For the month of October, KXSU’s Student Music Advisory Board (SMAB) compiled a list of each of their top album picks. Meet the board, and check out some of the music that they are listening to!
Haley Witt Recommends:
Whipporwill by Darlingside
Darlingside took a little bit of a “softer” and more stripped-down folk approach to this album than in some of their previous work, making Whipporwill reminiscent of bands like Half Moon Run and Family of the Year. This release is just an EP, so there’s only 5 songs on it, but, unsurprisingly, they convey a good deal of musical diversity. The title track, “Whipporwill,” is calm and lulling, along with “Fourth of July.” The EP also includes an excellent revamped version of their 2012 track, “Blow the House Down,” which picks up a bit more steam, mounting in a percussive roar. Particularly on this album, Darlingside is not shy to utilize mandolin, violin, banjo, or percussive instruments like the tambourine. It seems that each member of the band plays more than one instrument (and oftentimes in just one song).
Other recommendations: All That the Rain Promises by Bombadil
https://youtu.be/JC4PLZ9Snlw
Laura Popescu Recommends:
Two Vines by Empire of the Sun
Basically, they took a long hiatus that made us forget about them and then, BAM: they release an album October 28th without any warning, leaving me emotionally unstable. I wish I were as cool as their album cover is, honestly.
Grif Benzel Recommends:
Over the Edge Vol 9: The Chopping Channel by Negativland
Negativland are back with another hilarious anti-consumerism sound collage. If you’re an absolute moron who revels in absurd samples and sarcasm that targets the free market then, uh, give this thing a listen. Hilarity!
Other recommendations: American Football (LP 2) by American Football
Ian Booth Recommends:
D.R.A.M by Big Baby D.R.A.M
New, young and, very interesting; D.R.A.M. is an amazing album that has some great features from Erykah Badu, Young Thug, and Lil Yachty. If you haven’t heard the banger “Broccoli” yet then wait. Don’t listen to it yet, plan a party, invite everyone you know, put out a good spread, make some drinks, let everybody get loose, and right around midnight, turn on “Broccoli.” You won’t regret it.
Other Recommendations: 1992 By The Game, Woptober by Gucci Mane
Melvin Yuen Recommends:
Clear Shot by TOY
After releasing two high-quality albums, TOY and Join the Dots in 2012 and 2013 respectively, the London five-piece wasn’t in a hurry to record any new material. Instead, they spent the last three years reflecting and restructuring their style. Last September, Max Oscarnold from The Proper Ornaments replaced the original keyboardist Alejandra Diez. Even with that, though, the band didn’t have a hard time finding musical chemistry with the Oscarnold, who’s been a warm-up for their shows for a while. Produced by David Wrench (Caribou/FKA Twigs) in England and mixed by Chris Coady (Beach House/Yeah Yeah Yeahs) in Los Angeles, the new album, Clear Shot, comes across as more concise and straightforward than their previous work, but still has all of their usual rich musical textures.
Other recommendations: Running Out of Love by The Radio Dept., Citizen of Glass by Agnes Obel
Alan Adamian Recommends:
Woman in Motion by Miss Krystle
Looking to spice up your love life? Miss Krystle is who you should turn to. From sex pop to trip hop, Krystle knows just what her fans want, and each song on the album fits a different unique “genre.” A personal favorite, “Focused All Night,” provides for some incredibly high energy.
KXSU SMAB (Student Music Advisory Board)