At: 4 albums 4 all types of tastes
Choose your fighter: pop record, indie record, dance record, and folk record. Brief, but loving.
Unlike reviews I have done in the past, this is a collection of some records that came out this year and that I have really enjoyed listening. There is no common factor between any of them. They are nothing alike, and that makes me love this format even more.
FOR THE ONES LOOKING FOR THE INDIE RECORD
The first one I listened to was “AMAMA” by Crumb. It floats, it flows, and it’s ultra soft. It gives a lot of space to its instrumentals, which can make you feel like you are falling down a rabbit hole for the majority of the album. It’s fantastical and strange, but engaging and has a vibe.
My Top Three: Genie, AMAMA, Crushxd.
Honorable Mention: From Outside A Window Sill
For: People who are extremely into indie and instrumentals, but if you are, then you probably have already heard of Crumb since they are kind of famous with 2.2M monthly listeners.
Verdict: I like it, but I don’t know if I am fully the audience of this record. I do not see myself coming back to it often… and that’s okay! I still think it’s a good album.
FOR THE BRAT AND CHALLENGERS ENTHUSIASTS
This stunning artwork is for Peggy Gou’s “I Hear You” (2024). Dance music is becoming massive as people love brat’s hyperpop/electropop vibe, and this record could fit in the mix pretty well. It is fun, cohesive, dancy, and catchy. It made me think of Ryuichi Sakamoto’s “Sweet Revenge” album (1994), which is a major compliment. It also reminded me a lot of the “Challengers” soundtrack with “Back to One.” It is a summer album; she is a cool girl, so it is the perfect mix.
My Top Three: All That, (It Goes Like) Nanana, I Go
Honorable Mentions: Back to One and Purple Horizon
For: Anyone who will be spending tons of time at the beach and wants a light album to play and vibe to. Just anyone really. It is super easy to listen to and is not electronic-heavy like other DJ albums.
Verdict: I like it and I would play it for other people in the car. I would skip around to avoid looking too pretentious, but there are some really good ones. I could be obsessed with “All That” since the Spanish lyrics caught me off guard.
FOR THE POP PEOPLE WHO WANT INTERESTING POP
Rachel Chinouriri is so cool, and her album “What A Devastating Turn of Events” mirrors that. She brings heaviness to pop music so flawlessly and seamlessly, that it makes the album super engaging. Her voice is also stunning and it fits the playfulness of the album all the way through. The production is serious as there are so many different moods and flows, while it remains cohesive.
My Top Three: The Hills, It Is What It Is, Cold Call
Honorable Mentions: My Blood, Dumb Bitch Juice, Garden of Eden
For: It’s a pop album. More alternative pop than mainstream pop, which makes it have some heavier moments and shift between vibes in ways a regular pop record wouldn’t.
Verdict: I enjoyed it and I would come back to it when the mood is appropriate. I will say, she is underrated. What do you mean she has fewer monthly listeners than both Peggy and Crumb?
FOR THOSE WHO ARE MORE LIKE ME
This is the one. Marina Allen’s “Eight Pointed Star” is just that record. I am noticing a pattern in my tastes, therefore, if you love Adrianne Lenker as much as I do, you will absolutely love this album. It is folk and it is slow, but it’s stunning. Her voice fits the indie folk atmosphere of this record so perfectly. I think I will replay this album all summer…
My Top Three: Red Cloud, Bad Eye Opal, Easy
Honorable Mentions: I’m the Same, Swinging Doors, Love Comes Back
For: Those who love folk. It is super folky, indie, and guitar-y, with background strings and soft vocals. It is also for those who appreciate confessional, poetic lyrics from female artists (the best genre, if we’re being real).
Verdict: Stunning. As I said, I will be replaying this album all summer. It is just that good and this is barely her third album, while sounding so comfortable in her style. I absolutely love her, and I implore you to check her out if this could be your vibe.
EXTRA:
Peggy Gou has this sick music video I really like. Even the video gives Challengers, it is so good.
if you read all the way here, you’re very real and deserve a <3. thank you