Category: New Album Review

The newest albums, EPs and singles on the air at WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2

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New Album Review

Album Review: Sepultura – Quadra

Quadra (Nuclear Blast), the 15th studio album from Brazil’s own Sepultura, dropped on February 7, 2020. And the offering proves to be a solid record! The diehard Max (vocals/guitar)/Igor (drums) Cavalara era Sepultura fans, looking for a continuous remake of Arise (1991), Chaos A.D. (1993), or Roots (arguably the band’s best record; 1996), will find some familiar ground on which to stand, here. But, for the most part, the band has left that phase of its evolution long ago. This record is simply their best since those early days.

As the title suggests, the album is intentionally divided into four distinct parts, of which old school Sepultura is a part. The other ¾ of the record, however, is a survey of sorts of the band’s musical journey since those days; looking into the future. Andreas Kisser (guitars) is, as usual, incredible as the substance that holds the band in consistency. Paulo Jr (bass) is the other long-standing member, present for decades, that concretizes the sound. Eloy Casagrande (drums) is exceptional as the tribal, driving, time-keeper. And Derrick Green (vocals) is quite a force, both with his powerful chops, but also is giant presence.

Some tracks that are interesting, both in their representation of their respective sections (the Quadra), but also in their own right are: “Isolation,” and what an opening song! Old school thrash, post-modern twist, with crushing death vocals. “Ali” and “Raging Void” mark the next section, and they are groovy and heavy. Very nice. “Guardians of Earth” begins section three, and is an atmospheric track that expresses the talent of the individual pieces of the whole band. “The Pentagram” is an instrumental in the middle of section three. Sepultura has very talented instrumentalists. And this section shows the band moving away from the past and into the future. “Agony of Defeat” gives evidence of Green’s range, with clean vocals, screams, and gutterals. Beautiful! “Fear, Pain, Chaos, Suffering” is the last track on the album. It gives us an idea of the direction Sepultura is going with their sound and style. The song features Emmily Barreto (Far From Alaska) with Green harmonizing (often in gutterals), and superb riffs.

Favorite Songs: Isolation; Ali; Raging Void; Guardians of Earth

Rating: 8.5/10

*Bonus: For more info on the concept of Quadra and Sepultura, listen to my podcast interview with Andreas Kisser, only on The Saw’s Electric Chair, in The Saw’s Butcher Shop on WKNC.

Stay Metal,

THE SAW 

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New Album Review

ALBUM REVIEW: Destroyer – Have We Met

BEST TRACKS: The Raven, Crimson Tide

FCC Violations: Crimson Tide, The Television Music Supervisor, Cue Synthesizer, Foolssong

If you follow Dan Bejar, you probably know that he is a cherished member of indie pop band The New Pornographers, but what you might not know is that Dan Bejar is also the centerpiece of a much moodier rock project, Destroyer. Destroyer recently released an album Have We Met, which earned a whopping 8.5 on Pitchfork, so I was intrigued. When listening to music, I try not to take the album art into consideration but please bear with me as I comment on album art just this one time. I am a very visual person, and am often drawn to albums based solely on enticing album art. I hate when album covers are just a closeup, artsy picture of the artist. It’s just so average and seems very self-absorbed to me. After seeing Have We Met’s boring album cover, I almost didn’t listen to the album but I’m glad I did.

Bejar’s singing style, especially on the 5th track ‘The Raven’, sometimes morphs into a very intimate talking-singing-mumble akin to Jeffrey Lewis’ on the album A Turn in the Dream Songs. The instruments on this album are fairly minimal and simple, emphasizing mostly guitar and electronic keyboard, but the music is far from basic. The solemn, sometimes scattered notes create an exquisitely spooky, chilling atmosphere. Have We Met is dark, eerie, and weird. In fact, Bejar has said that he was influenced by the Twilight Zone and Edgar Allen Poe during the creation of this album. When I listen to this album, I immediately imagine it as the soundtrack to an art gallery exhibit in the MOMA filled with weird, abstract, smooth and spiky black sculptures. Listen to this album if you ever went through a phase where you were obsessed with misty graveyards, the Victorian era, and the supernatural.

