Welcome back to Weekly Gems at KCSU! I’m your host for this semester, KC Flanagan, and I’m excited to update you on what KCSU has been spinning! Let’s get started!
- Vol. II by Angine de Poitrine
Angine de Poitrine is a Canadian duo who specializes in experimental math rock music. Their songs showcase mixed meter, odd time feels, and heavy usage of microtonal melodies. The band uses looping pedals on a double-necked guitar and bass, modified with microtonal frets. The duo is known for their large, polka-dot costumes and are portrayed as 333-year-old aliens during their shows and interviews. Our featured track this week is “Sarniezz”, which showcases the microtonality of the guitar and bass, as well as the loop pedal and usage of polyrhythms.
- New Avatar by Kelela
Kelela’s new electronic R&B album was released over the summer. She incorporates shoegaze and alternative indie to reflect her journey through music, focusing on her strength in femininity through R&B feels. Throughout the album, Kelela also has several featured artists, all of whom add to the musical journey for the listener that is reminiscent of electronic house music while staying chill and relaxed. Our featured track this week is “The Bridge”, featuring PinkPantheress.
- No Love Lost to Kindness – Yumi Zouma
Yumi Zouma has been featured several times on Weekly Gems due to her strong emotional lyricism and grungey feel that resonates with our station. The band, from New Zealand, and their previous albums showcased a more dream-pop and young sound. With their newest release, however, the band has dipped into a harder, grungier sound, which has received high praise from fans and critics alike. Our featured track this week is “Phoebe’s Song”.
- Memory be a Blade – Waterbaby
Memory be a Blade is a deep, emotionally driven album, inspired by the artist’s past break-ups, new relationships, and nostalgia. Waterbaby reflects on being true to yourself and trying to grow out of people-pleasing habits. Our featured track this week is “Beck n Call” featuring ttoh, which maintains a chill pop vibe throughout the track with synthesizer, strings, and a catchy beat.
- Pylon – Beabadoobee
This album was released earlier in the semester and has been widely praised. Beabadoobee shifts from her previous, more acoustic and pop sound to a darker, harder indie-rock vibe that carries across the album. Her single, “Nothing to Prove” featuring Hayley Williams, was the feature of an early release here at KCSU, and now her album has become a favorite at the station. Our featured track this week is “Spark”.
- 5 Minutes of Passion by Michael Rubin
Michael Rubin’s album is an old-fashioned folk jam. Often incorporating the blues and country styles into his music, Rubin creates a welcoming, old-fashioned jam that comments on society, politics, and community. All the tracks are based around Rubin’s harmonica, and most have funny satirical lyrics. Our featured track this week is “Gravity”.
- Singin’ to an Empty Chair by Ratboys
This album strives to be more emotionally driven than Ratboys’ previous albums, focusing on relationships with family, connections, and isolation. The album was released back in the spring and resonated strongly with listeners of post-country and rock. Our featured song this week, “The World, So Madly,” deals with nihilism and trying to stay positive in a changing world.
- Helpless Love by Katherine Perkins
This record was released in September and incorporates alternative indie rock with ambient horns. Best described as Americana, Helpless Love explores the countryside and folk traditions within art and society. With soft, smooth vocals backed by exploratory, dreamy horns, Katherine Perkins has created a kind and welcoming album to comfort and console listeners. Our featured track this week is “To the Moon”.
- Electric Hour by Sword II
Sword II has been a feature of Weekly Gems for a few weeks this semester, and their grungy, alternative sound fits within the local Fort Collins scene well. Experimental electronics are used throughout the album, often to support the guitar and distorted, layered vocals. Ranging from psych-pop to electronic rock, Electric Hour is modern and fresh. Our featured track this week is “Who’s Giving You Love”.
- Lost Weekend by Phoebe Bridgers
Phoebe Bridgers has once again delivered an emotional, challenging album, where the deepest parts of grief and guilt are explored. Her songs often discuss the effects of loss and mental health challenges on relationships with a partner and family, and trying to move on from past relationships. Our featured song, “I Can’t Wait,” incorporates more folk and acoustic techniques that add to the electronic pads, and Bridgers discusses issues with dissociation and coming to terms with mental health issues.
Check back next week for more recapping of KCSU’s top 10 albums of the week!