New records are the reason for the season in today's New Release Roundup, as the final days of summer slip away into autumn. Filled with reviews of today's releases, it's sure to alert you to some of this month's most anticipated records. Give it a read below, then check our Recently Reviewed section for even more selections to add to your seasonal soundtrack.
While their 2010 effort Penny Sparkle failed to win over critics, Blonde Redhead have returned with Barragán, a record on which producer Drew Brown urged the band to limit their typically layered arrangements. Taking a decidedly more minimalist approach in their writing, our reviewer thinks the result sounds "more vulnerable than ever." Decide for yourself by reading the full review.
Toronto roots rockers the Wooden Sky have never been a group content with simply repeating their successful indie rock formula. Their fourth studio offering, Let's Be Ready, proves this with a record that captures the sounds of a confident band delivering a wide spectrum of emotions over the course of raw, driving indie-rock tunes. Fellow Toronto natives Zeus find themselves expanding their sonic influences past the fuzz of the '60s and '70s on Classic Zeus, all while touching on subjects such as growing pains, lovesickness and loneliness with unfailing optimism.
Having fittingly dropped the "young" prefix at the tender age of 36, Jeezy is no stranger to consistently releasing anthemic, trunk-knocking trap rap. While Seen It All: The Autobiography certainly continues to find the Atlanta emcee delivering the style, moments of self-reflection mark an influence and intimacy not often found in his body of work.
Finally, Edmonton-via-Montreal four-piece TOPS join the likes of Doldrums and Grimes on Montreal-based label Arbutus Records with Picture You Staring, a record highlighted by what our reviewer calls "pleasant and effortless" pop music.
Find tracks from the albums reviewed above and lots more on our Rdio Genre Playlists:
Pop & Rock
Folk & Country Dance & Electronic
While their 2010 effort Penny Sparkle failed to win over critics, Blonde Redhead have returned with Barragán, a record on which producer Drew Brown urged the band to limit their typically layered arrangements. Taking a decidedly more minimalist approach in their writing, our reviewer thinks the result sounds "more vulnerable than ever." Decide for yourself by reading the full review.
Toronto roots rockers the Wooden Sky have never been a group content with simply repeating their successful indie rock formula. Their fourth studio offering, Let's Be Ready, proves this with a record that captures the sounds of a confident band delivering a wide spectrum of emotions over the course of raw, driving indie-rock tunes. Fellow Toronto natives Zeus find themselves expanding their sonic influences past the fuzz of the '60s and '70s on Classic Zeus, all while touching on subjects such as growing pains, lovesickness and loneliness with unfailing optimism.
Having fittingly dropped the "young" prefix at the tender age of 36, Jeezy is no stranger to consistently releasing anthemic, trunk-knocking trap rap. While Seen It All: The Autobiography certainly continues to find the Atlanta emcee delivering the style, moments of self-reflection mark an influence and intimacy not often found in his body of work.
Finally, Edmonton-via-Montreal four-piece TOPS join the likes of Doldrums and Grimes on Montreal-based label Arbutus Records with Picture You Staring, a record highlighted by what our reviewer calls "pleasant and effortless" pop music.
Find tracks from the albums reviewed above and lots more on our Rdio Genre Playlists:
Pop & Rock
Folk & Country Dance & Electronic
