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!
- The Confuser by Robin Hitchcock
This album brings psychedelic rock into a modern world, with romantic, spiraling lyrics accompanied by intricate arrangements of guitar and synth. Robyn Hitchcock draws inspiration from the 60’s British pop-rock scene, and the album’s mixing and production create an exciting listening experience, especially on tracks like “Dead Astronaut”. Our featured track this week is “Breathless”, which utilizes some jazz harmonic movement to disorient and guide the listener on an emotional journey.
- Halcyon Blues by Citizen
Citizen has a modern emo-rock sound that emphasizes emotional lyricism and floating guitar lines. This album has a variety of music within it, from harder, post-punk tracks like “Matador” to slower, contemplative songs like “Always the Last One to Leave”. This album has something for everyone, and each track is united by Citizen’s strong vocals and overarching themes of overcoming rough struggles, experiencing loss, and finding individuality. Our featured track this week is “Halcyon Blues”.
- Feels Like Destiny by Skinny Hightower
Feels Like Destiny is a high-energy jazz album that explores modulation, style shifts, and what jazz sounds like in a modern era of fusion and electronics. The album reminds me of early 2000s Joshua Redman, modern Bob Reynolds, and some Oscar Peterson records. If you’re looking for an introduction to instrumental jazz, Skinny Hightower provides a fresh listening experience that incorporates multiple genres into a modern jazz experience. Our featured track this week is “Strides”.
- Electric Hour by Sword II
Electric Hour is one of the older albums on the list; however, the grungy, alternative sound is perfect for a cold autumn day. By using overdubbing, distortion, and minor reverb, Sword II creates a foggy atmosphere for their music that fits perfectly with KCSU’s alternative collection. Our featured track this week, “Sentry”, is slightly more down-tempo and relaxed than other songs off the record, and the melancholic lyrics create an atmospheric experience.
- 5 Minutes of Passion by Michael Rubin
This folk album is a collection of country-folk tunes with energetic harmonica. Michael Rubin provides comfort and commentary on community and social issues, exploring unity and freedom. Using blues, folk, and country feels throughout his music, Rubin allows his lyrics to be supported by the different musicians on the tracks, often playing long, bluesy instrumental passages before singing, similar to historical blues tracks. Our featured track this week is “Dig That Ditch”.
- Pylon by Beabadoobee
If you’ve tuned into KCSU recently, you might have gotten a sneak peek at Beabadoobee’s new album Pylon, which was released recently with high praise and great reception. The record has some deeper, darker instrumentals and lyrics compared to some of her other releases, but it creates an intense, mature sound that fans of Beabadoobee are loving. Our featured track, “Nothing To Prove”, features Hayley Williams and was on KCSU’s early listening of the album.
- Drive-Thru Confessional by Mise En Scene
Drive-Thru Confessional is an indie-rock album that feels at home in a coming-of-age film, or on a road trip. While uplifting and peaceful in some tracks, others are uncertain and downtempo, which creates a cohesive story as questions are answered. Mise En Scene writes some of the lyrics to be depressing or frustrated; however, when set over the upbeat, major chords in most of the album, this creates a complex atmosphere for the listener. Our featured track this week is “Days of Our Lives”, which emphasizes that songwriting technique.
- Throw the Dice by Soft Loft
Soft Loft, based in Switzerland, is an indie-pop group that demonstrates high musicianship with finger-picking guitar, clear vocals, and deeply layered lyric writing. Throw The Dice stands out amongst a group of indie-pop releases this September, and the effort to incorporate folk into their sound is not lost, as it aids in the feeling of comfort and visibility within the album. Our featured track this week is “Told”.
- No Love Lost to Kindness by Yumi Zouma
Yumi Zouma has created an emotionally charged, complex soft rock album that ranges from faster, more upbeat tracks to somber melodies with soft guitar. Much of the record reflects on childhood, accomplishing dreams, and moving forward in the face of burnout and rejection. Last week, we heard “95”, a song about struggles with expectations and working as an artist in the current climate. This week, our featured track is “Drag”, which is a harmonically dense track about girlhood and overcoming mental health struggles.
- Lost Weekend by Phoebe Bridgers
Lost Weekend showcases many sides of grief, exploring different aspects of loss and acceptance through Phoebe Bridgers’ lyrics and songwriting. This album has made a huge impact on the charts since its release in August, when it was sent to planetariums for an early showing, accompanied by satellite and NASA video and imagery to create an immersive experience of humanity and accepting acute loss in an expansive universe. Our featured track this week, “Governor’s Waltz”, is about past relationships and trying to make sense of a lost connection.
Check back next week for more recapping of KCSU’s top 10 albums of the week!