The chill of the season has already crept upon us and that means two things: 1) some of the year’s best music has been and will be released over the next few weeks and 2) pumpkin spice will infiltrate EVERYTHING.
It’s time to pull out your cozy sweaters, cuddle up with someone you love, and fuzz with anticipation at:
The 10 Most Fuzztastic Albums of the Fall (aka the best fall Fuzzlist ever)
10. Sleigh Bells – Bitter Rivals (10/8/13)
Sleigh Bells have always been about unabashed expression; living from party to party – sonically coasting through an amalgam of musical genres. Their latest album promises even more boundary-pushing, and…dance routines apparently.
9. Icona Pop – This is Icona Pop (9/24/13)
As AF has said before, Icona Pop is the latest fem-pop force to reckon with, and their message makes their music even more inviting. Where lady Gaga is singing about the marriage of Art and Pop, Icona Pop is exploring the marriage of Individuality and Pop, and the incredible diversity that should be exposed through it.
8. The Naked and Famous – In Rolling Waves (In Stores Now)
Making a modest splash in the states so far, TNAF has an anthemic sound, quirky vocals and lyrics, and intriguing thematic writing to offer the indie scene. They should be making waves soon, mark my words.
7. Janelle Monae – The Electric Lady (In Stores Now)
Yes, I’m sure you’ve heard this mentioned several times over the last week, however the album is so good, it bares repeating. The fall is fuzzy and electric thanks to Cindi Mayweather and her android adventures. Check out the tracks “Given Em What They Love (feat Prince),” “Electric Lady (feat Solange),” “Primetime (feat Miguel),” and “What an Experience.” The album is about finding sexual and emotional identity, in a world of clones and love abusers. A message for everyone, eh?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5ewB-o5N9A
6. Arcade Fire – Reflektor (10/29/13)
After dropping several cryptic hints that they were releasing a follow up to critically acclaimed “The Suburbs,” which included street marketing and hidden online messages, The Arcade Fire is back. They’ve even managed to snag the one and only David Bowie for their new project, and you can hear him on their latest (eponymous) single.
5. Elvis Costello & the Roots – Wise Up Ghost (In Stores Now)
In so many words, Elvis Costello takes getting used to. His raspy voice and off-kilter vocal inflections are an acquired taste. I have always been an admirer of his skill as a songwriter, and when I heard he was working with the Roots for all-new material, I knew we were in for a treat. After performing with the Roots on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon several times, the Costello and the group decided it was time for a studio collaboration…without having a recording contract…and many other side projects going on simultaneously…and, well the early reviews are glowing and I am excited to see what they’ve come up with!
4. Haim – Days Are Gone (In Stores – 9/30/13)
Perhaps on the of the most unexpected trios to appear on the scene lately, Haim has been basking in the glow of several sleeper hit singles. Combing simple yet lush Dixie-Chick harmonies, unpredictable arrangements, and themes that all of us can relate to; Haim is yet another feminine force to be reckoned with. I am in love with their most recent single ‘the Wire.’ Put it on your Fall FuzzList.
3. Amel Larrieux – Ice Cream Everyday (In Stores – 10/1/13)
The former member of Groove Theory returns in October (a postponement from August) with a highly anticipated all-original album (her first since 2005) entitled ‘Ice Cream Everyday.’ Being that it’s a Fall Fuzzlist, I realize adding a frozen summery treat to the mix is a bold choice. Well, we like bold choices around here, and so does Amel Larrieux. Her nouveau-R&B sound is brave, cool, and always tasty. I’ll take two.
2. of Montreal – lousy with sylvianbriar (10/8/13)
Kevin Barnes and company return (After only a year and a half) with their latest sure-to-be-trippy musical offering “lousy with sylvianbriar,’ in a few short weeks. Do we have any idea what the title means, or why they went with an im-sure-they-were-on-acid painting of a motorcycle for the cover, or why Kevin can’t write songs without words that I have to look up in the dictionary? Nope. That’s cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W6xjJ1iN7s
1. Lorde – Pure Heroine (10/1/13)
Last, and certainly not least, her highness (finally) releases her debut album in 2 weeks. Step aside Kimbra, it looks like Lorde is now New Zealand’s reigning pop princess. I’m intrigued, albeit a little confused, by the whole concept of Lorde – a pale skinned girl from a distant island, with a moniker that belongs to a dude, who sings about royalty and daddy issues. I guess it boils down to holding her audience captive, which she’s managed to do so far, and letting them go whenever she damn well pleases. Hail.
Which fall albums are YOU most looking forward to? FUZZ OFF down below.
Image courtesy of samantha-brown.com