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newmusickarl · 3 years

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Album & EP Recommendations

Album of the Week: Happier Than Ever by Billie Eilish

A woman who needs no introduction at this point, this week saw pop sensation Billie Eilish finally release her much-anticipated sophomore album, Happier Than Ever.

Now although I enjoyed her breakout debut When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? I certainly wasn’t as enamoured with it to the extent that some people were, finding it to be impressive but just a tad overhyped. However, with this album the preceding singles had caught my intrigue, with Billie showing early signs of greater artistic maturity. Turns out they were a good indication, as this album sees Billie and producer brother Finneas really coming into their own.

If you’ve heard any Billie Eilish song, you’ll be aware by now that she’s not your typical popstar. Where her peers will max out on glossy production and consistently push their vocals to the limits, Billie typically takes a much more subtle approach. With her brother co-writing these songs and steering the ship as it were, Billie’s music never once becomes overburdened with unnecessary sonic elements across the 16 tracks here. Instead, everything is perfectly understated, ensuring that the moments where the pair do loosen the reigns a bit and go full throttle, they happen with even greater impact.

This is evidenced early on, as the album begins with Billie quietly entering into a one-sided conversation with the listener - catching them up on how she’s Getting Older, “aging well” and offering her current thoughts and feelings surrounding her growing fame. Suddenly out of nowhere, the sound of a dog growling fills the audio for the start of I Didn’t Change My Number and a defiant Billie begins to chime in on the attack. The beat continues drawing shades to a growl in the background, before exploding into a ravey bark for the euphoric instrumental outro.

It’s the perfect one-two combination to start the record and from there the pair continue to control the right balance between restraint and sharp moments of extravagance – be it Finneas working his magic in the studio or Billie letting her voice soar beyond her signature whisper. At times this is even achieved within a single track, such as the gloriously tribal electronic pulse of Oxytocin, which for me draws comparisons to Crystal Castles, offering one of the real high points of this record.

Speaking of high points there are many to choose from here, including bluesy break-up anthem Lost Cause, which sees Billie tear into her undoubtedly regretful ex-boyfriend with playful wit. Single Your Power then offers a different vibe altogether - a stunning, beautifully written ballad where Billie pleads with those holding powerful positions to reflect on the responsibility they have to others. However, it is arguably the title track itself that tops the lot here, beginning as a gentle acoustic number with a vulnerable Billie, before switching up sonically and thematically midway through, erupting into an incredible, soaring rock song in which Billie sings of having no regrets.

It’s an absolute triumph of a song and really an absolute triumph of an album. After having such a successful debut and building such a huge fanbase, the pressure was on Billie and Finneas to deliver big with this record. With Happier Than Ever they have achieved that, successfully showing how they have evolved as songwriters whilst also delivering one of the most accomplished and well-crafted pop records of the year thus far.

Listen to Happier Than Ever here

Animal by LUMP (Laura Marling & Mike Lindsay)

Elsewhere, acclaimed singer-songwriter Laura Marling and Mercury Prize-winning producer Mike Lindsay have teamed up once again for their second collaborative album.

Animal makes for an endlessly enchanting listen, with Lindsay’s array of electronics, guitars and classical instrumentation offering the perfect backdrop for Marling’s angelic, folky vocals. It somehow manages to feel both experimental and expertly moulded, with the sound this creative partnership has forged having a bewitching quality to it that will really put you under its spell.

From the sprinkling synth patterns and big bassline of opener Bloom At Night, the whirring wonderment of Gamma Ray, the twinkling of instrumental Hair On the Pillow to the epic, jazz-infused conclusion of Phantom Limb, this is a really fascinating record that is well worth your time.

Listen to Animal here

American Noir by Creeper

And finally on the Albums & EPs front, Southampton’s goth-rockers Creeper revealed their latest rock opera in the form of this typically theatrical 20-minute listen.

