A Few Quick Album Reviews

Major Lazer & La Roux Present: LazerProof – Major Lazer & La Roux

For everyone who thought that Diplo and Switch were just lazing and blazing around Jamaica, you were probably right. But, it seems they were up to a little something else too. Major Lazer has teamed up with English electropop duo La Roux to present their newest mixtape, Major Lazer & La Roux Present: LazerProof. La Roux front-woman Elly Jackson’s full and angelic voice has prompted nearly every DJ and his grandmother to remix her music, and now it’s Major Lazer’s turn. The dancehall kings’ Caribbean influence pervades the entire mixtape, as Major Lazer weaves through slow tracks emphasizing Jackson’s sweet voice, to dirty dirty dubstep featring Rusko, back to straight dancehall, and then (of course) over to a few tracks fit only for a bit of daggering. Featuring talents ranging from Amanda Blank to Gucci Mane to Opal, LazerProof is a solid addition to both groups’ discographies, and a mixtape sure to get you grooving no matter your mood. If you dig these tracks, the entire tape is available for free download on the Mad Decent website here.

Bulletproof (Nacey Remix ft. Matt Hemerlein) - Major Lazer & La Roux

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I’m Not Your Lemonade + Heroes n Villans Remix – Major Lazer & La Roux ft. Gucci Mane

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Tigerlily (DYWHAP Blend) – Major Lazer & La Roux ft. Rusko

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Brothers – The Black Keys

All I have to say is that The Black Keys win. They just do. Released earlier this month, the Ohio duo’s latest album Brothers has not stopped playing in my house for about two weeks now, and that’s just the way I like it. This sixth studio album from The Black Keys brings us back to their signature bluesy-rock from the days before the rather psychedelic Attack & Release (though the duo has not completely abandoned their trippy ways, with remnants of A&R clear in tracks like Too Afraid to Love You). The simple, elegant and well crafted lyrics drive the lengthy album, and are backed by front man Dan Auerbach’s stacked guitar riffs, a few organs, harpsichords, and electric pianos thrown in the mix, and of course Pat Carney’s solid drumming. Brothers’ perfect synthesis of blues and rock, with touches of psychedelics, is why The Black Keys win. They just do.

Sinister Kid – The Black Keys

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Howlin’ For You – The Black Keys

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Grey Oceans – CocoRosie

Now it’s a female duo’s turn: CocoRosie has returned with their fourth studio album, Grey Oceans, three years after The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn ran through the indie and alternative world and garnered the group a cult following. Formed by and comprised of aloof sisters Bianca and Sierra Casady, CocoRosie’s rather indescribable style incorporates influences from folk, pop, blues, opera, and essentially anything else that tickles their fancy. The style of Grey Oceans, though, is noticeably less eclectic than their previous works, with pretty consistently coherent lyrics and easily discernable melodies on most the of the album; their style of laying (sometimes manipulated) vocals over a mixture of dark, innocent, and dreamy melodies supercedes their drive for oddity on this album. The departure from their almost oppressively alternative style makes Grey Oceans much more accessible than previous albums. But for those who enjoyed CocoRosie’s difference, Grey Oceans probably won’t rank as highly as any of their previous albums.

Lemonade – CocoRosie

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The Moon Asked the Crown – CocoRosie

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Dirty South Dance 2 – A-Trak

After three years of waiting, it’s finally here. About a week ago, A-Trak released the heavily anticipated follow-up to his deadly mixtape Dirty South Dance, entitled (you guessed it) Dirty South Dance 2. Once again, A-Trak has taken some of the grittiest southern hip-hop and produced a club-worthy set of near-banger beats sure to get your boots a-knockin’, hats a-flyin’, and bums a-shakin’. Mixing everyone from Weezy to Project Pat to Luda to OJ Da Juice Man, A-Trak managed once again to properly rep that southern flavor to the electro world. A-Trak remains one of our favorite DJs over here at TNM due to his range of continually innovative and evolving styles, and his ability to produce flawless and heavily rompin’ electro and rap mixes. When we say that A-Trak never fails to disappoint, we almost mean it completely and totally. Almost just ‘cause he hasn’t been to Montreal in some time, and we are more than ready to show off our clown walks, crank our spongebob, and all that other fun stuff. The mixtape is availible for free on A-Trak’s website here.

We Don’t Want No Goblins – A-Trak

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How Low Can U Bake – A-Trak

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Stay classy Montreal. Peace.

Posted by Maurizio