Vecka 38-39

The Lemon Twigs

1 Sisteray (UK) London 4-piece SISTERAY has been on a ballistic-trajectory since following their debut 15 Minutes EP last year. Lighting up numerous festival stages and selling out venues, making a name and countless fans along the way. Sisteray Said begins with frenetic drumming riotous, guitar riffs, and a sordid bass groove on the track Wannabes. Calling out those who seem to relish on being anything but themselves, for instance, we all know those Instagram users or “influencers” that seem to have “perfect” lives… This one is for you. Thegirlsattherockshow

2 White Denim (US) Returning for their seventh studio album, White Denim’s mission statement remains the same. In band leader James Petralli’s words, that is “to make interesting, up-tempo rock’n’roll”. It is no surprise, then, to hear a litter of Southern rock wig-outs, garage fuzz, and jazz drumming at the core of ‘Performance’ - an album that refuses to let up across its nine tracks. ‘Double Death’. The latter is so tightly packed with bluesy licks from bass, guitar and harmonica that it feels like it might explode into full funk odyssey - but crucially, in spite of all the intricate instrumental jamming, no track here feels bloated. DIY

3 Eric Bachmann (US) Fresh in his fatherhood, Eric Bachmann contemplates the world and the lives we lead with new eyes on No Recover, thinking deeply and delivering some of the most powerful vocals in his creative arc. The relatively sparse instrumentation here is a far cry from his punk rock work in Archers of Loaf. Exclaim

4 Maribou State (UK) The English electronic band has grown beyond the pressures that come with immediate hype, something that’s led many a ‘next big thing’ to where-are-they-now pub chats a few years later. On Kingdoms in Colour they diverge from the ‘bass music’ tag that umbrella-termed UK club music at the turn of 2010 and instead cherry pick the global influences they’ve discovered since their 2015 debut LP Portraits.  Crack

5 Lemon Twigs (US) (bilden) are an American rock band from Long Island, New York, United States, fronted by brothers Brian D'Addario and Michael D'Addario. Like everything The Lemon Twigs do, the record is heavily indebted to Todd Rundgren. So much so that he’s even featured on the thing (playing Shane’s dad), with Big Star’s Jody Stephens featured on drums on a few tracks too. Conceptually and sonically (can you believe you’re reading that?), this record is similar to the groovier, glammy ‘70s rock operas like Billion Dollar Babies, Jesus Christ Superstar, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and The Rocky Horror Show. Elton John. Go to School is an artistic statement on a grand scale, and it cements their reputation as world-class songwriters. It’s a once-in-a-generation epic that, unfortunately, The Lemon Twigs will never be able to do again, owing to the purity of concept and execution here. TLOBF

6 Saintseneca (US) is an American folk rock band from Columbus, Ohio, that was formed in 2007 by singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Zac Little. Pillar of Na is a compelling (though hardly straightforward) exercise in 21st century folk-rock with progressive, indie pop, and gospel elements threaded through its weave. Stereogum

7 IDLES (UK) The fun punks´ second album is an immediate classic NME IDLES’ 2017 breakthrough record Brutalism established the Bristol outfit as contenders to Britain’s long-rusted punk throne. Their missives on Tory rule and the destruction of socialist ideals makes for unlikely hooks.  That fiery energy is buoyed by Talbot, the undoubted star. A witty, absorbing character, he’s Jonny Rotten without the need to flog butter; Mark E Smith with a bright-side sense of moral conscience. CRACK

8 MASEGO (US) Micah Davis (born June 8, 1993), better known by his stage name Masego, 

is a Jamaican-American musician with South African roots. Masego self-describes his music 

as "traphousejazz," making sure his originality isn't confused for being an amalgamation of other 

existing styles. His 2017 record, in collaboration with perennial groove-machine FKJ, "Tadow"

 is an elaborate piece of music that shines light on the immeasurable talent possessed by both 

musicians and the undeniable chemistry that they share. discovervibes

9 Paul Weller (UK) True Meanings hits the mark due to its cohesiveness. It is Weller’s singer-songwriter album, acoustic and reflective in tone, and carefully, delicately textured. on True Meanings he excels with a sequence of songs that stylistically reference traditional and contemporary folk (from Britain’s Martin Carthy to Ireland’s Conor O’Brien) while touching on moods that range from physical and earthy to cerebral and intimate. Irish Times

10 Spiritualized (US) Jason Pierce does not make casual records. Since the start of his career, nearly four decades ago, the co-founder of Spacemen 3 and the center of the Spiritualized universe has dived headlong into sounds, styles, and themes with ecclesiastical obsessiveness. “The Morning After,” are as cutting and jarring as teenage pain. Taken together, they feel like Pierce coming to comfortable terms with his legacy. Pitchfork

Som vanligt har ni två veckor på er att lyssna på dessa alster. 
Sista röstningsdatum är söndagen den 30 september. Här är länken.