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Best albums and tracks of July 2012

sean [Edit] [Delete] 44 replies 19:34 July 22nd, 2012

Only another week or so to go of this month (most things have leaked or are streaming on NPR or wherever), what have you all been loving?

I'm compiling an On the Stereo piece, and will cherry-pick a few user submissions, simply write the Artist Name, track/album name and then a sentence or three about what it is, and ideally provide a link so I can grab it to embed it.

Album of the month? For me it was definitely Twin Shadow - some truly triumphant power anthems on there, and love me some gloriously gloomy-verging-on-emo lyrics. Loved the Antlers Undersea EP too, although I do realise I'm getting predictable...

Here's my July Spotify playlist of stuff I've been listening to: http://open.spotify.com/user/seaninsound/playlist/6ltmVbqVtjnX0PnPKoMx8x
Metric – Breathing Underwater
Cat Power – Ruin
The Who – Drowned
Twin Shadow – Run My Heart
Yeasayer – Henrietta
Echo Lake – Wild Peace
The Antlers – Drift Dive
dEUS – One Thing About Waves
Dirty Projectors – Gun Has No Trigger
D'eon – My iPhone Tracks My Every Move
Jacques Greene – Arrow
Actress – Ascending
NGUZUNGUZU – Warm Pulse
Gatekeeper – Exolift
Motion Sickness Of Time Travel – The Center
Nico Muhly – Part I
Jesca Hoop – The House That Jack Built

View NestedLinear

The Vaccines - No Hope

HumbugNightmare | 22 Jul '12, 19:39 | X | ^ This | Reply
Knox-Om-Pax - Regional Surrealism

Wicked album its up there with his first, love the tracks: Isotonic Pool, At Home With Mum And Dad, Glacier Mountain Descent, Pillars Of Creation, Slootering at the moment. Spaced out noisey synth-scapes.

jimitheexploder | 22 Jul '12, 19:45 | X | ^ This | Reply

Joseph_SP and E_H_Gombreak this'd this
- This IS lovely, rather
  
  Have been wallowing in it of late.
  
  Mike_Diver @jimitheexploder | 23 Jul '12, 15:43 | X | ^ This | Reply
- His labelmate Polysick's album is a radiant thing too
  
  E_H_Gombreak @jimitheexploder | 23 Jul '12, 15:52 | X | ^ This | Reply
Frank Ocean

obvious cat

WhiteLightWhiteCity | 22 Jul '12, 22:57 | X | ^ This | Reply
- yeah, that just hit our recommended section
  
  http://drownedinsound.com/lists/recommended-records
  
  sean @WhiteLightWhiteCity | 23 Jul '12, 10:29 | X | ^ This | Reply
PLVS VLTRA - Flowers to Bees

Such a great pop record. It's got a hook with interesting subtext. I got quite addicted to that song a few weeks ago, played it quite a few times in a row. Brilliant.
http://open.spotify.com/track/2E99I7IdUturgeNbGlsacM

Lililololaure | 22 Jul '12, 23:03 | X | ^ This | Reply
Dirty Projectors - Swing Lo Magellan

Dirty Projectors - Just from Chevron

runner up:
Delicate Steve - Positive Force
Delicate Steve - Wally Wilder

politelydeclined | 23 Jul '12, 10:46 | X | ^ This | Reply
Purity Ring - Shrines

Out today. Not seen many reviews which is weird as I thought it was one of those "buzz releases" the kids go on about online. Maybe it leaked or something, what do I know, I'm old. Any way I really like it, good pop songs, good production, something wonderfully just-strange-enough about it

avl06 | 23 Jul '12, 11:22 | X | ^ This | Reply

cronenberg and stalecloud this'd this
- Agreed
  
  I've been looking forward to hearing this album since hearing the b-side track 'Lofticries' last year. Yes, it's poppy - and yes, it has a squeaky clean production, but on the whole it's pretty good.
  
  I've seen several reviews and they're typically coming in with 8/10 and 9/10, so it appears to be well liked.
  
  I even managed to bag one of the coloured-vinyl LPs with the limited polaroid photos too.
  
  4AD's QA Department has seemingly taken a turn for the worst in recent years, scoring a new low with SpaceGhostPurpp and Twin Shadow, but Purity Ring show that the label still has a couple of people working there who actually have a functioning pair of ears.
  
  drownedinsewage @avl06 | 23 Jul '12, 23:39 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - really liking this
    
    thanks for double-underlining its awesomeness. Adding it to DiS' July on the stereo bit quoting the pair of you :)
    
    sean @drownedinsewage | 27 Jul '12, 10:13 | X | ^ This | Reply
    - fame at last :)
      
      avl06 @sean | 27 Jul '12, 11:58 | X | ^ This | Reply
      
      sean this'd this
Peppermint Apes - Secrets Out

ThirstyDog | 23 Jul '12, 11:40 | X | ^ This | Reply

Clair_de_Lune this'd this
I don't like that new dEUS album

It's really weak. Keep You Close was a step back to them at their best and Following Sea is four steps back to boring :(

sadpunk | 23 Jul '12, 12:44 | X | ^ This | Reply
- WOT?!?!
  
