Albums of interest to stream this week:
Animal Collective – Centipede Hz
The band’s ninth album after two initial listens feels like their jam-band album, one indebted most to their Grateful Dead influence. I’ve never been a massive fan of their busy songs, the ones which seem to pile on instruments and create dissonance in the process. But, I need to give this more of a chance before coming to a verdict.
Dan Deacon – America
One listen to this so far properly a couple of weeks ago. First impressions is of a dense record that requires a good few more spins.
JJ Doom’s Keys To The Kuffs
DOOM and Jneiro Jarel’s collaborative album based around London, the city where DOOM was born and is now based. It features guests Damon Albarn and Portishead’s Beth Gibbons.
Good interviews from FACT and The Guardian with DOOM also worth a look.
Jessie Ware – Devotion
Slightly disappointed by this myself. It’s perfectly fine smooth modern soul album, not really my bag but the greatness of ‘110%’ and the Disclosure remix hint at what might have been had the tempo been upped.
Other full album listens:
Chilly Gonzales – Solo Piano II
Holy Other – Held
Matthew Dear – Beams
Swans – The Seer
Wild Nothing – Nocturne
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
I’ve seen Dan Deacon’s four-part USA suite being described as overwrought, but after a few listens I can’t get enough of Part I. It’s in sharp contrast to the fast build and instant thrills of the first half of the album – but, much as I loved Bromst and Spiderman of the Rings, I’m glad to see him change up.
Aye, certainly best not to stay stagnant. Looking forward to delving more into it.
Guardian Doom article is a load of balls