This is pretty cool. A lot of it washed over me tbh, but he's obviously an incredible songwriter (lyrics aside, lol). Really liked the first two trakcs + boi18+next thing+starlight. You can definitely (obviously) hear the VW all over it, but there's less of an edge which is kind of crazy because I don't think of VW as particular edgy in that sense lol. Interested to check out Half-Light based on the above
Once again an album by an artist whose name I’ve seen a bunch but never checked out. This Rotsam album was pretty good. I enjoyed about half of it. From The Back Of A Cab, Kinney, and Bio18 were the standouts for me. It was a nice chill album to listen tonight while relaxing before I went to bed. I definitely hear a lot of Vampire Weekend type things on this album but I think I like this better than I do most Vampire Weekend songs that are similar. I tend to enjoy the faster VW songs anyways. And now I’m rambling. Anyways good pick! Everyone is picking some solid, interesting albums that I wouldn’t normally check out so thank you everyone.
I’m also glad I presented it because all of the comments suggesting Half-Light are going to make me go check that out. As much as I liked this record, I discovered it like a week before Pruning of the Lower Limbs came out and once that record got released, it was a fight for anything else to get my attention, so I will also be going and listening to Half-Light this week!
Was able to listen to this today. Bright and joyous vibes on this thing. Can’t really ask more from an “indie pop” album these days. Just infinitely listenable, though I still think I prefer the experimentation of Half-Light
This is my biggest takeaway on my first listen. You could tell me most of these were VW B-sides and I wouldn't question it. It's kind of washing over me too, but it's not unpleasant at all. The horn parts are the highlights for sure.
Just listened to the bonus tracks. The Train (Stand By Me) is cool. He kinda butchers the Lucinda Williams cover though IMO, especially considering how great the original is.
I really wanted to love this. I actually do love it instrumentally. It has this livel , textured electro-indie rock tone. It’s very free flowing a jazzy at time. I love the sax and faint but frantic guitar solo on Kinney. It is a very summery album and it was nice to listen to on walks looking at the trees starting to bud and the flowers popping out. Unfortunately, his voice just doesnt gel with me. Definitely a talented song writer and there are some great tracks on this (I love 4Runner), but I probably won’t revisit the whole thing.
I def prefer the early VW records with Rostam, as his eccentric songwriting with Ezra’s voice makes for a great combo. Tho I’m happy they both are finding their own niches now
Last week, the day after I shared my pick, a new record came out that I would have shared if I found it a day sooner. Next time!
this week I’m going back to 2009 with St. Vincent - Actor. Actor feels like the moment when Annie Clark first found her voice as an artist by trying on a dozen or so different personas. I love just how perfectly this album captures the quiet desperation of life in the suburbs. It feels like a movie soundtrack for a neighborhood that looks perfect on the outside but is really all but rotten on the inside. John Congleton serves as producer, engineer and mixer on the album and I think he did a fantastic job on all accounts. the sound design here is top-tier throughout. together I think they display a masterclass in tension and release. I hope that you glean something beautiful from it all too. cheers favorite songs: Black Rainbow, Marrow
May be another not for me, i'm afraid. I've really never got on with anything i've heard of hers. I'll still give it a quick spin, though.
Such a great album. I adore the mellotron and vibraphone used throughout—casts a lovely ghostliness to the otherwise buoyant arrangements. Copeland fans would be happy with this album. The whole thing feels theatrical and ethereal without losing its pop appeal. Excited to listen to it again this week
Lianne La Havas was pleasant enough but I could never really get on its wavelength. The Rostam album is better. I like VW so I'm not sure why I never listened to his solo stuff.
St Vincent record is as good as I remember it, which is very, but I still prefer Strange Mercy. Marrow, Strangers, Neighbors, Mouth of Blood are my favorites on here but I really prefer when she’s a bit more rocky and driving. Great, great songwriting and instrumentation though. Feel like the instrumentation is what set her apart when these first three records were coming out, they just have cool and weird sounds all over them. I get why David Byrne was so enamored
I def enjoyed Strange Mercy when I first heard it but didn’t leave as much of an impression as Actor. Might need to return to that one too
Dug Rostam’s album, have only listened to one of his albums years ago prior to this but I remember enjoying it. Pretty great listen for a relaxing morning