2021 Album Mini Reviews
See below some mini reviews of albums I have enjoyed this year. While I have enjoyed many more albums this year, I thought 10 was nice round number of albums that for one who has not heard these, has a realistic enough time to before the year is out.
Lala Lala - “I Want the Door to Open”
This album is very good. I love the diverse electronics, saxophone, vocal textures; along with sprinkles of experimental structures and compositional ideas. This record is somehow simultaneously reminiscent of Laurie Anderson, P!nk and Agar Agar. Lala Lala provides some unique composition ideas to an indie pop record. Stand outs are “Plates”, “Color of the Pool”, “Photo Photo” and “Utopia Planet”.
Coldplay - “Music of the Spheres”
This album is a bit of a turn for the pop giant, in production quality and pop-centred ideas. A strong concept piece that is adequately presented (even with symbol track titles or not). While some have called this album sterile of emotion, I disagree. It is general and wide in emotional appeal; and spacey in the hard sci-fi sense, rather than reverb soaked bedroom producer vibes. Some interesting collaborations on here and concise in its presentation. Top tracks are “Colortura”, “Let Somebody Go” and “♡”.
Illuminati Hotties - “Let Me Do One More”
This is a good addition to the top rock albums of the year. Striking indie-rock guitars sprinkled with a touch of pop-punk drums and style. Self aware, fun, ironic, youthful stories of parties and relationships; all cement the narrative; with a secret understanding there is more here than meets the eye. My favourites are “Growth”, “Cheap Shoes” and “Threatening Each Other re: Capitalism”.
Vangelis - “Juno To Jupiter”
This album is epic in scope and outcome. Through many layered electronic, orchestral and noise textures; Vangelis has created a masterpiece of the cosmos and gods. The layers sometimes feel disconnected but coherent in a brilliant way. Not much else to compare it to, other than his previous work and the work of epic composers of the past. Stand out tracks are “Inside Our Perspectives”, “Out In Space”, “Juno’s Quiet Determination”, “Jupiter’s Veil of Clouds” and “Juno’s Echos”.
Golden Vessel - “Get Forward EP”
This short number is one likely to get stuck in your head. The production of this local Brisbane artist is simultaneously fresh and familiar. The 10 minute or so track can be easily repeated multiple times. The high quality vocal production is a nice little addition to the standard indie apathetic chops. The simple drums are hypnotic; the vocal harmonies are pleasant; and the electric timbres float in and out so they never overstay their welcome.
Todd Anderson-Kunert - “You Promised”
Solitary and poignant, this work provokes many feelings, very simply. Like his other work, this album slides between solo electronic sounds to thicker textures. Always feeling like it is moving somewhere, while hanging around as long as it needs on ideas. The break of the 2 singular meta tracks is interesting. Always in for a good time with this artist as his drone is much more palatable for a wider audience. My favourite breaks are “Taken (part 2)” and “Given (part 3)”.
Holy Holy - “Hello My Beautiful World”
Some serious production revamps in this album. A continuation of their latest style, the band has moved away from simple guitar ballads, and has embraced the Indie-pop moniker. I am loving the strings, and subtle synths. Also, the additional vocal layers are appreciated across the album. Stand out tracks include “Shoreditch”, “Ghosts”, “The Aftergone” and “The Aftergone (Coda)”.
Film School - “We Weren’t Here”
There is some amazing production on this album. From swirling guitars, clean bass, ominous synth tones and “word of god” smack-bang in the centre vocals. This is a concise (which I love) and genre-defying work that keeps on giving. While invoking ideas from bands such as “Wild Nothing” and other contemporaries, they push the wall with tastes of “Radiohead” and “Touch Sensitive”. My favourites are “Superperfection”, “Said Your Name”, “Drone 2” and “Take What you Need”.
Tyler, The Creator - “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST”
This is the latest in the string of fantastic albums from Tyler, The Creator. His compositional skills have no bounds. With styles ranging from gangsta rap, emotional lofi hip-hop, inspired elevator music, to emotional classical instrumentation; this album has genre range. His interesting structures in hip-hop create interest and keep things moving. May his reign continue. Best tracks are “LUMBERJACK”, “MANIFESTO” and “MASSA”.
Tom Hall - “Failed Attempts At Silence”
Brisbane noise artist Tom Hall explores data and a diverse range of electronic hardware and home-made software in this hour and a half epic. Each track explores multiple ideas, while having a sense of familiarity and motif. This is a tricky balance to achieve in the genre. One of my heroes in his Max-Msp work, this album certainly delivers more than it should. Stand outs are “Fold into Fold”, “Dilated”, “Regression of Consciousness” and “Dualistic Ordering of Events”.
