Continuing a theme of bands with really long names, today's Most Important is from Swedish rockers Makthaverskan. I've seen them described as dark indie pop and that's accurate, and I find them very much in the vein of some classic 4AD bands. Think Cocteau Twins. They've got a new album out, III, and it's fantastic.
RIYL: Lush, Cocteau Twins, Cranes, The Sundays
Kerri and I are headed to Reykjavik and Iceland Airwaves next week and I've been listening to all kinds of playlists in preparation. I've noted the hip-hop act Reykjavikurdætur a few times. I think the name is "Daughters of Reykjavik" and their all woman "band" is huge. Their style is funky with rapid-fire vocal matched with slow, deep beats, sort of like London grime-style, but...different. They reminded me on first listen of Lady Sovereign, who is awesome live, so I'm excited to check them out.
RIYL: Lady Sovereign, Die Antwoord, M.I.A., Uffie
Sydney-based Lime Cordiale has the perfect name. Their music is light, bubbly, with a hint of flavor and perfect for a sunny afternoon. Oh, and it's definitely P-13. They've got a pleasant new debut album out just a few weeks back, but today's Most Important is from their 2015 EP.
RIYL: Atlas Genius, Saint Motel, Day Wave, The Mowgli's
Upcoming shows
The Front Bottoms new album is perfect. Perfectly them, perfectly low key college rock that could also serve as a middle schooler's anthem album, with it's perfectly world-weary, sarcastic tone. Anyway, I sat and listened to the entire thing AGAIN this morning (something I almost never do) and could have picked any track to share so I just went with the first. Also, "You Used to Say" feels additionally perfect at this moment: dramatic imminent death declaration followed by a dance break. I didn't know the band before seeing them at ACL last year but count me as a big fan now.
RIYL: Death Cab for Cutie, XTC, Violent Femmes, Dead Milkmen, REM
The other night we went out to see Atlas Genius and they had two entertaining openers: Half the Animal and Magic Giant. MG had a couple songs already on my radar for possible MI placement, but I wasn't at all expecting the vibrance and energy coming off the stage. They were like Dave Matthews Band meets Rainbow Kitten Surprise meets John Lennon but styled like Steven Tyler. Anyway, if you're in need of some banjo/fiddle + orchestral drum + hippie love find your way to a MG show STAT, or at least put their debut album In the Wind on rotation.
RIYL: Run River North, Lumineers, Andrew McMahon, The Head and the Heart, Mumford & Sons
