New Music Friday - Arctic Monkeys, The xx, and more

A lot of good stuff has been released since I left for Europe a couple weeks ago. Some well known acts came out with new albums, and one unknown act is setting the internet on fire with their new release. Let's get into it.

Arctic Monkeys - Humbug

The bad boys from High Green are back with their third release. This one was produced by Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme (he'll reappear in the blog when Them Crooked Vultures releases their album), and is a decided departure from their first two albums. Whereas Favourite Worst Nightmare and Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not were very direct, "this is who we are and how live" masterpieces of English angst, Humbug is much spacier. The band has embraced some more experimental aspects of rock and roll, and their album is a little slower and more introspective as a result. Personally, I think that this is a great album and I'm impressed when bands try different things and succeed. The band knows they're not going to make another "Whatever People Say..." and they're not trying. I like that.

Arctic Monkeys - Cornerstone

Matisyahu - Light

A slickly produced new LP from Matisyahu. It's alright I guess, but this is not a reggae album, which really disappointed me. The song styles cover a lot of ground, from hip hop to rock to pop to R&B, but there are very few Jamaican beats to be found. Matisyahu's signature delivery is still there, and his singing is probably at it's best. But I just couldn't get past the lack of dub. Now where do I go to get my Hasidic-Jew-Reggae fix?

Matisyahu - I Will Be Light

Mew - No More Stories Are Told Today...

Mew is a Danish band with several albums under their belt. They typically create long, complex compositions with some very pleasant vocals layered on top. Their new album is more accessible, which is a step in the right direction for the band. Their space pop opuses are still there, but they're four and a half minutes. The time signature changes are still there, but they're not as jarring. Give this band a try.

Mew - Introducing Palace Players

And now for something completely different...

The xx - xx

Similar to Passion Pit a few months ago, we may be the last blog on earth to write about these guys. Stunningly, The xx's debut release is currently the #1 album on lala.com, a spot typically reserved for acts like Lil' Wayne and Kings of Leon. Equally shocking is the fact that this band is made up of four 20 year olds. Their music is simple, airy stuff featuring alternating male and female vocals. The instrumentation behind the singing is precise but very basic. This gives the album an ethereal quality that you have to hear to appreciate. Completely different from my usual style, but certainly intriguing and worth a listen.

The xx - Islands

Imogen Heap - Ellipse

When this blog got started, I definitely didn't think I'd ever be writing about an artist featured on The O.C., but here we are. Ms. Heap has a beautiful voice, and rather than using the typical pop formula of simple guitar chords and some keyboards, she utilizes some really interesting electronic soundscapes. The production isn't complicated and allows her voice to remain front and center. And that's a good thing.

Imogen Heap - Swoon