What’s more, they’ve managed to make it work as both a continuation of the story begun on recent album Sex, Death & The Infinite Void for the hardcore fans, as well as an engaging standalone release for those not familiar. From the soaring majesty of Midnight to the flamboyant glam-rock of Ghosts Over Calvary, through to the string-tinged closer Damned & Doomed, all in all this EP makes for a really fun listen.

Listen to American Noir here

Tracks of the Week

In Blur by Deafheaven

Onto the tracks front then this week and post-metal outfit Deafheaven continue to tease their potential Album of the Year contender with their sublime new sound. In Blur carries on in the same vein as the other recent singles, with clean vocals and more melodic guitar textures layering their dreamy shoegaze sound. Culminating in some really scintillating guitar work, anticipation for this one for me is now at a fever pitch.

Listen to In Blur here

Mimi by Big Red Machine feat. Ilsey

Another teaser from Aaron Dessner & Justin Vernon’s next Big Red Machine album also dropped this week, with singer-songwriter Ilsey Juber joining Vernon on lead vocal duties for this wonderful electric folk track.

Listen to Mimi here

Skate by Silk Sonic

Just when it looked like Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars would never release more than one track under their Silk Sonic guise, they finally dropped their second single Skate this week, which delivers fun nostalgic vibes of 70s R&B and soul.

Listen to Skate here

Blue Heaven by Public Service Broadcasting feat. Andreya Casablanca

Coming off the back of People, Let’s Dance which is still one of my songs of the year thus far, musical historians Public Service Broadcasting team up with Gurr’s Andreya Casablanca for the second teaser from forthcoming album Bright Magic. Completely different to the first release, this one is a brilliant, guitar-driven slice of dreamy indie-pop. Another album I can’t wait to hear!

Listen to Blue Heaven here

PMA by All Time Low feat. Pale Waves

A rousing pop-punk collaboration about Post-Modern Anxiety, All Time Low and Pale Waves make for a match made in heaven on this hugely infectious tune.

Listen to PMA here

Enter Sandman by Weezer

And finally this week, the latest release from Metallica’s Blacklist project is a respectful cover of the classic Enter Sandman by rock legends Weezer. Great vocal performance by Rivers Cuomo on this one.

Listen to Weezer’s Enter Sandman cover here

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netdaddy · 7 years

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Deeper Digs in Rock: Laurence Juber & Martin Dreadnought Guitar

Christian dives into Martin Acoustic Guitars with GRAMMY-Award winning guitarist Laurence Juber, who shares his personal experience playing a Dreadnought guitar. Laurence Juber is a solo performer, recording artist, composer and arranger. His playing fuses folk, jazz, blues, pop and classical styles, creating a multi-faceted performance that belies the use of only one instrument. Internationally recognized as lead guitarist in Beatle Paul McCartney's Wings, Juber has since established himself as world-renowned guitar virtuoso and entertainer.

Laurence released his latest album 'LJ Can't Stop Playing the Beatles' on March 3 this year. Stream or download wherever you listen to great music.

In 1833, guitar maker Christian Frederick Martin crossed the ocean in search of freedom from restriction and the opportunities of a new land. Settling in Nazareth, PA, his arrival marked the beginning of what is now a 6-generation continuously family owned and operated company, C.F. Martin & Co., and a tradition of American guitar building.

One of Martin's greatest contributions to our musical landscape was its 1916 introduction of the Dreadnought style guitar. Named after the game changing British war ship, the HMS Dreadnought, this large-bodied, powerful acoustic guitar still thrives today. It is a primary tool of countless musicians, and a mainstay in the factories and shops of guitar builders around the globe.

At NAMM’s Museum of Making Music, based in Carlsbad, CA, you can visit this unique special exhibition and experience the Dreadnought for yourself. Discover its fascinating story, hear its iconic sound and ponder its far-reaching impact. Oh, and don't forget to take a seat on the couch try some out for yourself!

The special gallery is available to visitors now through April 31. Head to https://www.museumofmakingmusic.org/exhibits/dreadnought for more info.

Follow Laurence Juber on Twitter @OM28LJ and NAMM's Museum of Making Music @MuseumMaknMusic

Check out this episode!

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