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Top 5 Albums of September

Jake Craney
Latest posts by Jake Craney (see all)

September Covers

 

September was a big month for new releases. Huge names like Metric, Ben Folds, Mac Miller, Disclosure, Silversun Pickups, and Lana Del Rey all released new albums. Here are the 5 new records we thought were the best of the best this month (along with what we’re excited about for October).
 

  1. My Brothers & I – Don’t Dream Alone

Great blend of styles mixed with great vocals and big hooks. That’s a winning recipe. If the name is new to you, check out Don’t Dream Alone and get familiar!

  1. Craig Finn – Faith In The Future

Craig Finn is a special storyteller. His Midwestern American narratives come together again on Faith In The Future like little vignettes – painting vivid pictures for the listener. He is among a handful of songwriters that tell stories in a way that’ll automatically transport you to a different town on a different night. It may take a couple listens, but Faith In The Future will get its hooks in you and not let go.

  1. Hibou – S/T

Peter Michel, the man behind Hibou, has created a marvelous first impression on the music world. I only needed one half of one song to realize he was going to serve up impressive music that will stand out amongst his peers. What makes the album so impressive is the consistency. Most debuts have their share of “standout tracks.” Hibou is just one solid, strong album. This is the unquestioned under-the-radar gem of September.

  1. CHVRCHES – Every Open Eye

CHVRCHES could have gone a couple ways. They could have gone less dancy and more “serious” or toned down in an attempt to gain kudos amongst music critics (whatever that term means). They could have also tried to replicate the style of their massively successful debut. They didn’t do either, and the result is a reward for the fans.

Instead of shying away from their catchy nature, they embraced it. They pumped up their hooks, infused their dance-ready beats with more juice, and rocked out. “Keep You By My Side,” “Bury It” and “Empty Threat” all bring massive radio-ready hooks. The home-run midpoint “High Enough To Carry You Over” provides a surprisingly pleasant vocal break, and if you don’t innately start dancing at the climax of “Clearest Blue,” you may need to check to see if you have a pulse.

What will set Every Open Eye apart from contemporaries is that CHVRCHES aren’t keen on throwing a hook out there without some meat on it. They have themes, points, and messages they need to get across. They have a true voice – which makes this album all the more enjoyable. It’s big, catchy pop with a purpose. Well done.

  1. The Wonder Years – No Closer To Heaven

So yeah, you could have penciled this in as my #1 before it even came out. TWY has been one of my absolute favorite bands for years now, and their new album does nothing to change that. They can really no longer be called a “pop punk” band (twitter handle be damned). They shed any sort of pop from that label several dozen songs ago. What we have now are blistering, hard-hitting tracks mixed with more toned down, ultra-emotional fare. We have seen TWY grow and tackle bigger and more complex material, and everything they release seems to be a step forward and a step up. No Closer To Heaven aims high, and these once scrappy pop-punkers have grown and hit their mark yet again.

 
 

Also Recommended:

FIDLAR – Too

Metric – Pagans In Vegas

Fetty Wap – S/T

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention our buddies in Beta Play. While not a full-length, the Santa Barbara boys released their new EP (their first as Beta Play) and it is absolutely awesome as expected. Slightly more electronic-heavy than their previous work as Tommy & The High Pilots, the new EP bursts from the speakers  with their familiar endearing, hook-heavy charm.

 

Missed my radar this month:

Ryan Adams – 1989

Silversun Pickups – Better Nature

Mac Miller – GO:OD AM

Lana Del Rey – Honeymoon

 

Looking forward to in October:

NYM – Convex

Joshua Hyslop – In Deepest Blue

Editors – In Dream

Allison Weiss – New Love

Marianas Trench – Astoria

Wavves – V

Coheed and Cambria – The Color Before The Sun

Small Black – Best Blues

The Neighbourhood – Wiped Out!

Sam Russo – Greyhound Dreams