DEATH GRIPS - THE MONEY STORE
HIP HOP/EXPERIMENTAL
SIMILAR ARTISTS: nothing comes close.
This is the album that introduced me to what is now one of my favorite artists of all time. I initially had heard a couple of their more popular songs (Takyon, Guillotine)—but never really LISTENED to them—and found them interesting but too abrasive for me. I decided to listen to this album after hearing great things, completely forgetting that I had heard of them previously. On first listen to many of their songs I hated them. A few listens later, I loved the production but still found the vocals too crazy. A few more listens later, I think they're one of the most brilliant and interesting bands of at least the last decade. The Money Store is usually referred to as their most accessible and standard album, and a good entry to Death Grips. I think that's probably true for the most part, but it's impossible to give an entry to them because every album sounds fundamentally different. As a result, I recommend moving in chronological order if you like this album, and going back to their self titled EP and mixtape Exmilitary if you like what you hear initially. The Money Store itself is a chaotic record full of sampling, catchy hooks, and pop stylings composed of noise influenced and abrasive production and incredibly abrasive vocals that are at first offputting but after some time will have you singing (or is it screaming?) along, and hopefully will be interesting enough that you decide to pursue the remainder of the discography. It's a journey that
CUT COPY - HAIKU FROM ZERO
INDIE/POP
SIMILAR ARTISTS: GRIZZLY BEAR, EMPIRE OF THE SUN
This album is full of feelgood tunes using a variety of approaches. Every song is beautifully produced with catchy melodies and choruses, and everything just makes you want to move. Along with being an album you can really say is chill and boppy at the same time, it's also one that feels equally perfect being played through headphones in bed just to smile along to and being blasted at a summer pool party. Each song has its own interesting aesthetic and style to it, with the common denominator being a nu-retro guitar style with bubbly synths, and that style is always one that really gives a distinct vibe—Black Rainbows, for example, is an incredibly groovy song about never giving up, and nails the joyous side of idea. Tied To The Weather, on the other hand, being the saddest song on the album, ditches the retropop sensibilities and hits a more delicate electronica balance that feels exactly like what the song tells us—you may be sad and alone when all is said and done, but the future is just as bright as the past was. Emotion seems like an afterthought on first listen, but I assure you that it's all there, just a little hard to spot.