-Safia

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New Album Review

Album Review: Somewhere at The Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair – La Dispute

Best Songs: Such Small Hands, Andria, Nobody Not Even the Rain 

La Dispute is a fascinatingly talented band. I’ve never heard anything quite like them before. They incorporate a mix of indie rock, punk, blues, hardcore, progressive rock, and soft acoustics. These musical elements are incorporated with intense vocals that range from spoken word, screaming, singing, and shouting, making the listening experience all the more emotional as it fluctuates with the progressing story of the song. The vocals sound like a confession, a reflection, or a personal journal. Jordan Dreyer, vocalist and primary lyricist, comments on their eclectic variety of genres apparent in their music and vocals, saying “I think boxing art into categories only serves as a way to exclude people from exploring different variations of the same thing. I think the only real definition between artists exists in their intentions for creating art.” He approaches lyrical writing in a story-telling manner by creating different stories and characters, drawing influence from writers such as Edgar Allan Poe, Hemingway, Joan Didion, and Kurt Vonnegut. I saw them live for the first time after being a major fan for many years, and the band members seemed as genuine and honest as their music. Jordan awkwardly two-stepped and spun in circles around the stage while singing, somehow not getting tangled in the mic chord, and gave heart-warming speeches between songs on togetherness, personal struggles, and finding hope in yourself and others. They poured their heart and souls into the stage and the crowd, as they do in every recorded song, and was easily one of the most intimate live performances I’ve witnessed.

Their first album, Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair, is a testament to their profound musical talent, stylistic range, and lyrical capability. Each album follows a story that progresses from start to finish. Somewhere at the Bottom of the River seems to focus on a long-term marriage that falls victim to infidelity, hatred, guilt, and neglected vows as they reflect on their sworn love and the life they built together. The album opens with Such Small Hands, introducing the unbridled anger and darkness caused by lost love and the subsequent demons that once lay dormant, a common theme throughout the album. Damaged Goods, Bury Your Flame, and Said the King to the River capture feverish hysteria with upbeat drums and guitar paired with quickly sung vocals that change. These songs portray the immense frenzy of convoluted emotions as his world and relationship quickly spirals out of control. One of the most popular songs off the album, Andria, details the story of the beginning of their love and the chaos that soon followed. My personal favorite song off the album Last Lost Continent, is a twelve-minute story of removing the blame from either partner and recognizing infidelity as the monster it is as it invades and disrupts families, love, and lives. The protagonist seems to find forgiveness, admitting to his selfishness and the undying love he holds for his partner, family, and friends. The lyrics for this song are breathtaking, beautiful, and complex, and perfectly showcase the emotional process of life and love. They played this song when I saw them live in November 2019 during their Panorama U.S tour and it was everything I dreamed it would be. I may or may not have cried. The emotionally chaotic album ends with the gentle song Nobody, Not Even the Rain. The protagonist reflects on the sacred, treasured details of their love despite the pain they have suffered. This is one of my top five albums of all time, and I believe La Dispute offers something for everyone. 

-Sarah

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New Album Review

Hot New Indie: “If I Am Only My Thoughts” (Loving)

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Loving may be characterized as a “folk-pop” band, but the genre title does not do their new LP’s idyllic nature justice. To be clear though, this album is for particular types of listeners. For those listeners, however, Loving is sure to be a mainstay in the artists they can’t get out of their head. 

Loving nails the “nostalgic” feeling, an effect that is embellished by the fact that the band recorded straight to tape. Flowing guitar leads, pastel piano chords, and silky-smooth vocals bring the listener into the band’s personal wonderland. Anyone who’s the type for daydreaming will certainly be right at home in this headspace. 

The vocalist in particular deserves praise. While he does not show off a large range, his silken tone is precisely what brings the album together. The music is designed for his voice to premier directly in the center. The lackadaisical nature of his lyrics portrays something of the way in which you may stare out the window in contemplation on an overcast day.

Favorites: “If I Am Only My Thoughts”, “Nihilist Kite Flyer”, “Write A River”

-Decent Icon

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New Album Review

Album Review: Which Way is Forward?

