2014 brought with it a repertoire of [mostly disappointing] sophomore albums released by some of last year's most promising indie-pop freshman. We saw Walk the Moon release Talking is Hard, a 12-track serving of Phil Collins-esque synth-pop with a few gems (Down in the Dumps, Track 7) that reminded me of all the potential of their debut. Young the Giant, a recent recruit of Atlantic Records' Fueled by Ramen, published Mind Over Matter, a decent record incomparable to their 2010 eponymous LP.
However, 2014 brought triumphs. Among these were Black Taxi's Electroshock Death Grip, Hozier's self-titled debut album, Temples' Sun Structures, Cruel Runnings by Miniature Tigers, and Lana Del Rey's Ultraviolence.
ELECTROSHOCK DEATH GRIP: Black Taxi released their third album on September 23, 2014 with no hit singles and really no anticipation from the music world. Needless to say, I was taken majorly by surprise to find that at least 4 songs on Electroshock Death Grip had the same catchy, contagiously dance-able formula as "Friend", a single from their 2012 sophomore album. The pop record is a proof that Max Martin isn't the only producer who can force melodies into your heads for days.
HOZIER: Following the Take Me to Church EP featuring the hit song by the same name and the From Eden EP, Irish singer-songwriter Hozier released a 13-track album of perfection, top to bottom. Every track is bluesy with so much soul, on top of dark and romantic lyrics. Highlights include the catchy track "Someone New", twisted and devoted "Work Song" and musically complex "It Will Come Back". If Hozier were to manage another radio hit, however, he'd find it in "Angel of Small Death and The Codeine Scene".
SUN STRUCTURES: I first heard Temples' "Colours to Life" when it was released in June of 2013. I put in on a playlist, but to be honest, it was a track I often skipped. Temples found its way back into my music library after "Keep In The Dark" came out as a single. I fell in love with this track, which sounded reminiscent of the "Suite Life of Zack and Cody" theme song. Even better was the B-side "Jewel of Mine Eye", which is not featured on the 2014 debut Temples' Sun Structures. And even without my favorite track leading up to the album, Sun Structures is intricate and well-crafted, particularly "Shelter Song" and "The Golden Throne". It is artful, sophisticated, nostalgic and dreamy psych-pop at its best.
CRUEL RUNNINGS: I hopped on the Miniature Tigers bus a little bit late since I missed the generation of "Cannibal Queen", but this doesn't alter my fixation with their summery, 10-track record, Cruel Runnings. Two years after MIA PHARAOH, a Miniature Tigers record that could easily be mistaken as Passion Pit's, Cruel Runnings is something entirely lighter. The whole album is pastel, beginning with "Swimming Pool Blues" an anthem of summers past and ending with "Frazier Ave" which reverts back to the style of the last album. Hand-picked tracks include "Dream Girl", "Selfish Girl", and "Used to Be The Shit", though the whole thing is a treat for the ears.
ULTRAVIOLENCE: I do not include this in my favorite as a disciple of "Queen Lana" and you will not find my tumblr blog filled with photos of her perfection; I instead include this because it took me majorly by surprise. I never connected with Lana Del Rey's music in the past and though I acknowledged her as a prominent figure in the music world, I guess I associated this more with her image than her music. However, Ultraviolence was the melancholy album I needed this summer. The singles were, admittedly, my favorites among "The Other Woman", "Cruel World", and "Pretty When You Cry".
THANKS FOR READING. XX
However, 2014 brought triumphs. Among these were Black Taxi's Electroshock Death Grip, Hozier's self-titled debut album, Temples' Sun Structures, Cruel Runnings by Miniature Tigers, and Lana Del Rey's Ultraviolence.
ELECTROSHOCK DEATH GRIP: Black Taxi released their third album on September 23, 2014 with no hit singles and really no anticipation from the music world. Needless to say, I was taken majorly by surprise to find that at least 4 songs on Electroshock Death Grip had the same catchy, contagiously dance-able formula as "Friend", a single from their 2012 sophomore album. The pop record is a proof that Max Martin isn't the only producer who can force melodies into your heads for days.
HOZIER: Following the Take Me to Church EP featuring the hit song by the same name and the From Eden EP, Irish singer-songwriter Hozier released a 13-track album of perfection, top to bottom. Every track is bluesy with so much soul, on top of dark and romantic lyrics. Highlights include the catchy track "Someone New", twisted and devoted "Work Song" and musically complex "It Will Come Back". If Hozier were to manage another radio hit, however, he'd find it in "Angel of Small Death and The Codeine Scene".
SUN STRUCTURES: I first heard Temples' "Colours to Life" when it was released in June of 2013. I put in on a playlist, but to be honest, it was a track I often skipped. Temples found its way back into my music library after "Keep In The Dark" came out as a single. I fell in love with this track, which sounded reminiscent of the "Suite Life of Zack and Cody" theme song. Even better was the B-side "Jewel of Mine Eye", which is not featured on the 2014 debut Temples' Sun Structures. And even without my favorite track leading up to the album, Sun Structures is intricate and well-crafted, particularly "Shelter Song" and "The Golden Throne". It is artful, sophisticated, nostalgic and dreamy psych-pop at its best.
CRUEL RUNNINGS: I hopped on the Miniature Tigers bus a little bit late since I missed the generation of "Cannibal Queen", but this doesn't alter my fixation with their summery, 10-track record, Cruel Runnings. Two years after MIA PHARAOH, a Miniature Tigers record that could easily be mistaken as Passion Pit's, Cruel Runnings is something entirely lighter. The whole album is pastel, beginning with "Swimming Pool Blues" an anthem of summers past and ending with "Frazier Ave" which reverts back to the style of the last album. Hand-picked tracks include "Dream Girl", "Selfish Girl", and "Used to Be The Shit", though the whole thing is a treat for the ears.
ULTRAVIOLENCE: I do not include this in my favorite as a disciple of "Queen Lana" and you will not find my tumblr blog filled with photos of her perfection; I instead include this because it took me majorly by surprise. I never connected with Lana Del Rey's music in the past and though I acknowledged her as a prominent figure in the music world, I guess I associated this more with her image than her music. However, Ultraviolence was the melancholy album I needed this summer. The singles were, admittedly, my favorites among "The Other Woman", "Cruel World", and "Pretty When You Cry".
THANKS FOR READING. XX