  I think you need to go back to it. It's pretty special.
  
  sean @sadpunk | 24 Jul '12, 12:06 | X | ^ This | Reply
The Cast of Cheers - Family

oh i know it's only out today, but shush. Solid album. DiS gave it 8/10, i couldn't argue with that

bit_eraly | 23 Jul '12, 13:40 | X | ^ This | Reply
The Cribs - In the Belly of the Brazen Bull

It may be an obvious choice, but it feels like the first all killer no filler long player I've heard in long time. Also, to sound so full of piss and vinegar on your fifth album is not to be sniffed at.

SpecialKGoodrump | 23 Jul '12, 13:51 | X | ^ This | Reply
- The Cribs - In the Belly of the Brazen Bull
  
  *in a long time
  
  SpecialKGoodrump @SpecialKGoodrump | 23 Jul '12, 13:53 | X | ^ This | Reply
- was out in may mate not july
  
  mrdaniels @SpecialKGoodrump | 23 Jul '12, 16:23 | X | ^ This | Reply
ctrl+f "Aesop Rock"

what the hell guys? The whole album is great, but Zero Dark Thirty is easily one of the songs of the year

JaguarPirate | 23 Jul '12, 14:24 | X | ^ This | Reply
- Good track
  
  And I've just realised Aesop Rock and A$AP Rocky are different artists.
  
  Joseph_SP @JaguarPirate | 23 Jul '12, 14:32 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - heh, it does get confusing trying to talk about them with my friend
    
    JaguarPirate @Joseph_SP | 23 Jul '12, 15:05 | X | ^ This | Reply
- One of my albums of the year
  
  Kyle_ @JaguarPirate | 23 Jul '12, 15:14 | X | ^ This | Reply
  
  JaguarPirate this'd this
  - STRONG BUT
    
    It drifts a bit, dunnit? Feels to me like it could be two/three tracks shorter and Pack More PUNCH.
    
    Mike_Diver @Kyle_ | 23 Jul '12, 15:45 | X | ^ This | Reply
    - think I agree with this
      
      thing is, since his music/lyrics are always pretty dense it takes a while for me to pick out the tracks that really work from those that are Aesop-by-numbers. So, despite listening through it like 4 times so far, I still have no idea what I think of the back half of the album, it all blurs into one.
      
      It's great up to and including Ruby '81 though, that's for certain
      
      JaguarPirate @Mike_Diver | 23 Jul '12, 16:05 | X | ^ This | Reply
      - Agreed.
        
        ^ like he said ^
        
        Mike_Diver @JaguarPirate | 23 Jul '12, 16:28 | X | ^ This | Reply
sorry but

"My iphone tracks my every move?" fuck's sake

stalecloud | 23 Jul '12, 16:02 | X | ^ This | Reply
Tuff Sherm & PMM - The Pagan Cinema [Opal Tapes]

DVVLLXNS - LITVNY EP [THX NXW MXNVMXNTS]
Evan Caminiti - Dreamless Sleep [Thrill Jockey]
High Aura'd - Sanguine Features [Bathetic]
Eric Lanham - The Sincere Interruption [eMego]
Fennesz - AUN [Ash International]
Panabrite - The Baroque Atrium [Preservation]
Various - Duets [Tranquility Tapes]

Very good month for experimentalist stuff, bits like the Moritz Von Oswald Trio LP and Helm look excellent but haven't had time to afford/dig into them properly yet. Oh, and the Haxan Cloak thing is supposed to be out any day and I can't wait.

E_H_Gombreak | 23 Jul '12, 16:13 | X | ^ This | Reply
- Tuff Sherm & PMM
  
  is well good, I'm goign to grab the tape so I don't wear out my copy of Ben UFO's Trilogy Tapes mix as soon in my car haha.
  
  jimitheexploder @E_H_Gombreak | 23 Jul '12, 18:05 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - Hah
    
    Saw he had another tape out in april under that moniker, gonna have to find out more about it.
    
