A year of new music!

So far this has been a year of some great new albums from both favorite artists of mine and some unexpected surprises. Although I'm excited to see new music from Depeche Mode : Spirit, Feist : Pleasure, Sylva Esso : What Now, and The Wild Reeds : The World We Built, the biggest impression that came my way was from Goldfrapp. Not only did I enjoy their new album Silver Eye, but after digging a little deeper into this band that I've been mostly unfamiliar with, I found an album called Felt Mountain, and I haven't stopped listening to this amazing album that has touched and moved me tremendously these past few weeks. It has been my painting music and dream music as of late. It's hard to explain why it has had such an impact on me personally, but this debut album from Sarah Goldgrapp and Will Gregory is just astounding, melodic, nostalgic, dreamy, and emotional. 

Just prior to 2017, another personal favorite band of mine, Phantogram, came out with Three, which did not disappoint either, who kept true to their previous electronic-driven work yet with a stronger, guitar-driven presence in their songs this time around. Depeche Mode, probably my all time favorite band, made a great impression on me with their new album as well. I can hear many influences of their album from past music but still infuse new elements into their songs. Their new album Spirit almost sounds like a mix of sounds from Delta Machine and Playing the Angel. Martin Gore really hit the mark this time with his shorter ballads in between. Although some may disagree, to me, they were the Depeche Mode I've listened to over the years, and this was another great album!

The new album from The Wild Reeds, I must admit, was a little too rock & roll for me. I still hear the early melodic and harmonic influences I'm used to hearing from their early work, but I think this album will take some time to grow on me. I think it's great that they're still going forward and producing albums to this day, quite a difference from the 'street ally' and backyard shows they used to put on, of which I had the pleasure of seeing in their early beginnings. But if you like folky, melodic light rock infused with beautiful, melodic voices, you will certainly love them.

As for Sylvan Esso and Feist, I'm hoping for great new music, especially Feist, who had an excellent last album Metals. So far with the release of the songs Pleasure and Century, they are coming on strong with influences from Metals and more raw, guitar-driven music, which I believe was Leslie Feist's intention from the get-go. I admit I'm hoping for the same sound I enjoyed from Metals, but with an understanding that as artists, usually change is inevitable and comes in many forms in an artist's life, whatever form that may take, I'll be ready with open ears to hear what they deliver. 

This is my short review. These are the bands I love. Hope in some small way it makes a difference. :)