2021, Part I
We're already one fourth of the way through 2021. To help sort through all the music thus far released, I've compiled my favorite albums, EPs and compilations from January to March. Follow the 2021, Part I playlist on Spotify below for the best singles from the first quarter.
And if you're so inclined: make sure to purchase albums directly from Bandcamp today on this Bandcamp Friday! All proceeds directly benefit the artists.
Zach's 5 Favorite Albums of the Year (So Far)
Limitations - Sports Coach
I first found about Sports Coach via the release of Sports Spirits on Spirit Goth in the summer of ‘19. Throughout the season, I spent countless hours listening to my Sports Spirits tape on loop in my Highlander as I drove throughout the Hudson Valley, basking in the clement sun and finding myself astonished by the environment I was exposed to. The album’s lo-fi vignettes, minimally constructed with serotonin lacquered synths, conjured an unabashed love of life, a sound both optimistic and curious to discover all the world’s whimsy.
It’s fitting that Limitations is the title of this record, the ninth full-length from J. Thatcher May’s solo project. It may partially be in reference to Thatcher’s lifestyle - living semi-nomadically out of his van Lady in Southern California, he recorded this album throughout the state, borrowing studio space and electricity when needed. Despite these practical woes, the resulting half hour of music is ANYTHING but limited, in both sound and scope. Limitations not only carries a pacific spirit, but captures the essence of being wonderstruck by the universe that we bear witness to.
Propelled by a throbbing bassline and washed out synth, “Illusion” opens Limitations by firmly placing the listener into a cosmic landscape. As the album progresses, the percussion tinkers and the atmosphere fumigates as child-like melodies carry the weight of dreams attached to shooting stars. Ranging only from one to three minutes in runtime, each song perfects its vibe and defines its purpose within its first few measures. But the arrangements are packed to the brim, an exemplary showing of maximalism with a minimal palette. It’s the most fully realized project in Thatcher’s discography, an album that captures the most using the least.
Among my favorite tracks are “Nutcracker Concluded,” with a melody that flutters as though it’s a cloud of fireflies in a spring meadow; “Figured,” an instrumental with the intimacy of self-reflection at sunset; “Skatin’ The Line,” which makes me envision the Peanuts dancing to vaporwave; and the title track, a song that begins with an irresistibly funky drum beat only to melt into a goopy conclusion.
Hoorsees - Hoorsees
I wrote about my love for Hoorsees, the self-titled debut from the Parisian indie rockers, over on Post-Trash. You can check it out here!
World’s Most Stressed Out Gardener - Chad VanGaalen
Calgary’s Chad VanGaalen isn’t a household name, but based on where his fingerprints can be found, he should be. Behind the scenes, he has provided a variety of services to some of the last two decades’ scene defining acts. From engineering and releasing the albums of influential cult-act Women on his label Flemish Eye, to producing the debut of modern indie pop icons Alvvays, VanGaalen’s influence exudes tangible trademarks and an intangible aura in these works. It brings out the sweetest flavors while not overpowering the ingredients that need to be savoured.
Other than the score and soundtrack work he provides on [adult swim]’s Rick and Morty, his own work remains under the radar. However, it’s fair to say it’s worthy of the same recognition the bands he puts on receive. Lying at the wedge of The Flaming Lips, Animal Collective and Neil Young, VanGaalen has a knack for breaking the color wheel, creating textures that are as organic as they are lysergic. Meanwhile, his songs stay relatively within folk-rock norms, never forgetting to prioritize structure and progression over ornate piffle.
World’s Most Stressed Out Gardener, VanGaalen’s latest solo record, continues to hone his songwriting style while displaying an auteur’s command of mode, tone and sequencing. Between the sprawling jaunts of “Spider Milk” and “Starlight” lies a mystical flute piece (cheekily titled “Flute Peace”), and this model - song, segue, song - is followed nearly throughout the record. It helps lend a structural fluidity that balances the flavors introduced to the stew throughout. A prime example is when the Fleet Foxes-esque “Where Is It All Going?” transitions into the ruminative, John Carpenter-esque “Earth From A Distance,” moving together not in instrumental consistency so much as in emotional resonance.
