Welcome back to Weekly Gems, I’m your host, KC Flanagan, and today we will dive into KCSU’s top 10 albums of the week. Let’s get started!
- No Love Lost to Kindness by Yumi Zouma
No Love Lost to Kindness is an indie rock album that was released early this year, featuring exciting, energetic drum beats and innovative production. The softer vocals are similar to some pop tracks, however, the grungy guitar lines darken the tone of each track. The result is a uniquely mixed album that has a great flow between songs, aiding in the musical storytelling throughout the record. Our featured track this week is Cross My Heart and Hope To Die.
- Atlanta by Gnarls Barkley
Gnarls Barkley has been making a statement on KCSU’s top 10, and this week they are back with Atlanta. This album has an old-soul feel that gets mixed with electronics to create a jazzy, hip-hop, pop record. Several tracks provide social commentary on current events, utilizing CeeLo Green’s vocals to deliver their message. Our featured track this week is the last song on the album, “Accept It”.
- Quicksand Heart by Jenny On Holiday
Quicksand Heart is a modern indie-rock album with driving drum beats, emotional vocals, and grungy guitars. The album has synthpop elements and effects reminiscent of 80s pop ballads. The album explores the loss of childhood and finding acceptance in the world, and tracks like “These Streets I Know” emphasize that change is not always easy. Our featured track this week is “Do You Still Believe In Me”, an emotionally charged track about growth and loss.
- Great Horizon by d’Lovelies
d’Lovelies, based out of Lyons, Colorado, have a unique sound to their music. Mixing jazz, blues, and folk music, each track feels simultaneously played in a saloon and a late-night jazz show. The record features several horn players who show their musical prowess through their soloing, showcasing their language and experience. The vocals are mixed from around the band, and it creates a warm, welcoming sound in the album for the listener. Our featured track, “A Good Man Is Hard To Find”, leans more into the folk side of the album while still featuring jazz and blues elements.
- Arms Around The World by Arms Around The World
This album combines modern grunge with the feel of the foggy cliffs of Oregon and Washington. If it’s possible to make an album that feels exactly like where it’s from, then Arms Around The World has done just that. Grungy, distorted guitar, heavy bass, and driving drums help curate the specific vibe of this record, which feels vintage in its sound but modern with the lyrics. Our featured track this week is “Dust”, which uses heavy distortion and rhythm to push towards a modern rock feel.
- In Search of Revival by The Olympians
The Olympians have released a soulful, R&B record that is entirely instrumental. Many of the tracks have vibraphone and backing strings, which remind me of old 60’s commercial music. Others have introspective horn solos that draw in cool jazz influence. Several songs have notable instrumental features, such as “Honey Bea,” which primarily focuses on the guitar melody until the horns add in, however, the album spreads the love across the entire band. Our featured track this week is “Here Comes Ben”.
- Even The Devil Smiles by .idk.
IDK is a new hip hop and rap artist whose music is energetic and uncompromising. The album is approachable for new and old hip hop listeners, and many of the tracks have collaborations with other artists that the audience can connect with as well, such as Joey Valence and Brae, No ID, and MF Doom. Last week’s featured track, P.O., reminded me specifically of some older hip-hop, however, this week’s featured track, “Stigma”, is entirely modern and fresh.
- Glass Minds by The Archive
The Archive released this album back in February, and it has been a KCSU favorite throughout the summer. This record has dark, introspective lyrics set over a mixture of dark rock and electronic pads. Some of the songs are a bit less mainstream, adding to the record’s disturbing and unnatural feel. Our featured track this week is a cinematic, evolving song called “Where I Am” that devolves from a soft lyrical feature to an emotional, weighted, orchestrated piece to end the album.
- See You When You Get Back by Inner Wave
Inner Wave’s album from earlier in the year is an example of current alternative music, which has distorted lyrics over floating guitar lines. The album draws from Latin, rock, and pop influences to develop a signature sound still reflective of the current industry. I’ve compared the album previously to some of The Strokes and Gorillaz music in its production and effects. Our featured track this week is “All of The Things”, a lower tempo track that is reflective of change and loss.
- Solaire by Yael Naim
Yael Naim’s lyrics and vocals are the feature of our top album at KCSU. Throughout Solaire, she delivers an exceptional performance that explores love and loss over synthy pads. Her album utilizes acoustic instrumentation alongside electronics that both support her spiraling lyrics through an emotional journey. Our featured track this week is “Dream”, the album’s opener, which sets the album off strong with introspective questions about loss and change that carry on throughout the record.
Check back next week for more Weekly Gems from KCSU!