#bestalbumsof2017s

[therevue]

#FavoriteAlbumsof2017: Bully – 'Losing' ... Bringing the noise, attitude, and poignant lyricism to Music City, Bully's sophomore album, 'Losing', once again recaptures the spirit and energy of the early ’90s with a record that is both a personal account and a political statement. 'Losing' is a tsunami of a rock album. And it's awesome! Through 12 songs and 37 minutes, Bully unleash wave after wave of bangers, commencing with the urgent and explosive “Feel the Same”, continuing with the propulsive "Kills to Be Resistant", and ending with the gritty attack, “Hate and Control”. There are more “tender” moments – such as on “Blame” and “Focused” – yet a fire still burns inside. A fire, a rage, a desire to be heard, seen, and understood, and all eyes and ears are pointed towards Bully. ... #Bestof2017 #bestalbumsof2017s #bestalbums #Bullyband #Losing #altrock #grunge #alternative #indierock #music #indiemusic #newmusic #newmusicdiscovery #pressplay #takealisten

[therevue]

#FavoriteAlbumsof2017: Wolf Parade – 'Cry Cry Cry' ... It’s easy to forget the impact Wolf Parade had on Generation X’ers and, to an extent, Millennials. Whereas Nirvana represented our teenage angst in the ’90s, Wolf Parade revealed the concerns and uncertainties of people as the world in the mid-2000s was rapidly changing. Their fourth studio album, Cry Cry Cry, is a reminder of the quartet’s sonic and intellectual power. Through each of the ten songs, the Montreal-based band express their concern and disbelief following the 2016 election (“Am I an Alien Here”, “King of Piss and Paper”) and what a post-apocalyptic world could be (“Weaponized”, “Lazarus Online”). These aren’t just songs meant to entertain – these are songs intended to provoke, challenge, and protest. 'Cry Cry Cry', as such, is not merely a remarkable comeback, but an album that ensures Wolf Parade’s relevance and legacy extend for another decade and more. ... #Bestof2017 #bestalbumsof2017s #bestalbums #WolfParade #CryCryCry #indierock #music #indiemusic #newmusic #newmusicdiscovery #pressplay #takealisten

[therevue]

#FavoriteAlbumsof2017: Perfume Genius – 'No Shape' ... Mike Hadreas' fourth album as Perfume Genius, 'No Shape', is a celebration. A celebration of one’s existence disguised as an esoteric-pop opera. Throughout this concept album, Hadreas takes us on a journey that peers through the eyes of the protagonist (often Hadreas himself), of his lover, and that of God. In most cases, what we witness is something exhilarating and monumental. From the slow-building jubilation of opener “Otherwise”, the technicolor cinema of “Slip Away”, the Prince-esque funk of “Go Ahead”, and the soaring euphoria of “Wreath", Hadreas has us on the edges of our seats and applauding every act. As the curtain falls following the beautiful love ballad “Alan”, the show ends. For now that is because 'No Shape' is like the great classics – one that must and should be revisited often. It is bold, ambitious, and beautiful. It is the grandest of all of 2017’s spectacles. ... #Bestof2017 #bestalbumsof2017s #bestalbums #PerfumeGenius #MikeHadeas #NoShape #indiepop #symphonicpop #cinematicpop #music #indiemusic #newmusic #newmusicdiscovery #pressplay #takealisten

[therevue]

#FavoriteAlbumsof2017: Real Estate – 'In Mind' ... Real Estate are like an old friend. They consistently deliver what every fan expects from them – warm and hazy indie rock that you can easily spin from start to finish and feel completely satisfied. Last year, the band parted ways with their long time guitarist, and that threw that consistency into question. However, on their fourth record, 'In Mind', they’ve created a record that is both true to their sound and expands it immensely. Like catching up with an old friend, there are some surprises, such as the synth-driven opener “Darling”. “Two Arrows” which has an ending comparable to The Beatles’ “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)”, complete with the abrupt ending. But then there are the familiar stories and sounds that we immediately can relate with, such as on “Stained Glass” and “Same Sun”. While 'In Mind' isn't the groundbreaker like 'Days', it’s damn good and the perfect chill-out record. . ... #Bestof2017 #bestalbumsof2017s #bestalbums #RealEstatetheband #InMind #janglepop #indierock #music #indiemusic #newmusic #newmusicdiscovery #pressplay #takealisten

