More gems from 2015
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There is so much聽stellar music being made in this DIY, record-company-free age, we don鈥檛 have enough space to flag every deserving album each week. So, shoehorn in hand, I will try to cram in a few more hidden gems from 2015.
Let鈥檚 start with singer/songwriters. We all know superstar Adele, of course, but are you hip to fellow Brit Laura Marling? Her album 鈥淪hort Movie鈥 is slaying the critics, and her husky-voiced, Greta Garbo persona will have you hanging on every word. Check out her stirring 鈥淔alse Hope.鈥 The winsome baroque pop of American Julia Holter鈥檚 debut 鈥淗ave You in My Wilderness鈥 is unique and affecting. 鈥淣ashville Obsolete鈥 is the second album from Dave Rawlings Machine, and it sizzles with reinvention of the Americana oeuvre. Give 鈥淭he Weekend鈥 a listen. Philly hipster Kurt Vile conjured up a laid-back masterpiece in 2015 with 鈥淏鈥檒ieve I鈥檓 Goin Down.鈥 Its winning single 鈥淧retty Pimpin鈥 is an infectious gem.
It was a fine year for veteran bands. The minimalist outfit Low from Duluth, Minn., released the hypnotizing collection 鈥淥nes and Sixes,鈥 featuring the haunting 鈥淟ies.鈥 Boise, Idaho鈥檚 favorite sons Built to Spill roared back with 鈥淯ntethered Moon鈥 after a six-year hiatus, and it鈥檚 a rock guitar fan鈥檚 dream. Aussies Tame Impala (鈥淐urrents鈥) got poppier with the exhilarating single 鈥淟et it Happen,鈥 and St. Louis favorites the Bottle Rockets spawned the hooky, instant classic 鈥淢onday (Every Time I Turn Around).鈥 British bands Django Django and Belle and Sebastian also cranked out tuneful pop gems in 2015.
New bands that perked up my ears this year: Philly indie rockers Hop Along delivered big fun and surprising twists and turns on 鈥淧ainted Shut.鈥 And fellow Philly band Beach Slang rocked my flip-flops 鈥 check out 鈥淏ad Art & Weirdo Ideas鈥 to catch the buzz. It must still be 1970 out West 鈥 just give California newcomers Promised Land Sound and GospelbeacH a listen, and wear a flower in your hair.聽
And keeping sweet soul alive and kicking are Nashville charmer Willie and the Giant and newcomer Leon Bridges from Fort Worth, Texas.
It鈥檚 been a very good music year (especially in Philadelphia). Time to pop those earbuds in!聽