We’ll start with the blatantly-obvious-no-shit-you’re-not-telling-me-anything-new albums and then we’ll move onto a few that you might have overlooked this summer.

Bon Iver, Bon Iver 

Bon Iver’s self-titled LP is an emotional gut punch that hurts so good. Apparently, our beloved Justin Vernon created this alone in the woods while suffering from mono. This record now has artists all over the world willfully making out with randoms and putting deposits down on log cabins all over middle America. Your sample, “Holocene”, is delicately forceful. His vocals gradually push through a very simple, circular melody and the modest lyrics add to the soft/powerful contradiction that can basically describe all Bon Iver’s classics.

Bon Iver – Holocene

Washed Out, Within And Without

I recommend becoming acquainted with Within And Without in its entirety. That being said, I’m offering you “You And I” with the hopes that you’ll go for the whole shabang after this 5:13 fragment. I’m not saying that every track is outstanding, it’s simply one of those albums that is better appreciated in a lump sum. There’s no magnum opus on this one like there was on their debut EP, which was of course “Feel It All Around”. (Disagree with me on that. I dare you.) “You And I” is just one  pulsating section of this pastiche. Again, consider this a teaser, in more ways than one.

Washed Out – You And I

The Antlers, Burst Apart

The Antlers are another dream pop indie favorite and unlike Washed Out, Burst Apart does indeed have a masterpiece, which I’ve supplied below. If you’re a stranger to The Antlers, I will make it clear that, yes, that’s a dude singing and the name of that dude nailing those falsettos is Peter Silberman. “Parentheses”is really the only portion of this album where you hear a more systematic and unyielding rhythm accompanied by a dark, raunchy melody. Most of the other tracks are a bit gentler with dreamy accents, so this song appears to be the rougher-around-the-edges bombshell.

The Antlers – Parentheses

Clams Casino, Rainforest EP

I’ve mentioned Clams Casino before in a previous post and while we’ve all enjoyed random blog-dropped singles from his mixtape, Rainforest was finally released in May granting us some hot and humid instrumental fun. The entire EP sounds like a soundtrack to a fucked up adventure through an actual rainforest. The timing of the bassline is perfect in “Gorilla” and it’s surrounded by echoes of unfriendly cries, both deep and oddly strident at the same time. So, another track is added to our “don’t drop acid to this” list. Kidding. Not really. Enjoy.

Clams Casino – Gorilla

Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Who? Exactly. I really have no idea where these guys came from and they’re not exactly media darlings so I’ll be pretty impressed if you’ve heard of them. The Radio Dept. with a side of funk is the best description I can come up with at the moment. The super lo-fi texture makes it difficult to hear the lyrics, but that’s besides the point. They want you to pay attention to the beats first. Because we’re all new to UMO, I’m giving you two samples to better explain their take on hipster-funk.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Ffunny Ffriends

Unknown Mortal Orchestra – How Can U Luv Me

SBTRKT, SBTRKT

I actually wrote an entire review for SBTRKT on No Ripcord, so for the extended version, go to their website. I want to draw your attention to “Wildfire” which features Little Dragon, who was highly praised at Amsterdam’s Pitch festival this year.  If you have time, check out the video on Pitchfork. Little Dragon also has a new album that will be released on July 26th, Ritual Union, which is being featured on NPR at the moment.

SBTRKT – Wildfire [feat. Little Dragon]