October Music Roundup
St. Vincent - Masseduction
9 out of 10
Since her debut record in 2007, Annie Clark, aka St. Vincent, has pushed the boundaries of what can be considered "pop music". Complexity and St. Vincent are essentially synonymous this point in her career, so it’s interesting to hear Clark embrace a very simple but groove-laden 80s retro pop sound this time around. Absent are the intergalactic and fuzz-heavy guitar tones she has established, which she replaces with buzzing, propulsive, synthesizers and soft piano ballads. Sure, she does pick and choose her moments to unleash a face melting solo or two, but make no mistake, Masseduction makes a full attempt to be Clark’s most well rounded record to date. What it lacks in musical risks it makes up for in vulnerability and superb songwriting. This is what 80s songwriters probably imagined pop music was supposed to sound like deep into the 21st century.
Beck - Colors
7 out of 10
Colors falls on the less serious end of the spectrum in this week’s roundup. If St. Vincent’s newest offering is a three course cuisine that is to be savored, then Beck’s poppiest album to date is surely more of a Friday night drive through the city or a laid back barbecue with your closest friends. And to be quite honest, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Beck has spent the majority of his career blending numerous genres such as folk, funk, and hip hop to create some timeless classics that we have all heard at some point in our lives. He may still have a few new tricks left up his sleeve, but on Colors Beck chooses to take a well deserved victory lap and boil down his best traits into one long stream of upbeat tracks that is not afraid to cut loose.
MGMT - Little Dark Age
The psych pop duo have not released a song this engaging since their 2010 album, Congratulations, and boy is this one a drastic shift in style. Drawing heavily on 80s goth pop - The Cure, Tears for Fears, Echo and the Bunnymen immediately come to mind - Little Dark Age creates a gloomy and nostalgic Halloween atmosphere that is equally chilling and catchy.
Gucci Mane feat. Rico Love - Miss My Woe
Gucci's latest release has quite a few enjoyable moments that establish a persona for the Atlanta rapper that focuses on forging a new path and reforming. The list of star-studded features on this record from the likes of Nicki Minaj, Migos, T.I., The Weeknd, make it hard to pick just one standout track. But what makes Miss My Woe so great is the fact that this is one of the few tracks that casts aside bass heavy production in favor of subtle gospel-styled keys and a softer vocal delivery. Gucci Mane's strength is without a doubt sticking to beats that will blow out your subwoofer, but it's refreshing to hear him lower the volume for a few minutes of self-reflection.