    E_H_Gombreak @jimitheexploder | 23 Jul '12, 19:19 | X | ^ This | Reply
- Forgot this too
  
  Cooly G - Playin Me [Hyperdub]
  
  E_H_Gombreak @E_H_Gombreak | 24 Jul '12, 17:11 | X | ^ This | Reply
- gonna try and get hold of some of these
  
  thanks for the suggestions
  
  sean @E_H_Gombreak | 27 Jul '12, 11:50 | X | ^ This | Reply
Bonehouse

Their new EP came out this month. It's not really so much in the "blogsphere" but you'll struggle to find four better rock songs. Think 90s emo but with loads of gruff vocals and plenty of energy. There's a big chanty bit in every song that sticks in your head.
http://bonehouseuk.bandcamp.com/

danger | 23 Jul '12, 23:57 | X | ^ This | Reply
Passion Pit - Gossamer

I don't know if I could call it an album of the month or anything, but it's perfect, immediate hyper-music.

wonton | 24 Jul '12, 00:09 | X | ^ This | Reply

xilia this'd this
Wooderson - Let the Man Speak

Title track from their debut album (8/10 on DiS this week). Yes, I'm biased. No, I can't think of many better albums released this year. It's available on Spotify now.

stevebombedout | 24 Jul '12, 12:23 | X | ^ This | Reply

stevebombedout this'd this
COLD PUMAS / SAUNA YOUTH

Cold Pumas - Fog Cutter
http://soundcloud.com/coldpumas/fog-cutter

Sauna Youth - PSI Girls
http://soundcloud.com/faux-discx/sauna-youth-psi-girls

Both from their debut albums, due this year. Both tracks surfaced on the internet this month.

Pinknoise | 24 Jul '12, 13:00 | X | ^ This | Reply
- liked that Cold Pumas track
  
  but said it was uploaded 3months ago?
  
  sean @Pinknoise | 27 Jul '12, 11:51 | X | ^ This | Reply
Big playlist of some of the best songs to surface from albums released in July

LOTS of musics covered http://open.spotify.com/user/yesiamaduck/playlist/61oQlVD9sGPHkIkEFx3SAV

Enjoy peoples :)

Yesiamaduck | 24 Jul '12, 13:29 | X | ^ This | Reply
- Tracklisting
  
  Port St.Willow - Ama Walk
  Mission Of Burma - Second Television
  Shonen Knife - Psychedelic Life
  House Shoes - Dirt
  KonKoma - Shimmy Nashi Goro
  My Tiger My Timing - The Gold Rush
  Tietchens - Herrlichkeit
  Exrays - Ancient Thing
  Marriages - Ride In My Place
  Beak> - Spinning Top
  REWD ADAMS & THE LAST SKEPTIK - Everything's Okay
  Esperi - Dilated
  Mike Patton & Ictus Ensemble - Part Two
  Easter Island - Frightened
  Moritz Von Oswald Trio - Club
  Paul Banks - Summertime Is Coming
  Delicate Steve - Two Lovers
  Twin Shadow - You Call Me On
  Liannee La Havas - Everything Everything
  Eleni Mandell - The Future
  Baroness - Eula
  Aesop Rock - Tetra
  Meursault - Flittin'
  Lawrence Arabia - Bicycle Riding
  Run Walk - Black Dreams
  The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Solar Circus
  Frank Ocean - Pyramids
  Debo Band - Asha Gedawo
  Arrange - And My Hands Denied Me My Right
  Serj Tankian - Harakiri
  Holograms - Chasing My Mind
  Dirty Projectors - Unto Caesar
  O. Children - PT Cruiser
  Nas - Daughters
  Addison Groove - Ass Jazz
  John Maus - Bennington
  MeWithoutYou - Grist for the Malady Mill
  Soul Asylum - Gravity
  Shout Out Out Out - Never The Same Way Twice
  Natalie Duncan - Sky Is Falling
  Angus Stone - Broken Brights
  Erika Spring - Hidden
  Jeff The Brotherhood - Sixpack
  Micachu & The Shapes - Lowdogg
  Purity Ring - Belispeak
  Passion Pit - I'll Be Alright
  The Cast Of Cheers - Goose
  Hot Panda - Future Markets
  Family Of The Year - Diversity
  Jermiah Jae - Money
  TNGHT - Bugg'n
  
  Yesiamaduck @Yesiamaduck | 24 Jul '12, 13:38 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - awesome
    
    totally gonna whack this on now!
    
    sean @Yesiamaduck | 24 Jul '12, 14:59 | X | ^ This | Reply
thanks for all the suggestions folks

Tried to represent a fair bit of it in here http://drownedinsound.com/news/4145293-on-the-dis-stereo--july-2012-incl-playlists-and-albums-of-the-month

sean | 27 Jul '12, 11:49 | X | ^ This | Reply
Haim have a 3 track EP out called Forever

I've been streaming it on Grooveshark (which is pretty much the only thing i can stream on at work, although I'm still not sure of how legal it is?)

anyway, all 3 tracks are pretty great. for a lazy comparison, it sounds like a slightly updated Fleetwood Mac.

pieces_of_reece | 27 Jul '12, 12:09 | X | ^ This | Reply
- Love this remix
  
  http://soundcloud.com/haimtime/forever-dan-lissvik-remix
  
  cronenberg @pieces_of_reece | 27 Jul '12, 15:19 | X | ^ This | Reply
Coffee- Gnarwolves

SarahIsPi | 28 Jul '12, 08:55 | X | ^ This | Reply