This is one of the best weeks for new album releases in a while – the list of bands with fresh drops reads like a line-up for Coachella. With at least a dozen popular artists like The Drums, The Kooks, Grouplove, Blitzer Trapper, Neon Indian, Girls, Mates of State, St. Vincent, Robbers on High Street, and Memoryhouse releasing new albums this week, it means that you have quite a number of albums to add to your collection, and/or to add to your wish list for Christmas.
For the past week, we’ve already heard some of the most anticipated LPs, like those from The Drums, The Kooks, Mates of State, Grouplove and Neon Indian. The fantastic singles from these albums make for a great mix that you can stream or download. Plus, there are other noteworthy singles below from lesser-known, new-to-us, and radar love bands.
Right out of the gate, we wanted to start off with one of the best debuts of 2011 from IRC Breakout Band of 2011, Los Angeles indie/alt rock band, Grouplove. We have so much to say about them, but we’re saving it for the upcoming Breakout Bands of 2011 feature series wherein IRC readers, like they did in 2010, will pick the top “new” bands of 2011.
The band’s lead single, “Colours,” is one of the best songs of 2011. If there is one band we think of when listening to Grouplove, it would have to be the Pixies. That’s not to say at all that Grouplove are comparable to Pixies in any way other than Grouplove have obviously been influenced by the alternative rock icons.
“Colours” – Grouplove from Never Trust a Happy Song
Next, The Drums keep it rolling, and demonstrate a musical and creative maturation, with their sophomore album, Portamento. The first single, “Money,” pretty much follows the anthemic summer pop sound that made them a buzz band in 2010. But the band also reveal a completely different sound with the track “Searching For Heaven.” If we hadn’t known it was The Drums, we’d never have guessed. What do you think about this bold step in a new direction for the band?
“Money” – The Drums from Portamento
Double-shot: “Searching For Heaven” – The Drums from Portamento
Up next is the Konk Studio recording artist, and one of our favorite U.K. indie bands, The Kooks, who don’t disappoint with their newest LP, Junk of the Heart. In addition to the widely circulated lead track, “It Is Me,” we also threw in the title track for good measure.
“Is It Me” – The Kooks from Junk of the Heart (stream album)
“Junk of the Heart (Happy)” – The Kooks from Junk of the Heart
And if that wasn’t enough, there’s also a double-shot of Neon Indian, and two standout tracks from their sophomore album, and of course the lead single from Blitzen Trapper‘s new LP, American Goldwing, which is available to listen to in its entirety at the stream link below.
“Polish Girl” – Neon Indian from Era Extrana (stream album)
Double-shot: “Fallout” – Neon Indian from Era Extrana
“Love the Way You Walk Away”– Blitzen Trapper from American Goldwing (stream album)
Plus, listen to new songs that include sweet tracks from Teen Daze, ANR, Pajama Club and others.
“The Harvest” – Teen Daze from A Silent Planet
“New Armor” – ANR from Stay Kids Deluxe Edition
“Quiet America” – Memoryhouse from The Years EP
“Surgeon” – St. Vincent from Strange Mercy
If you’re at work, fair warning: the wonderfully energetic track “Maracas” from Mates of State might cause you to get up in your cubical and dance. The same can be said for the following track from Robbers on High Street. It just made sense those two tracks where back to back in this mix.
Then the Shimmering Stars jump in the time machine back to 1965 British Invasion tracking on their new single, plus Girls, Pajama Club, Barn Owl, Big Harp and many others.
“Maracas” – Mates of State from Mountaintops (album stream)
“Hey Unbelievers” – Robbers On High Street from Hey There Golden Hair
“I’m Gonna Try”– Shimmering Stars from Violent Hearts
“Vomit”– Girls from Father, Son, Holy Ghost Sounds
“These Are Conditions” – Pajama Club from Pajama Club
“Two Cousins” – Slow Club from Paradise – mp3 via Musicforants
“Dimitri Mendeleev” – Astronautilis from This Is Our Science
“White Elephant” – Ladytron from Gravity the Seducer
“Turiya” – Barn Owl from Lost in the Glare
“Glowing Mouth” – Milagres from Glowing Mouth
“Thankful” – Caveman from CoCo Beware (self-released)
Full Album Streams for Week of Sept. 13
Blondie: Stream album Panic of Girls
Bush: Stream album The Sea of Memories
Chuck Ragan: Stream album Covering Ground
The Devil Wears Prada: Stream album Dead Throne