Review of Which Way is Forward? by Obongjayar

My favorite songs: Still Sun, Carry Come Carry Go, Frens

Listen if you like: British rap, Danny Brown, King Krule, Fela Kuti  

Obongjayar: a Nigerian, UK-based artist who weaves together mixtures of soulful rap and spoken word with Afrobeat and electronic influences. He completely defies genre while maintaining a relatable sound nostalgic of other British rappers and electronic artists. Obongjayar’s talent is discernible, he puts together a majority of his music by himself. 

The release of Which Way is Forward? comes after the release of multiple singles from the album. Although the album is short, it’s a beautifully constructed narrative of what black identity means in a modern society. These themes can be heard directly in the lyricism of Soldier Ant and 10K, which reflect on the intersection of the black experience with omnipresent issues of racism and discrimination.

Still Sun starts the album off with an upbeat electronic track reminiscent to me of Santigold’s L.E.S. Artistes. This song is simple, inspiring. Obongjayar repeats “I know who I am/This is not the end/I’m not afraid of anything.” This track persuades the listener to have strength even in the most difficult times. 

In Dreaming of Transit, he sings, “Hoping one day I’d fly away / Nobody told me I had wings.” He reflects on his upbringing and how far he’s come with deep vocals complemented by sporadic falsetto layered onto a drum-heavy melody. 

Carry Come Carry Go spins a distinctly electronically-influenced, Afrobeat melody. The song illustrates the loneliness of being away from a lover, there is a palpable longing in his singing, and the spoken word elements dispersed throughout the track. It is probably my favorite from the album, it is emotionally charged and a beautiful cumulation of the different styles that Obongjayar is known for. 

Frens is one of my favorite tracks because of the mix of drum beats, harmoniously layered vocals, and energetic rhythm. It reminds me of some of Kanye’s older, gospel-influenced music. 

Obongjayar has great potential as an artist and I foresee him gaining prosperity and increased influence as an artist. Definitely check the album out. 

– Miranda 

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New Album Review

Album Review: Transviolet- Born to Rule

Album Review: Transviolet- Born to Rule

BEST TRACKS: Don’t Say You Love Me, Sunshine, Freak Like Me,

FCC Violations: Freak Like Me

               I am completely fangirling over this San Diego based alternative pop band. They are shameless, they are fearless, and they are unapologetic! Transviolet’s revolution really kicked off after they received high praise from pop heavyweights Harry Styles and Katy Perry for their track ‘Girls Your Age’. The staring gem of this band is lead vocalist Sarah McTaggart. Her normal singing voice shimmers but her lower, mumbling singing voice sends a jolt of electricity through my bones. This band did everything independantly for the release of this album. When I say everything, I mean everything. Born to Ruleis self-written, self-mixed, self-mastered, and self-released. Who said pop couldn’t be DIY?

               Above all, I would describe Born to Rule as Lush. This album featurs modern pop-synth and hooks galore to make for an easy listening experience. The lush southern Calofornia really shines through in the third track ‘Easy on Me’ with its tropical flourishes and downbeat percussion. My favorite song on this album is by far ‘Don’t Say You Love Me.’ I think I’m just obsessed with the sassy way bit McTaggart mumbles “I scare the hell out of your neighbours from the South, I’m not your girlfriend but I’m always at your house.” Though the lyrics on certain tracks can get a little repetitive, I’ve come to learn that repetitiveness is usually a sacrifice to endure when listening to pop.

               Born to Rule is the perfect album for a girls night out. When I listen to this album, it makes me want to risk it all and have the best night of my life. Not to mention, this album is empowering to women. Though energetic, there is nothing stressful about this album; In fact, I think it cleared my mind. It’s obvious that the band is aiming to make a splash, and they intend to do it all on their own. If you enjoy listening to Katy Perry, Dua Lipa, or Zara Larsson, then this album is right up your alley.

-Safia Rizwan

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New Album Review

Sobville (Episode I) EP Review

 

Sobville is the first EP released by artist Arrested Youth following his 2018 full length album, Fear. The tracks focus on the theme of taking personal responsibility for your thoughts and feelings. Arrested Youth has drawn me in with his intensely relatable and mindful lyrics. On his last release he said the lyrics are about ‘thinking of the things that are big in our heads but so small on the radar of life’.

