Translated material
What did we listen to in August
The best albums according to "Medusa"
Every month, Medusa talks about the most interesting Russian and foreign albums.
Frank Ocean - Blonde
What is this. The most anticipated album of summer
Why listen. Four years ago, Frank Ocean released the breakthrough album “Channel Orange”, showing the world a completely new Rural. Another disc was expected no less than the album of Kanye West. As a result, Ocean rolled out two releases exclusively for Apple Music: Actually, the Blonde license plate and the audiovisual work “Endless” (moreover, “Endless” appeared, apparently, only so that Ocean could fulfill the terms of the DEF JAM label and dispose of the full -fledged “Blonde” album in its own way discretion). “Blonde” is also the most discussed album of summer: some proclaim it with the best record of the year, others complain at the syndrome of the second album. Probably, Blonde is really less chittic than “Channel Orange”, but he cannot refuse in ingenuity and penetration - in a word, there is not a single reason to not listen to him.
Cass Mccombes - Mangy Love
What is this. Eighth (and possibly the best) album of an important California bard
Why listen. Cass McCombs this time does not try to show how he knows how to do everything in the world (including the Caver on Thin Lizzy); So it turned out a whole folk album. To the traditional discussions about what kind of people unpleasant creatures, performances on political and anti -war themes were added to Mangy Love. It is not for nothing that Maccombs compare with Edidio Smith and Nile Yang: for the ability to ironize over vulgarity, to be beautiful, compose outstanding melodies - and change from the song to the song, remaining true to yourself.
Crystal Castles - Amnesty (i)
What is this. The first album of the main HIVHAUS DUETH WITH A NEW Vocalist
Why listen. Producer Ethan Kat, a harsh Canadian with the face of a serial killer, two years ago, Elis Glass quarreled from the front -line Crystal Castles. The new album, obviously, should show that Glass in Crystal Castles is not the main thing, and the group without it will be no worse. It was possible to do this only in part. Of course, “amnesty (i)” the language will not turn to call an unsuccessful album; On the contrary, Crystal Castles is revealed from the new sides, and indeed it is the most affordable and melodic plate of the group. But nevertheless, its best numbers were those in which the new vocalist Edith Francis is not trying to reproduce the Glass manner - unfortunately, and there are also enough attempts to continue the tradition.
Vince Staples - Prima Donna
What is this. Mini-album of the rising star of rap
Why listen. Only six songs (plus one intro), which briefly explain why Vince Steaples is one of the best young rappers in the world; Despite the fact that his reality is far from the mainstream hip-hop. Steaps collaborates with the electrician James Blake, for a new release releases a 10-minute surreal video-and enters into philosophical thoughts in his interviews. The new mini-album turned out to be diverse: there is a minimalist “War Ready” (produced by the same Blake), and practically rock song “Smile”, and a magnificent burden in Prima Donna.
Subrosa - for this we fough The Battle of Ags
What is this. Dum-metal with violins based on the anti-utopia of Zamyatin
Why listen . Subrosa is one of the most atypical thought-metalls: in the music of a team from Ohio there are more violins and melodic multi-nakedness than slow rolling drums and seething guitars. “For this We Fought the Battle of Ags” is entirely devoted to the anti -utopia of Zamyatin “We”: from there, and the plots of songs and the general atmosphere. Folk echoes the post-rock, canonical thoughts-with Dream-Pop; The compositions are so saturated that they do not have time to get bored-with all their defiant length (on the album, for example, two 15-minute compositions). And no grinder.
Thee Oh Sees - a Weird Exits
What is this. The best rock album of summer
Why listen. Despite the fertility - they have more than a dozen studio releases - Thee Oh Sees did not sign up and continue to think of their company sound (which was adopted by a new wave of California punk in the person of Wavves and others). In the current composition of the group, there are two drummers who, working synchronously, create a jumping pier. There are more instrumental psychedelic compositions on the album than songs themselves, and in vain - such drivers such as the title “Dead Manʼs Gun”, Thee Oh Sees has not been recorded for a long time.