While VanGaalen is more in line with an older generation of songwriters, fans of modern acts Slow Pulp, Spirit of the Beehive, and Pet Shimmers will find plenty to love with this record. It rewards you the more you listen, as you find new paths to travel down the auditory road. Quite frankly, it proves to me how records of this style can still be effervescent and buoyant, not just the self-reflexive melancholy of an artist like Bon Iver.
Spirit Level - Randolph’s Leap
Spirit Level flies out of the gate with classic songwriting tropes and fluorescent rays of sunshine - setting a precedent of non-stop euphoria. The only problem with that (as it is with most twee bands) is that if delivered upon, it’s too cloying, but if not, it’s too boring. Yet Glasgow’s Randolph’s Leap finds a way to deliver unrelenting joy without the pain of grandma’s cheek pinches. It’s pastel and homely, but kinetic and adventurous. It’s nostalgic for the golden age of sunshine pop (a deep appreciation for the Lovin’ Spoonful and the Turtles runs throughout), but is thoroughly modern in how it carries the torch Belle and Sebastian set aflame. Ultimately, it’s the kind of record you listen to in order to cleanse your mind, body and soul, and just celebrate in a state of sweet, ornate pleasure.
Eau De Bonjourno - Bernice
Robin Dann, lead singer of Toronto’s experimental Bernice, states that Eau De Bonjourno “openly plays with the shape of a pop song,” but it’s more of an intricate ballet. Upon first listen, there’s a level of difficulty in accessing these songs. They take precious time rising to temperature, developing grooves at a measured pace that’s in contrast to what the crystalline production would suggest. But that’s just it - by breaking down and reconstructing the conceits of pop and alternative R&B sinuously, Bernice draws focus to how pop is emotionally immediate and not just a cookie-cutter method.
Noteworthy Albums
Introducing… - Aaron Frazer
Revivalist blue-eyed & pop soul with a heart of gold
FFO: Leon Bridges, Durand Jones, St. Paul & The Broken Bones
Boreal Solitaire - Amar Lal
Modular synth pieces soundtracking the cold, northern Ontario winter
FFO: Ambient
Anabel Lee - Anabel Lee
Barcelona based pop punks who know how to ride a riff
FFO: All Time Low, Cala Vento, Viva Belgrado
Batea - Bejuco
Afrobeat meats cumbia in a percussive, spiritual showcase
FFO: Ondatropica, Morbo y Mambo, Ajate
The Shadow I Remember - Cloud Nothings
The leanest and most personal collection of power pop songs yet from the Cleveland punks
FFO: Japandroids, Wavves, Dogleg
Nerve Bumps (A Queer Divine Dissatisfaction) - Dax Pierson
The former Subtle keyboardist/synth artist manifests a challenging yet accessible electronic odyssey demonstrative of perseverance through struggle
FFO: Experimental, Electronic
Tell Me I’m Bad - Editrix
Western Mass indie rockers who cheekily eviscerate tropes and shred with expertise
FFO: Landowner, Hop Along, Speedy Ortiz
Imaginary Deadlines - Fuvk
DIY indie pop & singer/songwriter tunes that embody Gen Z’s anxieties
FFO: *sigh* “fifth wave emo”
Yeah? - Gaadge
PGH DIY band that thrives on wonky riffs and a slacker-gaze ethos
FFO: Spirit of the Beehive, Toner, Same
Neptune - Gallant
Passionate songs both nostalgic for 00s R&B and innovative with dream pop and alt-R&B production
FFO: Usher, FKA twigs, 6LACK
Smiling with No Teeth - Genesis Owusu
