July & August 2014 Best New Album Releases

[tps_header]July & August 2014 Best New Album Releases[/tps_header]

It’s that time of the month again, in which I try to rush writing what’s been good in music for the last month, or months in this case, since I haven’t done this feature in a while. The good news is that I didn’t make you miss much good music; these last couple of months have been a little lackluster, and the bad news is precisely that. However, not everything is lost when you listen to the greatest and latest, whether you’re trying to discover fresh music from new artists who really leave a mark upon their debut, or you’re exploring the latest releases from an artist you previously enjoyed. Either way, there is much to get excited about here, because this handpicked list is ready for your reading, listening and enjoyment. I already filtered everything out, so what I managed to keep on the list are only ten spots for the very best music releases overall during the months of July and August 2014.

Let’s get started…

[tps_title]10. How to Dress Well – “What is This Heart?”[/tps_title]

I’m not the biggest follower of the singer-songwriter behind How to Dress Well, Tom Krell. However, this new record from How to Dress Well, “’What is This Heart?’”, released on the 23rd of June, left me pleasantly surprised. The album starts off with the acoustic ballad “2 Years On (Shame Dream)”, which showcases Krell’s wonderful singing voice and storytelling ability. The next track, “What You Wanted”, kicks up the energy while still retaining that smooth R&B sound, with an infectious drum pattern and beautifully distorted wind instruments and bright synths. This energy carries throughout the album, delivering something that I feel was desperately needed on his last project: a groove. My favorite track might have to be “See You Fall”, which samples The Velvet Underground’s “Heroin” perfectly, giving the track not only a wonderful new element in terms of instrumentation, but also adding deeper meaning to Krell’s lyrics. With “’What is This Heart?’”, Krell has turned me into a fan. He shows himself to be a new force in R&B that I hope will be recognized beyond the blogosphere.

By James Gilbert

Watch:

Listen:

[tps_title]9. Imogen Heap – “Sparks”[/tps_title]

Sparks is the fourth studio album by UK-based electro-pop artist, Imogen Heap. The album is as edgy as expected from Heap and it satisfies and runs deep with a high-quality production and rich eclectic sounds. It is an ambitious piece of dream pop art and it stands well on its own – it almost seems like any comparison to this masterpiece would be irrelevant. However, it must be stated that this new release from Imogen Heap, even if it was critically praised, treasured by fans and topped the Billboard charts, is not an easy listen for everyone, and you shouldn’t expect any “out-of-the-package” memorable lyrics or mainstream hit singles.

Watch:

[tps_title]8. Matisyahu – “Akeda”[/tps_title]

I was initially excited by the prospect of reviewing Matisyahu’s newest album, “Akeda”. That is, until I listened to the album. The thing about the “Live at Stubbs” albums is that you can just feel the power of his words and his music through his performance. He knows how to make you groove along to his interesting flows and rhythms, but on this new album, “Akeda”, Matisyahu does nothing more than bore me. He’s still got an incredible singing voice, but he has slowed down his rapping technique considerably and his lyricism has suffered as well, with songs like “Confidence” and “Obstacles” sounding like the typical motivational speeches you’d see on posters hanging in an office cubicle. From a production standpoint, this album sounds fantastic, with the Chassidic rapper hopping over some unexpected and intriguing instrumentals throughout, but if you’re looking for a truly fulfilling Matisyahu record, go listen to “Live at Stubbs” instead.

By James Gilbert

Watch:

Listen:

[tps_title]7. Basement Jaxx – “Junto”[/tps_title]

Basement Jaxx are back with their seventh studio album, “Junto”, released on August 25th, 2014. The Special Edition version contains two discs of almost two full hours of music and additional remixes. More sophisticated than “Disclosure” but less so than “Hercules And Love Affair,” the latest album by the adept Basement Jaxx fails to impress completely. It could be because it’s their seventh album already and we’re now used to their once ingenious sounds, but the album is just a mixed bag of averagely sophisticated and mildly enjoyable house music. Sadly, non-house tracks like Buffalo don’t sound original, they sound disjointed. Bottom line: recommended for pure house fans looking for something, that within the genre, does sound slightly more interesting.

