Electro-pop featuring strongly again this week, with Ladytron and Methyl Ethel producing some impressive stuff. Those with a predisposition to punk-pop should check out Lazybones while hip-hop fans will enjoy Czarface meets Ghostface. However trip-hop shoegaze epic Fifteen from SPC ECO wins out. Sample playlist below, though the album of the week isn’t on Spotify yet.
SPC ECO – Fifteen
A beautiful blend of shoegaze and trip-hop from former Curve member Dean Garcia and his daughter.
Rating: 8/10 – Read full review
Ladytron – Ladytron
Some outstanding numbers in this electro-pop, new wave release. Greater consistency, or trimming some of the excess fat, could have seen it with a much higher rating.
Rating: 7.5/10 – Read full review
Lazybones – Bang! Bang! (EP)
An immensely fun power punk pop blast that shows great promise from this Brighton trio.
Rating: 7/10 – Read full review
Czarface – Czarface Meets Ghostface
Some smart hip-hop in this collaboration from Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah and Czarface, which also features another member of the Clan.
Rating: 7/10
Methyl Ethel – Triage
A competent and sometimes entrancing album from the Australian art rockers, but suffers from inconsistency.
Rating: 6.5/10 – Read full review
Pye Corner Audio – Hollow Earth
Rich electronic dreamscapes with elements of tunes and the occasional beat thrown in, reminiscent of Boards of Canada at times. Much prefer their other incarnation as Head Technician
Rating: 6.5/10
Perfect Son – Cast
More 80s-influenced electronic work here. There are some great tracks, but the album feels somehow a little soulless.
Rating 6.5/10
Theon Cross– Fyah
Some nice recollections of last year’s Sons of Kemet album ‘Your Queen is a Reptile’, in which Cross’s Tuba work played an integral role, but Fyah just make me want to listen to that again.
Rating: 6/10
Swmrs – Berkeley’s On Fire
Straight out indie rock that is hugely enjoyable to listen to, but at the same time instantly forgettable.
Rating: 6/10
Piroshka – Brickbat
Something of a 90s indie supergroup, featuring former members of Lush and Elastica, and feels firmly rooted in that era. This album struggled to provide more than the occasional moment of interest.
Rating: 6/10
Stats – Other People’s Lives
Dance and pop with the occasional bit of funk. Singer sounds a bit like Gary Newman at times. Doesn’t set the heart racing
Rating: 6/10
Yann Tiersen – All
Piano-heavy neoclassical work with the occasional bit of electronic noodling. Paints some nice textures but falls far short of being a masterpiece.
Rating: 6/10
The Album Review 