A review collection of my personal music library:
Dealer’s choice: “The ArchAndroid” by Janelle Monáe
The music video to Janelle Monáe’s 2010 single Cold War presents only a slither of the narrative richness of her debut album The ArchAndroid – and yet, it is a masterpiece that embraces simplicity and emotion to get to the core of this Afrofuturistic, genre-bending concept piece: the road to self-realisation and love is a…
Dealer’s choice: “Pendulum Swing” by Laish
I saw Laish play live during my first year at university. Danny Green, the band’s front man, singer and songwriter, was performing solo as the support act for some Icelandic or Norwegian indie band who’s name I have since forgotten. I have to admit, I didn’t even stay until the end of their act. But…
Dealer’s choice: “The High Country” by Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
When you read the band name Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, your immediate association may not be Midwestern indie pop reminiscent of the 1990s. But it is exactly what you get from this group of five that met just before the turn of the century and named themselves after the first Russian president after…
Dealer’s choice: “Loveworm” by beabadobee
When you get a first glimpse at the cover art for beabodobee’s EP Loveworm – heck, the first moment you read Beatrice Kristi Laus’ stage name – the immediate fear is a lack of musical maturity. It looks like the sweeter, more innocent cousin of Snoop Dogg’s Doggystyle, the bubblegum pink worms as a precursor…
Dealer’s choice: “Resolution” by Shamir
The only way to describe Shamir’s voice is otherworldly. There is no category, no genre, not even a voice type that can be ascribed to this vocal talent that so easily swings from soulful lows to birdlike highs. Defying borders and categories, encompassing it all instead of settling for a certain definition – that is…
The Dad Anthology 