Music

Top 5 Indie/Rock/Pop Releases: September

by Nicole Villeneuve

Each month, tons of new music from many taste-spanning genres is released into a fast-consuming, unforgiving audience; it can be tough to get a handle on what’s new before it’s on to the next. In an attempt to highlight the standout releases, at the end of each month, AUX staff re-cap the month in Punk, Metal, Indie/Pop/Rock, Hip Hop, Pop, and Dance with the top five releases in each. Consider it your cheat sheet for year-end lists.

Top 5 Indie/Rock/Pop Releases: September

 

Wild Flag – s/t

Hell. Yes. There’s something so special about this record in all its fun and loud rock and roll accessibility. Something more special about the fact that it’s made up of four members of some of my long-time favourite bands, some really important ones, (Sleater-Kinney, Helium, Minders) and something more special than all of that cred between them. It’s seeing sixteen year old girls carrying the vinyl under their arms and knowing it might just be the start for them; it’s knowing what’s next to come. It’s a trust and an understanding and it’s a simple joy in these songs, and it couldn’t have been put in better hands. (Merge).

St. Vincent – Strange Mercy

The first time I saw St. Vincent was also the first time I’d heard her. She was opening for Midlake at the Opera House in Toronto and her songs and her stare scared the shit out of me, in the best best way, and I bought whatever she was selling before her set was even over. Strange Mercy hit me sort of the same way, with a wash of awe but also this delight, in hearing her vast and strange creativity sound so in place, actually. Leaving the awe to us. This is brave and beautiful work; a defining album for Annie Clark, this is one we’ll look back to. (4AD)

Wilco – The Whole Love

In a recent interview, Wilco figurehead Jeff Tweedy told AUX that this album represents a new cohesion in the band, and listening to the Whole Love, he doesn’t sound wrong—these songs are some of the band’s strongest in years, clear and, though not really concise, at least direct, deliberate. Opener “Art Of Almost” has drawn more than one Radiohead comparison (if Radiohead still wrote songs), while the punch of “I Might,” the sweetness of the title track (featuring Feist), or the familiar Americana noodling of “One Sunday Morning” all add up to a whole that is effortlessly and timelessly more than the sum of its parts. (dBpm)

Dan Mangan – Oh Fortune

No matter what you were expecting from Dan Mangan on his highly anticipated new album Oh Fortune, it’s likely to be defied. Spending the last few years on the road and being swept up in a new level of success resulted in something still and stirring; quiet insights are rumbled to life by full-band arrangements and textures never before approached by Mangan. Though incredibly grounded, there’s also an intensity that might surprise you, and the wear that was always in that voice just sounds a little more weary now. Start with “Rows Of Houses” if you need some primer. (Arts&Crafts)

Army Girls – Close to the Bone

If you remember July’s list, you’ll know this was one of my most anticipated, and it didn’t disappoint. Stripped down, hook filled garage-y pop songs haven’t sounded this fresh in a long long time; Fucked Up’s Ben Cook manned the board for the duo, and his own solo inclinations towards vintage, soulful sounds surely didn’t hurt here. Singer Carmen Elle’s voice is powerful but grounded, and Andy Smith’s drumming keeps everything air-tight. This EP isn’t just a satisfying conclusion to a great single, it’s a sign of much more great things to come. (Blocks Recording Club)

Surprises, disappointments and albums to watch for next month

Surprise of the month: Dan Mangan.

Disappointment of the month: No! So many good things! Don’t want to ruin it!

Out in October: Feist,Zola Jesus, M83, Bruce Peninsula…another strong month.