[therevue]

#FavoriteAlbumsof2017: Noga Erez – 'Off the Radar' ... Every once in a while, an artist arrives who makes you re-evaluate your musical choices. Israeli artist Noga Erez is one of them. She is not the typical producer and singer-songwriter; instead, she’s a trailblazer, crafting an ambitious style that is dark and edgy yet tantalizingly hypnotic. She’s M.I.A., Phantogram, BANKS, and The Weeknd mixed into a single creative force. All this is revealed on her remarkable debut album, 'Off The Radar'. From the propulsive “Dance While You Shoot” to the hypnotic “Balkada” to the booming “Noisy“, Erez displays her many deep and complex layers. While as a composer she’s an innovator, lyrically she is a genius. Her words are heavy, and they are politically and socially driven, addressing powerlessness of women (“Pity”), apathy (“Worth None”), and self-worth (“Off the Radar). Bold, brilliant, and a star in the making, soon everyone will succumb to Erez's power. ... #Bestof2017 #bestalbumsof2017s #bestalbums #NogaErez #OfftheRadar #experiemental #RnB #electropop #music #indiemusic #newmusic #newmusicdiscovery #pressplay #takealisten

[therevue]

#FavoriteAlbumsof2017: Noah Gundersen – 'White Noise' ... Seattle singer/songwriter Noah Gundersen takes listeners on an emotional roller-coaster ride with his third full-length album, 'WHITE NOISE'. The slow-burning opener "After All (Everything All the Time)" rivals ballads from The War On Drugs and Strand of Oaks yet maintains Gundersen's trademark restraint. Hearing him sing, "I want to see you tonight, one last time," on "Bad Desire" elicits bittersweet emotions. The rainy day tones of "Bad Actors" and the piano-driven "New Religion" remain planted in the mellow category, but Gundersen's vulnerability through lyrical honesty and musical simplicity is what defines his craft. The haunting strings of "Wake Me Up, I'm Drowning stir your soul and take your breath away. Perhaps that's why we kept coming back to 'WHITE NOISE': it offers warm comfort on those days when you need to escape the white noise of the world and seek refuge in beautiful, therapeutic music. ... #Bestof2017 #bestalbumsof2017s #bestalbums #NoahGundersen #WhiteNoise #Americana #folkrock #singersongwriter #music #indiemusic #newmusic #newmusicdiscovery #pressplay #takealisten

[therevue]

#FavoriteAlbumsof2017: Julia Holter – 'In the Same Room' ... It’s usually hard to make a case for a live record to be on a best of list. We’ve heard many of Julia Holter’s songs through her various releases. When transplanted into a live environment, however, these songs thrive and the result is the finest release in Holter’s catalogue, and an album we can’t ignore in our top albums list. 'In The Same Room' captures the transcendent experience of a Julia Holter live show right on record, and it’s glorious. It is magical. ... #Bestof2017 #bestalbumsof2017s #bestalbums #JuliaHolter #experimental #indie #music #indiemusic #newmusic #newmusicdiscovery #pressplay #takealisten

[therevue]

#FavoriteAlbumsof2017: Future Islands – 'The Far Field' ... Future Islands are the reigning royalty of indie synth-pop. For more than a decade, they have cemented a reputation for both showmanship and craftsmanship. Now with the release of their fifth album, 'The Far Field', we ask the one question on the lips of fans and critics alike: does this trio still have the magic that’s put propelled them to the pinnacle of their career? Without a doubt, the answer is a unanimous yes. 'The Far Field' is a sumptuous treat, full of ’80s new wave-inspired bass lines and pulse-quickening beats. And much like their previous efforts, the Baltimore-based trio once again make bleak feel good, such as on the cinematic "Ran" and the lonely anthem, "Cave". With this latest record, Future Islands have rightly assumed the throne vacated by ’80s legends like New Order, Joy Division, and The Smiths. But where those bands thrived on gloom, Future Islands instead infuse hope and sunlight on even the bleakest days. ... #Bestof2017 #bestalbumsof2017s #bestalbums #FutureIslands #TheFarField #synthpop #indiepoprock #music #indiemusic #newmusic #newmusicdiscovery #pressplay #takealisten