Music
Review: Shields - Grizzly Bear
After three superb studio productions, the expectations for Grizzly Bear’s newest album were high.
Review: Coexist - The xx
It didn’t seem possible for The xx to become more minimalist, but they may have succeeded in doing just that on their sophomore album, “Coexist.” The vocals of Oliver Sim and Romy Madley Croft have not lost their smooth and dreamy qualities, but instead of each song packing its own unique punch as they did on “xx,” the songs run in a nearly unchanging stream, both lyrically and musically, the sounds melting together in an indiscernible mix.
Love This Giant - St. Vincent and David Byrne
Long understood as prolific collaborators, David Byrne and St.
Concert Previews: 9/16 - 9/23
Who’s Playing Philly This Week
Playlist of the Week: 9.17.2012
Enjoy our past playlists here.
Review: Beacon - Two Door Cinema Club
In their sophomore effort, the Irish band reprise their catchy, clean–cut blend of indie rock and electro–pop, proving that in the two years since “Tourist History” they’ve matured without losing their upbeat energy.
City Reign
Local musician Ben Runyan grows up, conquering heartbreak and Philly
Review: "Montage" - City Rain
If there’s one word to describe City Rain’s new EP, "Montage," it’s anthemic.
Review: "The North" - Stars
Stars, the Canadian baroque–pop quintet, are back this fall with their sixth full–length album, "The North." The album opens with “Theory of Relativity,” a track that’s classic Stars, weaving together singer Torquil Campell’s even notes with the high chimes of Amy Millan’s voice.
What Happened This Summer?
6/7–6/10 – The unwashed masses head to Manchester, TN for Bonnaroo 2012, featuring…pretty much everyone. 6/12 – Diplo releases his "Express Yourself" EP; starts Facebook photo competition. 7/2 – Girls frontman Christopher Owens announces he’s leaving the band; indie kids everywhere mourn. 7/10 – The Dirty Projectors release "Swing Lo Magellan"; indie kids everywhere rejoice. 7/15 – Korean rapper PSY releases "Gangnam Style," which quickly goes viral, gaining over 130 million views to date. 7/25 – Taylor Swift moves on to her second Kennedy. 7/29 – Animal Collective begin a weekly radio show leading up to the release of "Centipede HZ," complete with trippy visuals. 8/17 – Three members of punk–rock group Pussy Riot are convicted of hooliganism in Russia, sparking conversations worldwide about freedom of speech. 9/1–9/2 – NSO moves to Center City as Jay–Z & Co. take over Philly with Made in America fest; stay tuned for the Ron Howard directed documentary.
Review: Centipede Hz
They obviously don’t care about their social status
Mash-Up of the Week: Biggie Smalls & Thomas the Tank Engine
In which childhoods are ruined and men are made
Playlist of the Week: 9.11.2012
Enjoy our past playlists here.
Download of the Week
The lead track from the Sea and Cake’s forthcoming album Runner sounds like it was written on sequencers, which is always impressive coming from a band that started out specializing in African-inspired jazz fusion in the mid-90’s. “Harps” breezes by amidst a backdrop of chimes, strings, and glowing synths which have a “happy gas” effect — nobody will be able to harsh your mellow after this one’s over. Still, with lyrics like “I couldn’t let go” and “The sky was never blue,” frontman Sam Prekop never lets you forget what discomfort feels like. It’s a dreamy dichotomy, par for the course for this indulgently creative albeit risk-taking group.
Playlist of the Week
Dear Summer Olympics, We love you, but your music sucks.
Out of Towners: an Interview with A Lull
the Pitchfork alum & Chicago-born-band speaks up
Out of Towners: Forked Out
What we learned from girl-boy rock duos, mosh pits and organic food stands.
REVIEW: channel ORANGE
Frank Ocean: We’ll be thinkin’ bout you for a long long time
