EIAC: Jihae, Lykke Li, Kristoffer Ragnstam, Sunfold, and What Laura Says
I didn’t have to work on Friday, so I had some quality time to take new albums for a spin.
Artist: Jihae
Album: After Thought
Recommended if you like: quirky singer-songwriter chicks
From their press kit:
Jihae’s voice is melancholic but defiant. At times cynical, but always resolute. Her hypnotic rhythms are seductive and her lyrics, subversively sentimental and knowing. The dynamics of her music carry each story and poem into a dreamworld, featuring daring arrangements on voice, guitar, cello, viola, bass, synth, drums, percussion and programmed beats.
Standout Tracks: “Simple Man”, “Cement Garden”
Worth a second listen?:
If you like chill music that features breathy chick vocals, this is all you.
More info: official/myspace
Listen: “Simple Man” (stream or right-click-and-save-as to dl)
Artist: Lykke Li
Album: Youth Novels
Recommended if you like: electronica, chick vocals with a swedish accent, stuff produced by Bjorn of Peter, Bjorn and John fame
From their press kit:
“She’s got the charming eccentricity of Regina Spektor and the confident cool of M.I.A.” - Blender
Standout Tracks: “I’m Good. I’m Gone”, “Little Bit”
Worth a second listen?:
I’ve never really been a fan of this kind of electronica, it kinda reminds me of the stuff my best friend used to torture me with when we were younger (stuff like Aphex Twin, god damn that shit is boring to listen to.) What saves this for me is the vocals (think Bjork during the early Sugarcubes period). So yeah, I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either.
More info: official/myspace
Listen: “Breaking It Up” (yt)
Artist: Kristoffer Ragnstam
Album: Wrong Side of the Room
Recommended if you like: Swedish indie-pop
From their press kit:
“Evolving from months of world travels and emotional stamps in his sentimental passport, Ragnstam’s follow up to last year’s Sweet Bills effortlessly floats from humorous self-examination to discovering the comfort in discomfort, once again displaying his knack for great melodies.”
Standout Tracks: “Disco Fiasco”, “I Heard About My Own Death On The Radio”
Worth a second listen?:
This was fun to listen to - some very funny lyrics and upbeat melodies throughout.
More info: official/myspace
Listen: “Swing That Tambourine”
Artist: Sunfold
Album: Toy Tugboats
Recommended if you like: the Annuals
From their press kit:
“Kenny Florence has an amazing voice which just can’t be ignored…unlike many ‘side-projects’, Sunfold stands on it’s own two feet…the amazing melodies make the songs shine.” --Triangle Music
Standout Tracks: “Sailed Off To The Sea","To Wake The Eye”
Worth a second listen?:
I had heard some tracks live on the last couple of Annuals shows, so I was already hip to the totally different sound and vibe of Sunfold. A few songs have a jazzy feel to them. No, not that crappy “smooth jazz”, but the kind that you would hear in a smoky piano bar in NOLA. Overall, a solid album.
More info: official on Terpsikhore/myspace
Listen: “Sara The American Winter” (stream or right-click-and-save-as to dl)
Artist: What Laura Says
Album: Thinks and Feels
Recommended if you like: “breezy mix of pop and rock with folk influences” - Flagstaff Live!
From their press kit:
What Laura Says’ upcoming album gives us all a breath of fresh musical air. The band focuses on producing a new sound, and something completely uncharacteristic of what would be considered mainstream in this country. “American radio music tends to let people down,” said bassist Mitch Freedom, and this album gives every indication that these guys are willing to step out of the box.” - Phoenix Art Space
Standout Tracks: “Illustrated Manual”, “Pairadice”
Worth a second listen?:
Some of the pub I read compared WLS to Ben Folds. I’ll agree with that to some extent, especially on “Illustrated Manual” and “Pairadice”. Not surprising that these are my faves on the album. I think you have to be in a good space to listen to this though. If you’re in a meh mood, the upbeat vibe will make you want to throw the cd across the room. (Not that I did that though. It was just a fleeting thought that came to me when I was writing this. Haha.)
More info: official/myspace
Listen: “July 23” (stream or right-click-and-save-as to dl)
