More gems from 2015
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