Watch:

Listen:

[tps_title]6. Sébastien Tellier – “L’Aventura”[/tps_title]

Talented and multifaceted French singer, songwriter, intrumentalist and composer Sébastien Tellier released his sixth studio album, “L’Aventura”, on July 2014. It combines his ever emotional and soft style that is, ambiguously, both dark and sunny at the same time. Refreshing and experimental, his music can relax you into an auditive trip. His latest album is as mysterious as ever, but introduces some subtle but core bossa and Brazilian-related elements, which make up something interesting when mixed with the French lyrics.

Watch:

Listen:

[tps_title]5. FKA Twigs – “LP1”[/tps_title]

FKA Twigs makes highly produced experimental, electronic R&B. Special indeed, this eclectic mix of elements is reminiscent of Massive Attack or even Björk in select songs. Tracks like “Two Weeks” are definitive highlights that are rich in sound, emotion, and are very sexual. The explicit lyrics totally add to the edginess of her sound and don’t make the songs sound vulgar. The highly refined vocals could get lost within the broad weaving of the hypnotic beats, but listen carefully and you’ll hear why FKA Twigs is one of the most highly praised new artists around. If you like varied experimental sounds, FKA Twigs could very well become your new favorite “bedroom music”.

Watch:

Listen:

[tps_title]4. La Roux – “Trouble in Paradise”[/tps_title]

La Roux returns with an album that would only satisfy core fans. I was initially excited about her return – I coincidentally had recently listened to some of her previous tracks so the comparison of her new material with her past work was unavoidable. However, I was half disappointed to not even have a fulfilling new favorite song on my first listen of “Trouble in Paradise.” Good album with no highlights.

Watch:

Listen:

[tps_title]3. NoNoNo – “We Are Only What We Feel”[/tps_title]

“We Are Only What We Feel” is an average emotional indie pop album with spare but evident highlight songs. These highlight songs are the best parts of the album only because they are shallowly catchy but not much more than that. If you’ve been captured by the catchy hit single “Pumpin’ Blood”, you’ve already heard the best of the album. Don’t expect many more songs as memorable as that one, or that you will find anything emotionally deeper in the album, either. However, the album does depict emotional scenarios, and what might appear like a shallow album at first could very well be a highly whimsical view on life. After all, “we are only what we feel”.

Watch:

Listen:

[tps_title]2. The Magic Numbers – “Alias”[/tps_title]

The Magic Numbers have always had a mixed style between trying to be mature pop and something a bit more rocking. Thankfully, that dichotomy is graceful in their senior (fourth) album. They sound more established and secure of their own style, with soft notes accompanied by emotional, sometimes slightly whiny (but never tiring), lyrics. The album is never a snore-fest, however – it’s mellow but keeps you awake with its variety of instrumental compositions and occasional louder snippets within a song here and there. The record is not very surprising, but it’s totally pleasing as an enjoyable background distraction with lyrics that could pull you into personal memories and head-nodding beats. All-in-all, a solid album from start to finish.

Watch:

Listen:

[tps_title]1. Jungle – “Jungle”[/tps_title]

Overall, I’m totally impressed by Jungle. I’ve been repeatedly listening to them, to each song they have released up until now, and I can finally listen to their album as a whole. I hope I will soon be able to see them live because I’ve been awed by their originality and talent from what I’ve seen of their live shows so far. Jungle is a true gem in modern music. In 2014, it feels like no artist plays their own instruments anymore, and we have heard almost everything. Jungle manages to create music that can truly be catchy, commercial hits, but also stay soulful. Nowadays, music that blends past sounds with current dance is nothing new. We’ve heard it all with many artists, for example, combining electro and swing (remember when that sounded refreshing?), and we’ve done it too with various other musical genres. But the way Jungle blends all these various elements of funk, soul, dance and dubstep, makes it not only unique, because their approach is truly masterful, but truly special, because it doesn’t feel like a blend of sounds at all. They are well beyond the mixture of musical elements they use; they are in a category of their own.

Continue…
Read our full album review here.

Watch:

Listen:

There you have it: the best of the best in new music releases from the months of July and August 2014.
I hope you enjoyed it and discovered some new favorite music browsing through this Top 10.

Vote for your favorite here:

VOTE IN OUR POLL! [Available soon]

Do you agree or disagree with these picks?
Which was your favorite music release for the the months of July and August?

Speak up in the comments section below!

Advertisement