We're about half way through 2011, and so far there's been some pretty good stuff! PJ Harvey, Radiohead, Destroyer, Cults, Fleet Foxes, Cut Copy, Tune Yards, and plenty of other acts have made our last year before the apocalypse well worth our while. But what have we to look forward to heading into summer and fall? Well quite a bit actually! Read on if you dare! Or something.
5. Bjork- Biophillia- release date TBA
Over the past few years and couple releases, Bjork has ejected much of the slightly tragic innocence and cultural naivety from her persona. She's transitioned into something of a more matriarchal, even monarchical role. Between tracks like “Oceania” and “Declare Independence” she has become downright domineering. While this new role has grown increasingly divisive among fans- Volta was not as universally well received as past offerings- I really like it! Bjork's been by no means absent from the industry, as she's been involved in multiple collaborative efforts, but it it's been too long since a full LP. The announcement of Biophillia- cryptically dubbed as some sort of multi media project, now appears to be just what we need to fill the gap. Biophillia goes far beyond just another collection of songs, as every track will also be released with a corresponding ipad app. The functionality and connectivity of the songs and the apps so far has yet to be fully disclosed, all though one appears to be some sort of space invaders style mini game, with the catch being if you win, the song ends prematurely. Judging by the slightly bewildering but undeniably cool new website Bjork's put up, where you can hear some of her insight on the process, Biophillia will be nothing if not interesting. Remember back when people thought it was weird when she made an album without instruments?
Check out the first track “Crystalline”
4. Little Dragon- Ritual Reunion- July 12
Little Dragon's last album, Machine Dreams, was one of my favourite of 2009; It's colourful blend of slightly crass industrial cacophony and swiftly paced asiatic bells and whistles in conjunction with Yukami Nagano's enthusiastic and soothing voice created and intensely engaging and stimulating record. Sometimes pedigree is all it takes. At this point, little is known about the new album, titled Ritual Reunion, other than that it's coming July 12, a track listing, and one previewed track. Titled “Nightlight”, the song certainly exudes many of the trade mark Little Dragon characteristics and mannerisms, but seems decidedly darker. Intriguing as it is, it leaves me even more curious about the final product. But if the group's previous work and collaborations with acts like Gorillaz are any indication, I wont want to miss it.
Check out “Nightlight” here
3.YACHT- Shangri-La- June 21
My first exposure to YACHT was a dorky kid awkwardly hunched over a mac book churning out sterile and anemic music to an anxious crowd just waiting for it to end. I had pretty much written off YACHT after that. It turns out all he needed to do was supplement his disaffecting husks of technology with an actual band. In 2009, YACHT released their first LP, See Mystery Lights. It was one of the most diverse, unique and adventurous collection of songs of the year. Delving into issues such as cultural stagnation, internet phraseology, and religion, it was a lot to wrap your head around. While it's still too early to tell what the subject matter of the new album will be, some inferences can be made from what we know so far. Shangri-La is something of a fabled promised land, while the lead single “Dystopia” is about anything but, focusing instead on a world burning. Does the new album explore the dichotomy of utopia and dystopia? Or are band members Jona Bechtolt and Claire L. Evans, just fucking with us. Either way, the first single is about as epic as anything YACHT has ever done, with full bombastic synth notes bursting through the speaker. It's already one of the better tracks I've heard this year. Shangri-La was just released on June 21 and you can stream it on NPR.
Shangri-La is out now, check out the weird as shit video for the first two stunning tracks
2. M83- untitled- October
While the new M83 is still a few agonizing months away, and currently lacking a title, Anthony Gonzalez has been very forthcoming with the details. Speaking to publications such as Spin and Pitchfork we've learned that it will be a double album, heavy on the orchestration- as opposed to the more pop like instrumentation of Saturdays = Youth, and in his own words “it's going to be very, very epic”. For those familiar with M83 that is goddamn tantalizing. I don't know how much epic you can get after tracks like “Highway of Endless Dreams”, not to mention his earlier work. Morgan Kirby, the female vocalist who contributed to Saturdays will be still be featured but not as prominently. Her role will be largely supplemented by Zola Jesus, an artist who seems to transition from lo fi to crystalline synth, but always with a sense of grandeur. Here's hoping for another video full of synchronized roller skating!
1. The Rapture- In The Grace of Your Love- September 6
It's been 6 years since the Rapture's last (amazing) album. With such a long absence it seemed that the group was content to be relegated to the status of forgotten relics of a scene that they once excelled at defining. Truth be told, I was unaware that the Rapture was even a functional entity at this point. Imagine my surprise and jubilation when I read an interview with frontman Luke Jenner that not only is the Rapture still intact, but a new album was on the way that was going to be, in his words “100 fucking times better than the ipad!” It's a bizarre and enticing way to promote an album to say the least, exactly the kind of branding I would hope to expect from The Rapture. Since then we've learned not only is Philippe Zdar, of Phoenix fame, producing, but the band is back on DFA! Such an arrangement, as was the case with the band's first album, Echos, is bursting with possibilities and potential. The Rapture, under the encompassing influence of DFA frontman James Murphy will be an irresistibly catchy force. The first track I've heard “Sail Away” has a brilliant sense of wonderment, and has been one of my beats on repeat for a awhile. I am masochistically holding off from listening to the next released track “How Deep Is Your Love?” until the full album drops; But knowing that it's a seven minute long monster and has a two minute saxophone solo is enough to make me foolishly want to deem it song of the year already. The Rapture returns September 6; get the hell ready.
Here's a peak at a live version of “Sail Away”
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