David Byrne and St. Vincent, ‘Who’ – Song Review
You know that saying about chocolate and peanut butter? The same goes for David Byrne and Annie Clark (you know her as St. Vincent), an intergenerational avant pop Reese's cup collaboration that has given us one of the most concisely strange songs we've heard yet this year, called 'Who.'
Grizzly Bear, ‘Yet Again’ – Song Review
By the time Ed Droste sings, “Yet again, we are the only ones,” you will need no further reminder of what makes Grizzly Bear so mesmerizing. They have long been masters of harmonic hypnosis (see: ‘Ready, Able’) but their newest, ‘Yet Again,’ is exceptionally enchanting. An inebriating mixture of swirling lullaby and subtle tension, the track is an exhibition of Droste’s mastery of indie pop songcraft.
Scott Avett Discusses the Heart of ‘The Carpenter’ and the Avett Brothers’ In-the-Works Film – Exclusive Interview
The Avett Brothers are beloved, and rightfully so. The North Carolina band plays an honest-to-goodness banjo-and-cello Americana blend that is as genuine as it is good. Their faithfulness has earned them a dedicated fanbase, one eagerly awaiting ‘The Carpenter,’ the band’s sixth studio album. Diffuser.fm talked with Scott Avett about how the brothers inherited their parents’ work ethic, what it feels like to find the emotional seed of a song and how their decade-in-development documentary film is shaping up.
The Gaslight Anthem, ‘Teenage Rebellion’ – Song Review
Standing on a Manhattan rooftop last week, I was talking with a fellow music media type. I mentioned that I dug the new Gaslight Anthem, to which she exclaimed, “People love that band!” I confirmed that yes, they are to be adored: wrenching hearts and rocking hard, the boys from New Jersey capture something special -- as is the case with ‘Teenage Rebellion,’ in which frontman Brian Fallon spills his guts with care.
The Antlers, ‘Undersea’ – Album Review
The newest offering from the Antlers is as unassuming as it is counterintuitive. That a band that established itself with two albums of urgent domestic conversationals (those being 2009's 'Hospice' and 2011's 'Burst Apart') would next create an aquatically themed four-song EP is, to say the least, surprising, but not nearly so much as the realization that 'Undersea' is really, really good.
Dirty Projectors, ‘Buckle Up’ – Song Review
Oftentimes listening to the Dirty Projectors is a guarantee of gorgeously constructed harmonies, inventive guitar work and deceptively clever lyricism. That is not the case with 'Buckle Up.'
The Gaslight Anthem, ‘Handwritten’ – Album Review
The first time I fell recklessly in love, the Gaslight Anthem was our soundtrack, their late night howls and raging raptures so much our own, and again Gaslight's tattooed hands held it in its death. And so it was with a heavy heart -- and recognition of my own dramatic ridiculousness -- that I’ve plunged into ‘Handwritten,’ the New Jersey band’s fourth studio album.
Bat for Lashes, ‘Laura’ – Song Review
To say that Natasha Khan is haunting -- or haunted -- is as obvious as it is understatement. The woman that is Bat for Lashes made a breakthrough in 2009 with the stomping and luxurious 'Two Suns' and distills her poetics in 'Laura,' a knee-quaking and minimalist ballad. Listen below.
Flea, ‘Helen Burns’ – Album Review
Is Flea the most excellent dude is rock? Probably. Is the Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist’s debut EP ‘Helen Burns’ the most delightful surprise of the year? Certainly.
Menomena, ‘Heavy Is as Heavy Does’ – Song Review
Family life is heavy stuff. That's evidenced in the tasteful cacophony of 'Heavy is as Heavy Does,' the newest track from Menomena.