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Cage the Elephant

The Top 30 Records of 2015

Music ListTransverso MediaComment
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3. Beach House - Thank Your Lucky Stars

Thank Your Lucky Stars acts as both an extension of and pivot point for Beach House’s career as a whole. Many may want the band to actively change in a progressive way, but the band chooses to continually broaden their sound in the most familiar and microscopic ways possible instead. Perhaps one of the best integration of all five preceding albums, you hear the metronome, drums are crisper, individual instruments are audible, and Victoria Legrand’s lyrics are unexpectedly discernible at certain points. It's what works for them, and its afforded Beach House the ability to carve out a dream-pop legacy (and avoid becoming a caricature) on their own terms.

 

2. Majical Cloudz - Are You Alone?

Are You Alone? takes off where the Montreal duo’s preceding Impersonator left off; a paradox of bare-bones, minimalist soundscapes ebbing with lush depth that are somehow simultaneously tranquilizing and uplifting. Welsh’s immaculately vulnerable monologues and unflinching vocals are gently bold, and they drive their synth lullabies forward with severe care. It's Welsh at his most overbearing, and yet his tight grip is irresistible. Calculatedly organic, passionately controlled, it’s a journal reading in a dream.

 

 

1. Tame Impala - Currents

Currents is the most adventurous, interesting, and well-produced collection of songs Kevin Parker has created thus far, sitting atop Tame Impala's discography as the most mature and painstakingly crafted iteration in their twisted psych-pop world. From the lush synth tracks that bubble through the mix to his effortless, washed out vocals, every sound is rendered with the utmost care. Currents proves Parker is unable to stick with a certain sound, forever looking for new ways to evolve his ideas and push his project beyond what was expected when Innerspeaker first hit the shelves.

 

No Signs Of "Trouble" With Cage the Elephant's Second 'Tell Me I'm Pretty' Single

New MusicWeston PaganoComment

We've already heard "Mess Around," the first single from Cage the Elephant's forthcoming fourth LP Tell Me I'm Pretty, and now the Grammy-nominated rockers have graced us with the second.

"Trouble" is a deceptively wistful tale of woe spun over breezy woos just begging to be sung along to, complete with a lyrical nod to their magnum opus with "You know what they say / Yeah the wicked get no rest."

An immediately catchy tune, there seem to be no signs of trouble for the listeners, at least. All signs point to Tell Me I'm Pretty being Cage's most polished effort yet, but you can't deny they're wearing it well.

Tell Me I'm Pretty is out 12/18 via RCA

Cage the Elephant Don't "Mess Around" on First 'Tell Me I'm Pretty' Single

Music News, New MusicWeston PaganoComment

Everyone's favorite crowd-surfing Kentuckians have returned with "Mess Around," the first single from forthcoming record and Melophobia follow-up, Tell Me I'm Pretty, which is due out December 18 via RCA.

Launching off with a fuzzy riff paired with an instantly infectious hook, "Mess Around" perfectly wraps up the band's dirtier feel in a tight 3 minute package, and is sure to masterfully continue their appeal on both sides of the alternative / mainstream border.

Produced by The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach, the track sounds heavily influenced by the blues rocker, particularly in the chorus, with Auerbach even contributing the guitar solo. According to an interview with Consequence of Sound, "Mess Around" was also inspired by OutKast's melodic deliveries.

The music video is a curious collage of French illusionist Georges Méliès's films, and you can watch it below.

Preorder Tell Me I'm Pretty and other exclusive merch in their PledgeMusic campaign here.