyi is still a captivating debut from an act that is definitely worth keeping an eye on in the future.
Listen: "River"
PC's music's own brand of artificially sweetened pop is definitely one of the most interesting things in music to emerge this decade, inspiring numerous think pieces about whether it is a ~commentary on the state of modern pop music~ but most importantly giving us some BOPS. PRODUCT is the debut album / compilation (?) of SOPHIE who has also produced Charli's worst song, that dreadful "When I Rule the World" song and "Bitch I'm Madonna " (?). But thankfully all of the tracks on here are good. Hannah Diamond's lovelorn electro-ballad "Attachment" is still my favourite thing to come from the PC music factory but PRODUCT still provided some flawless bops for me. The previously released songs are all strong of course, but the newer songs definitely added to the record's quality. "VYZEE" is probably SOPHIE's most accessible song to date with its irresistible hooks, this is followed by "L.O.V.E" which is pretty much the opposite, alternating between a bizarre mosquito alarm and a high pitched chanting of the title phrase, as if to suck all the meaning and power associated with the word. The album also knows its limits. 8 tracks may seen a little short but the formula is definitely something that would get old quickly and by the time you get to "Just Like We Never Said Goodbye" you'll probably feel like never hearing a SOPHIE song again. Too much sugar is bad for you!
Listen: "VYZEE"
Last year I discovered "Continental Shelf" out of curiosity, being the geographer that I am and I was definitely impressed by what I heard. The furious, fast paced verses are already excellent but the chorus :shakingjonny:, with those ghostly backing vocals and the vivid imagery of the lyrics it was perhaps one of the most unexpectedly beautiful songs of the year. It's just a real art + pop experience. There isn't anything else on Viet Cong's self-titled debut quite as fine as "Continental Shelf", but that's OK, I wasn't expecting there to be. Aside from the glorious outro of "March of Progress" the band don't seem to be interested in recreating the beauty of "Continental Shelf" and instead go for a very harsh, aggressive sound, especially on the opener "Newspaper Spoons" which is almost off putting in its use of thundering drums and bizarre lyrics. That's not to say they don't do this well though, the seven tracks on the record are all exceptional in one way or another with the most impressive being the 11-minute (poor Joanna) closer, "Death" which kind of sounds like it would be an overwrought disaster but is actually one of the most satisfying album closers I've ever heard. Viet Cong isn't always an easy listen for me, not really something I put on that often, but I appreciate it for helping me explore a genre I'm not exactly well-versed in. Baby steps!
Listen: "Continental Shelf"
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 29,531
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I just listened to your #1 Sparks. It's quite good, deserves the #1 spot. 
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Member Since: 8/6/2015
Posts: 5,766
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I've only recently got into Viet Cong and liked it.
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Viet Cong isn't always an easy listen for me, not really something I put on that often, but I appreciate it for helping me explore a genre I'm not exactly well-versed in.
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Same. Don't know the others, I listened to the highlighted tracks, and River, Solo Dancing and Fine were all very cute
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Member Since: 10/8/2009
Posts: 8,118
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Pageant Material 
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 9/2/2011
Posts: 21,728
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I only know Kacey but I thought her album was kind of meh after the last one nn
Still had some good moments though!
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Member Since: 10/3/2009
Posts: 35,844
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Viet Cong and Kacey
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Member Since: 5/23/2007
Posts: 65,087
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Indiana! I remember "Solo Dancing", that song was my jam! Let me check out her album! 
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Member Since: 12/14/2011
Posts: 21,274
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I feel you on Viet Cong esp. that last part lolz, I do think it was pretty consistent all the way through though and I found myself going back to it a lot at least for the first month or so
And Sophie's my handsome son
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Member Since: 12/14/2011
Posts: 21,274
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aw Sparks is a trill ass song, did u like Days of Candy? that was my fav from them this year (maybe ever ?¿!?¿) Depression Cherry kinda chilled the opener + closer game
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Member Since: 2/5/2014
Posts: 29,111
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The love for Viet Cong
Ibeyi kind of reminds me of a joke from Parks & Recreation joke, but I want to give them a listen. I'll check em out. I have to give Kacey a listen eventually also 
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 27,248
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Pageant Material is flawless 
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Member Since: 8/31/2013
Posts: 12,948
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Pageant Material, Product & Viet Cong are great albums. I had never heard of the other two but both "River" and "Solo Dancing" slay.
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 12,760
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Quote:
Originally posted by lovesong
I only know Kacey but I thought her album was kind of meh after the last one nn
Still had some good moments though!
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Yeah, I keep hearing this but I think both albums are pretty alike and there isn't much of a difference in quality to these ears. "Dandelion" is still her best song tho!
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Originally posted by Kang.
aw Sparks is a trill ass song, did u like Days of Candy? that was my fav from them this year (maybe ever ?¿!?¿) Depression Cherry kinda chilled the opener + closer game
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I remember I didn't at first, the choir kind of put me off. LOVE it now tho, it's the pefect closer. It might be their best closer ever tbh.
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Originally posted by Bloomers
The love for Viet Cong
Ibeyi kind of reminds me of a joke from Parks & Recreation joke, but I want to give them a listen. I'll check em out. I have to give Kacey a listen eventually also |
d, what joke?  I used to love Parks and Rec.
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Member Since: 11/18/2011
Posts: 5,396
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Still never listened to a Kacey album but people seem to like her so maybe I'll get around to it sometime.
That Solo Dancing song seems like a great one from your description. I'll have to check it out and then see if the album is worth a listen.
Good description of Sophie's little kind of album. It's an interesting mix of songs. Not down for the Vroom Vroom hate but the other songs you've paired it with are indeed awful.
What does PC music mean by the way? I still don't know and everyone is tossing this phrase around so much nowadays. 
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 4/3/2014
Posts: 34,134
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Pageant Material
I liked a few songs from PRODUCT, too.
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Member Since: 2/17/2012
Posts: 33,611
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Kacey is good, but I'm just not into that sound so much.
Didn't really make it through Indiana's album but I think it's cause I got distracted and then forgot to finish.
Ibeyi I think is better in theory than the actual music lol.
Product is amazing that is all.
Didn't listen to Viet Cong.
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 12,760
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Quote:
Originally posted by Ewan Chaos
What does PC music mean by the way? I still don't know and everyone is tossing this phrase around so much nowadays. |
I think it's a label, don't quote me on that though. They all have that sort of bubblegum pop sound with the pitch shifted vocals.
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