The EP Features five tracks that all seem to focus on different aspects of the overall theme. ‘Dig’, the first track, is a powerful anthem that sets the tone by highlighting the idea of not being who he once was and how he is starting to see things differently. The hook includes the lines ‘Dig me up, from underneath, and you’ll see, I’m not who I used to be, I’m not who I used to be.’ giving insight into what inspired the work and making the listener feel powerful by the reminder.

The next track, titled ‘Expectations’, keeps up the anthem theme that holds strong throughout this album; all of the choruses are incredibly powerful and really draw in the listener. This particular track focuses on how expectations set by the world may not align with out true callings and leave us feeling like we’re not living our truth. He highlights this with the hook ‘…All the years I’ve spent, All the lives I’ve faked, Just to keep myself protected’.

The third track, titled ‘What You’re Made Of’, was the first track I heard from the album, it’s an empowering and blunt anthem. The song focuses on bouncing back from life’s troubles. Even when ‘I’ve been up, I’ve been down, I’ve been kicked down on the ground… I stand tall, where I’m at, Been to hell but now I’m back’. I put this track on to hype myself up because there’s something really inspiring about hearing him say ‘Show me what you’re made of’.

The second to last track ‘The Kid I Used to Know’ is almost a reflection of ‘Dig’ since he’s saying goodbye to his old self and his old habits. This flows perfectly into what is my current favorite track, a powerful ending to the EP, ‘Sob Story’. 

This track pulls together the point he’s been building throughout the works, ‘I’ve been broke like a toy machine, I’ve been spit back out like some listerine, But I get up on my own two feet, ‘Cause I’m not some sob story’. 

This track is another anthem and this repeating and developing chorus isn’t even the best of it. The bridge features a complete change in music, with its eerie and lighter tone. Its lyrics ‘You might be asking: “How can I be happy, When the whole universe keeps laughing at me?”, It’s pretty simple: let go of your hang ups, Life doesn’t owe me a thing’ always makes me feel powerful and calm, it’s a great reminder that we shouldn’t let the things that happen to us define us. This whole album serves as an eye-opening reminder that our thoughts are powerful and we have to be careful how we let them frame our lives.

– DJ Psyched

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New Album Review

Mac Miller’s “Circles” Album Review

My favorites: Circles, I Can See, That’s On Me

Mac Miller (RIP) is an artist who will always be significant to me. I still remember discovering The Divine Feminine as a 16-year-old and realizing that our world was changing. The jazz rap, intricate drum beats, and soulful lyrics Mac used to weave stories of the strong women in his life, tales of love and devotion, still has an indescribable impact on my life. My younger self blossomed with the realization of my own value as a woman; I can still feel the shock to my system upon realizing that a male musician could align himself with feminism in a way that I identified with. 

On January 8, more than a year after his death, Mac Miller’s family announced on Instagram that Circles would be released later in the month. Mac had been working to publish Circles as a companion to Swimming (2018), and this posthumous release was a complement to his past discography. Much of the album was strung together using recordings Mac made before his death, and I believe he would’ve been proud of how it turned out. Jon Brion, the producer, worked for years to put together the album while closely following the vision he was originally presented with. 

There are so many themes within the album that tie together lose ends from Swimming and paint a picture of Mac’s battle with addiction and his periods of recovery, along with the pressure he felt as an artist. There is heartbreak, healing, and moving forward. This album gave closure to many Mac Miller fans like myself. If you haven’t heard it yet, give it a try. 

