Gospel/blues posturing in Hozier-Byrne’s latest
HOZIER
Wasteland Baby
[LP/CD](Columbia)
Andrew Hozier-Byrne is certainly not taking us to church on this long-awaited second album. "Wasteland Baby" is proof that a lot has changed in four years for the Irish singer/songwriter. Much like his debut, Hozier wants most to emulate the music of the past. Songs are aloft on drifting chords, hand claps and soulful shifts. However, much like the hits from his debut, there is a lot of gospel/blues posturing to go around.
WEEZER
The Black Album
[LP/CD](Crush/Atlantic)
Here's the dilemma: Weezer, which has mostly always been a pop band, manages to squeeze out one more modern hit to continue its fascinating chart run. Rivers Cuomo has always written catchy choruses, but "The Black Album" carries the same notion of a new Red Hot Chili Peppers album. Sound as slick and comparable to what else is streaming as possible, then add hooks ("Zombie Bastards" actually includes within its terse lyrics 'blah blah blah'). For those keeping score, their cover of a-ha's "Take On Me" exceeded five million views this week. Each single from their new album has yet to cross one million.
Brighde Chambeuil
The Reeling
[LP/CD](RIver Lea/Rough Trade)
Meet Brìghde Chaimbeul (pron. BREE-Chu Campbell). You are going to want to get the pronunciation on this new musician correct, because she is about to ignite a traditional music movement. This piper from Skye is one everyone should be talking about. Just 20 years old, Chambeuil takes the music of antiquity (from everywhere including Cape Breton, Bulgaria, and distant Gaelic traditions) and makes it sound alarmingly beautiful. Her debut, "The Reeling," was elegantly recorded in an ancient church (without overdubs) on the Black Isle. Her music is a thing of beauty. Just when you think the drone of the smallpipes has grown too familiar, she brings you back with another variation in her fleet melodicism and effortless weaving of these songs. On "An Léimras / Harris Dance," she is accompanied by both a swelling violin and harmonium. As their harmonies literally dance around one another, you are left hypnotized. Speaking of dancing, when she handles the jig "The Old Woman's Dance/The Skylark's Ascension," it is spellbinding as she elaborately builds tension and releases it as the chords ascend. Finally, on "Taladh Nan Cearc," she is accompanied by her inspirational 82-year old Rona Lightfoot, who sings phonetically (canntairreachd) just as she is teaching Chambeuil the tune. Endlessly fascinating.
UNTESTED UNPROVEN (largely)
UnHEard
DU BLONDE
Lung Bread for Daddy
[LP/CD](Moshi Moshi)
Beth Jeans Houghton is a puzzling writer and performer. As Du Blonde, she trades in her folksy roots for a defined, stream-of-consciousness guitar driven Rock thrust. On "Lung Bread," she takes full control and gives you a PJ Harvey-esque melodic glimpse into her life and psyche. "Black Flag" is Nineties Rock run through John Lennon circa Plastic Ono Band. Her bold confessions and wallop cannot be ignored. The blistering wit of "Holiday Resort" starts like lyrical shards ripped from a journal, but ends with rationalization growing from love.
STAR HORSE
You Said Forever
[LP/CD](StarTracks SWE)
CHAIN WALLET
No Ritual
[LP/CD](Jansen Records NOR)
Swedish shoegazers Star Horse and Norwegian band Chain Wallet are two of the bright new stars in that shimmering universe. Star Horse effortlessly combines the breathlessness of Cocteau Twins with the zoom of Slowdive. "You Said Forever" hides their melodies beneath sheets of effects until the album ends with the thrilling "Albatross." When you reach the gentle lilt of this beauty, you just have to start all over again.
Chain Wallet is what a-ha (its second mention here) could have been with more melody and less bombast. "Ride" is easily one of the most enthralling singles of the year. Simple and to the point, it begs to be on MTV circa 1986. Elsewhere, "No Ritual" takes some neat mid-tempo dance pop and always gives you a chorus worthy of a John Hughes film.
LE VILLEJUIF UNDERGROUND
When Will the Files in Deauville Drop?
[LP/CD](Born Bad Records FRA)
SUNWATCHERS
Illegal Moves
[LP/CD](Trouble in Mind)
Sometimes the most experimental music is made by just forgetting about trends and seeing what direction composition takes you. France's Le Villejuif Underground feel like a re-envisioned Pavement. "Deauville" is bursting with woozy, weird, oft-kilter grooves. "Backpackers," "Postmaster Failure" and especially the clever "Wuhan Girl" are all made impossibly clever, thanks to the Lou Reed-meets-Mark E.Smith detached rasp of their Australian lead singer.
Definitely one to look for more from in the future.
New York's Sunwatchers harken back to the age of skronk, when songs were jazzy by nature but typically overloaded with ideas. What differentiates Sunwatchers from the others is that they really are not trying to be jazzy. "Beautiful Crystals" erupts from its Krautrock lock-step pulse with a beautiful melody that is reminiscent of Gong. "Greeneyed Pigmen" goes wildly Prog with a touch of Camper Van Beethoven-esque psychedelia. The best part about Sunwatchers is when they actually try to sound jazzy on Alice Coltrane's "Ptah, The El Daoud" it sounds like a thunderous Rock song.
