Author: tunesandoats

What can I say… Blood Orange has done it again. I am actually relatively new to Devonté Hynes but from what I can tell, he will become an important icon for generations to come. Negro Swan is full of powerful concepts, woke imagery, and familiar voices. The entirety of the project is aesthetically pleasing including its sound bites contained at the end of some of the tracks. Aside from its artistic value, Negro Swan awakens a pensive dragon which continues to dwell within your heart. If this is your first time inviting Blood Orange into your ears, I recommend checking out their entire catalog.

At 22 minutes long, Million Dollars To Kill Me is Joyce Manor’s most diverse album yet. This band is very talented at bringing out one’s emotions in whatever form they choose. If you’re not really into punk then you may not like them which sucks for you because they actually produce really good music…and MDTKM is no different. This is definitely one of their best works even though Never Hungover Again may never be topped. It deserves a serious listen and I hope their youthful angst doesn’t stop any time soon.

Okay…so at first I was very hesitant about this band. When I first listened to them, I was like “from which area of yeehaw America did this come from?” I was super critical of this album but it has certainly grown on me. If I had to describe it, I would describe it as low-key country attempting to be post-revival classic rock. You can hear it in the singer’s voice which has been compared to Led Zepplin’s Robert Plant. This is actually a decent album and I am aware that they are becoming more and more popular. Maybe you won’t like it, or maybe you will! Definitely worth a listen. You will most likely be hearing about them more and more.

The Internet is known for their chill funk & soul music and they have yet to disappoint with their latest project. Hive Mind is moody and speaks of situations most of us can relate to. When Feel Good came out, I remember being wrapped with the sweet sound of confusion. Their 4th album continues this same yearning for comfort through modern rhythm & blues.

Mitski’s new album is on the way! If you have obsessed over her like I have then you will have no problem groovin’ to her latest song “Nobody,” which came out late last month. I’m really digging the vibes so far so I’m hopeful that Be the Cowboy will be, if not more magical than her 2016 album Puberty 2. Also, I heard her live performances are awesome so I would love to see her soon.

Interpol has a new song out called “The Rover” and no, it is not a cover of the Led Zeppelin song. It is a pretty catchy single that will be part of their new album, Marauder, which comes out on August 24th.  This album, like the last, does not contain original member Carlos Dengler. Most of my peers are unfamiliar with Interpol. They are much more appreciated in Mexico and Europe. They are a unique alternative band which have a democratic style of engineering their music amongst their active members. Paul Banks also contributes with vocals like no other. They will be performing on July 7th as part of The Cure’s 40th anniversary mega-concert in London.

The queen is back! Lykke Li has returned after her last solo album, “I Never Learn,” which came out four years ago. I have literally waited my entire college career for her to produce another album. She has been active as part of her supergroup Liv consisting of Peter Bjorn & John’s Björn Yttling, Miike Snow’s Andrew Wyatt and Pontus Winberg, and partner Jeff Bhaskar (Bhaskar is also the father of her child).

“So Sad So Sexy” has come out during the apex of the current dream/soul/indie pop wave. Lykke Li is one of the pioneers of this genre of music and she has given us yet another album to mope blissfuly to. The Swedish star has toyed around with modern uses of electronic methods all while staying true to her rhythm & blues framework. Lykke Li has always experimented and ventured off to new territories, aiming for new ways to catch one’s attention in this smorgasbord of 21st century tunes. She has even featured American rapper Aminé in her new album.

I thought “I Never Learn” was going to be the last of Lykke Li and I am so happy that I have another of her albums to enjoy. She is one of the few artists who I have grown with since the start of my musical existential awakening. I hope I can experience her live.

Artwork by one of Fresno’s finest, Sanking Saephan.

Certified Tunes & Oates Oatmeal Award ✔️

Introducing the indie bop of Summer 2018! The River Wilde is a band consisting of Cole Elliot on guitar and vocals while Nathan Taylor plays bass. This is the Fresnan band’s debut album which was written in the summer of 2017 and it covers themes such as relationships and the pursuit of discovering oneself. It is now available on ALL streaming services. The duo finds inspiration from artists like Dinosaur Jr., Beach Fossils, The Cure, and Led Zeppelin. Their style contains wonderful melodies which remind me of how Turnover similarly captivates their listeners. Underwater Reality is a fervent work of art and once you listen to it, it is likely to stamp your life forever with its nostalgia-inducing catalog. Some of my favorite tracks on the album include Admission, Right Now, and Go Nowhere.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/underwater-reality/1389685879

Catch them at one of your local venues. I know I will!

 

 

Phantogram is currently on tour yet the duo have managed to drop a couple tracks. They have also been the opening band for Arcade Fire which this spot has alternated with emerging indie star Angel Olsen. The first of the two, “Someday,” is a somber and chill hit dedicated to raising suicide prevention awareness. The second song is a cover of Sparklehorse’s “Saturday.” The release of the two songs is backtracking a bit from their latest album “Three,” which is much more on the pop side. Great to see them continue to make music and I hope their next full blown album is a lot like these two songs. Also hope they can work with Big Boi although he is on tour himself and is opening for Christina Aguilera on her North American tour.

PS: They came to Grizzly Fest and rocked!

The legendary Julian Casablancas has blessed us with another great album he has spearheaded. Since The Strokes, Casablancas has ventured out into experimental territory and has continued some of that groove. His latest, Virtue, has some quite socially aware lyrics and has a more orderly structure than his previous records. Some of the lyrics on this album are very cryptic yet this is definitely an ear worm of a masterpiece. My favorite song on this album is ALieNNAtionN I cannot stop listening to it!!!1!11!!!1. Please try to listen to this album thoroughly as you will be impressed by this OG indie rock star and his commitment to providing quality tunes. Something that has been difficult for others to do in this ever-competing music industry.