SUFJAN STEVENS - CARRIE & LOWELL
INDIE/FOLK/ALTERNATIVE
SIMILAR ARTISTS: BON IVER, FLEET FOXES
Sufjan's emotional indie masterwork about his parents' relationship draws upon themes that have run through his entire life and career, discussing love, fear, and sadness in both broad strokes and delicate pencil lines. While some tracks tread close to the line of the relatable catchy indie folk song (Should Have Known Better, Fourth of July), Sufjan never elevates them beyond the ballads they present themselves as—they are built indelibly into the emotional picture he paints, and despite a chorus that is easier to remember than others on the album the message punches through just as easily. This is an album both to cry to, and to sing along to—a contrast that is tough to hit.
MGMT - LITTLE DARK AGE
SYNTH POP, ELECTRONICA
SIMILAR ARTISTS: You know MGMT, they made Kids. But I guess PASSION PIT, STRFKR
This album is a return to form for an MGMT that seemed a little bit lost with what they wanted to go for on their last two albums, Congratulations and a self titled. Both albums were inconsistent and strange in some spots, but here a cohesive and cool picture is formed pretty quickly, with the title track and When You Die setting the stage for a slightly psychedelic trip through 80s chill synth pop. Tracks like Me and Michael turn up the power pop dial slightly, while TSLAMP and Hand It Over become infectious slow burners with a lot behind them. The whole album is beyond catchy, and while some tracks may fall into the strange zone a bit they still have the same fun kick that'll make you love 'em whether you like it or not (as a side note, Hand It Over is one of the best songs they've ever made).