Australian hip hop with seismic personality and multi-genre fusion
FFO: Tkay Maidza, Moor Mother, R.A.P. Ferreira
glbl wrmng, vol. I - glbl wrmng
Fresh, young collective showcasing the new school of New Orleans hip hop
FFO: Pell, Michael Christmas, Chris Crack
Witch Egg - John Dwyer
A free jazz, improvisational session with sprawling, psychedelic, and delicious results
FFO: Thee Oh Sees, King Gizzard, Bent Arcana
VI - mitsume
Japanese indie rockers continue to perfect the soft rock sound Real Estate dreams of achieving
FFO: Beach Fossils, Fishmans, Nap Eyes
A Summer In Retrograde - RAIZA BIZA
Hamilton, NZ rapper diaristically raps over smooth, soulful beats
FFO: STL GLD, RICEWINE, Blu & Exile
Renée Reed - Renée Reed
Lafayette, LA singer/songwriter who conjures lush, haunted soundscapes of dreamy, lo-fi folk
FFO: Sharon Van Etten, Grouper, IAN SWEET
Guide Me Holy Ararat - Sevan
Editor’s Note: Sevan is Osmosis Tones contributor Luke Chobanian’s passion project - progressive, technical metal thematically centered on the Armenian genocide his ancestors endured
FFO: Sumac, Ulcerate, Helms Alee
My Life on the Silicone Prairie - Silicone Prairie
Brittle, Midwestern post-punk and new wave that snaps like a rubberband
FFO: Devo, Brainiac, Alien Nosejob
Spare Ribs - Sleaford Mods
Grimy, acerbic post-punk and grime from England’s working class heroes
FFO: black MIDI, slowthai, Neneh Cherry
Take Care - Sulka
Scottish singer/songwriter with gentle, earnest lo-fi folk and bedroom pop
FFO: Elliott Smith, Tyler Burkhart, Spencer Radcliffe
Somewhere - Sun June
Glistening indie pop with an ethereal atmosphere and silken vocals
FFO: Jay Som, TOPS, Trace Mountains
Peace Out Cruel World - Whiner
New Jersey DIY band that conjures satanic glam pop and throttling beach rock
FFO: Cold Cave, A Sunny Day In Glasgow, The 1975
What’s Growing - Wurld Series
New Zealand power pop group within the tradition of the Flying Nun sound
FFO: The Boys With The Perpetual Nervousness, Mo Troper, The Beths
Glass Triangle - Zeena Parkins, Ryan Sawyer & Mette Rasmussen
Challenging free jazz that channels the aggressiveness of spirit in refined interplay - not for the faint of heart!
FFO: Colin Stetson, Matana Roberts, Chris Corsano
Noteworthy EPs
Blame Game - Beach Bunny
New tunes from Chicago pop punks that’s a wonderful progression in songwriting
FFO: Alex Lahey, Diet Cig, Soccer Mommy
Sometimes I Forget You’re Human Too - Bored at My Grandma’s House
Wonderfully dreamy bedroom pop with shoegaze overtones
FFO: Mini Trees, Hatchie, Kate Bollinger
From Then ‘til Now - Haich Ber Na
Futuristic dance and R&B fusions with ethereal falsettos and plenty of soul
FFO: Magdalena Bay, Tyler Holmes, Yves Tumor
Deliberately Alive - Future Teens
New tunes from the Boston emo and bummer pop darlings
FFO: Great Grandpa, Hospital Bracelet, Nervous Dater
Survive - Show Me The Body
Some would call the sound of this genre “New York”
FFO: Daughters, The Body, Lightning Bolt
Noteworthy Compilations
compco: A Community College Compilation - Various Artists (Disposable America)
All proceeds from this compilation will go to the benefit of the Allston-Brighton Community Fridge in Boston, MA. Consider purchasing if you enjoy it!
A Young Person’s Guide to the Early Welttraumforscher - Die Welttraumforscher
Wir arbeiten für die nächste Welt (1991-2012) - Die Welttraumforscher
Assembly - Joe Strummer
Start Walkin’ 1965-1976 - Nancy Sinatra