-Miranda

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New Album Review

Album Review: 86 – Infected Rain

Top Songs: Mold, Serendipity, Orphan Soul 

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I would like to introduce one of my favorite metal bands, Infected Rain. I was a bit skeptical before listening to this nu-metal album, but much to my surprise, I completely fell in love with the album and the band. Their incorporation of metalcore, melodic death metal, electronic samples, touching lyrics, and female screams gives them a unique, gripping sound. 86 perfectly showcases the talent of each individual member. The first song of the album, Mold, gives a good introduction of their eclectic sound by combining heavy guitar, explosive vocals, and electronics. Elena Cataraga, also known as Lena Scissorhands, has a wildly impressive vocal range, spanning from clean singing, intense vocal fry, to deep gutturals Everything she delivers is packed with so much raw emotion it gives me chills to this day. This emotion shines through in Orphan Soul, where Lena writes a letter to her parents reflecting on her painful childhood while celebrating the new freedom and life she’s found despite her past. My favorite song from this album, Peculiar Kind of Sanity, focuses on how we allow our ego to corrupt our perception, overcoming deeply instilled fear, and taking control of our life. The primary theme throughout the album seems to be awakening from confusion and pain, corruption of humanity, self-acceptance, and overcoming your past or current pain. I find myself going back to their music over and over again for escape and solace. As is the beauty of music, but I find this vulnerability is somewhat rare in a lot of metal, so Infected Rain’s take is refreshing. Who said being in touch with your emotions isn’t metal?

Infected Rain formed in 2008 in Moldova, and first appeared playing at a concert dedicated to Slayer. Later that year they released their first demo CD with three songs – With Me, Parasite, and No Idols. They’ve shared the stage with bands such Obituary, Behemoth, Katatonia, Mötley Crüe, and The Agonist. After ten years of being an independent band, they finally signed with Napalm records in February 2019. Lena states on their website, “I want to touch people somewhere deep inside, try to end their fears and give them that escape that they always search for. Music saved my life, but when I started to sing is when my life acquired color. I want to share that with you.” It’s apparent listening to their work that every moment comes from the heart, and I think that’s what makes this band so special.

While I absolutely love this band, I have a few reservations about their techniques regarding electronic sounds. From conversations I’ve had and reviews I’ve seen, it’s a common thought. Songs like Mold and Freaky Carnival are a prime example. The electronic sounds are sometimes unexpected and take the songs in a different direction that I would like. Maybe this is a misled presumption I’ve developed from listening to so much traditional sounding black and death metal. I respect that Infected Rain is pushing boundaries of metal and incorporating various sounds to create their art. If you can’t get past the electronic sounds, this band still has loads to offer. Electronic sounds are incorporated in only a few songs, and the rest is pure metal. Overall, I think this band is extremely underrated and I can’t wait to see where their unique sound takes them.  

 -Sarah Thomas 

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New Album Review

ALBUM REVIEW: Wolf Parade – Thin Mind

ALBUM REVIEW: Wolf Parade – Thin Mind

BEST TRACKS: Wandering Son, The Static Age, Against the Day

FCC Violations: Julia Take Your Man Home

               Thin Minds, released earlier this month, is Wolf Parade’s sixth album. You might have heard of Wolf Parade in the context of their genre-shattering 2005 album Apologies to the Queen Mary, which paved the way for many more odd, jittery indie rock bands to come such as King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, and King Crimson. After taking slightly different paths with their later albums over the years, Wolf Parade again embraces their roots with Thin Mind, an album that evokes the same feelings and energy as their debut album Apologies to the Queen Mary. Original fans of Wolf Parade will be relieved to know that the band has returned to their early style. Wolf Parade took the sound of Apologies to the Queen Mary and refined and finely aged it to produce yet another stunning rock album.

               Songs on this album feature unique melodies slightly twinged with electronic style, but surely grounded in pure rock. The shining feature of this album is definitely its tendency for catchy, melodic riffs. Flourishing keyboard work by Spencer Krug keeps the energy surging from song to song as Dan Boeckner’s guitar work holds you captive with it’s immense grit. Some of the charm of this album is due to the subtle 80’s pop-synth influence and Krug’s frazzled vocal style.

               Even though it was released in the peak of winter, Thin Mind is a very summery-sounding album to me. It reminds me of swimming in the lake, climbing pine trees, and going camping, possibly because of the nostalgic, coming-of-age energy this music exudes. This album will make you want to set your inner child free, to leap and bound over the hills. Themes on this album are very inspirational. The very first track, Under Glass, is about freeing yourself by embracing uncertainty.

If you’re a fan of Arcade Fire circa 2004, then this punchy album is sure to win your heart.

-Safia Rizwan