EERA – I’ll Stop When I’m Done
A reserved, well-crafted, self-assured record, I’ll Stop When I’m Done can come off equal parts parts flighty, poppy, and sentimental. There’s a fairytale aesthetic to this album – from the beginning with the track “Celebrate”, strings and horns drop by to accent EERA’s singing. Normally this wound sound bombastic, but the way it’s produced, the effect is instead very ethereal, swirling, meditative. The record shines with the vocal effects – whether it’s quiet choruses behind the lead vocals, the doubling of EERA’s tracks, or a slight room reverb to her performance, the vocal performance is always the center of the song. The Mammoth would recommend it for a listener wanting to nurse a cup of tea and escape for a half hour.
Highlight Tracks: For Me, Forget Her, To the Bone
Worthy of Investigation?
Even by Indie Pop standards, I’ll Stop When I’m Done is a bit too laid back for The Mammoth to really be interested in the rest of EERA’s work
monty.pk – Deadbeat
The Mammoth was initially confused by this artist branding himself as “hyperfolk”. He gets it now. Deadbeat uses folk instruments as accompaniment to strong pop beats, powerful choruses, all in service of a great breakup album. Whether it’s the awareness of the end pre-breakup in “Car’s in a Lake”, the last-minute second guessing in “Glue Trap”, or the post-breakup resentment in “wishyouweredead”, monty.pk stuffs a whole relationship’s worth of angst, relief, and concern into this record. Slide guitar echoes throughout this record as a herald to the end. Banjo and guitar lurks in the background with a whimsy insanity to them as the vocals stress over his situation. A refreshing introduction to a new genre.
Highlight Tracks: Car’s in a Lake, Glue Trap, Counting (1234)
Worthy of Investigation?
There’s not much to look at – monty.pk has only released one other record. But, based on the highs deadbeat soared to, absolutely.
Coach Party – Caramel
What a lovely punch in the mouth! Caramel is aggressive, confident, and soulful, all wrapped up into a huge vortex of energy. The Mammoth loves the bass tone and performance, anchored by absolutely enormous drums. Synths and guitar take a back seat on this record, peppering the songs with extra heat or cooling them off accordingly. Even when this record veers into indie ballad territory too much for the Mammoth’s liking, this record is a solid bop and highly recommended.
Highlight Tracks: Control, Disco Dream, I Really Like You
Worthy of Investigation?
100% There’s only one studio album to look up before Caramel, but the Mammoth enjoyed this record enough to check out their EPs as well
Sol Chyld – ReBirth.Theory
Conscious hip hop is alive and well! Sol Chyld has a quiet, almost whispering, flow that remains insistent and authoritative. She has that kind of stream-of-consciousness lyricism that belies a skill at storytelling beyond her years, The Mammoth is surprised this is only her second record. As opposed to the chipmunk samples that dominated on albums like Common’s Be, ReBirth.Theory is backed by a tight, professional band, excellently supporting their vocalist. Some of the drum beats on this record are so technically impressive The Mammoth first thought they were cut up samples, not captured performances. This record is a statement, a throwback without feeling dated. It’s something that hip hop has been missing, in this listener’s opinion.
Highlight Tracks: Fake the Funk, If I Gave, South Jerusalem
Worthy of Investigation?
Something Came To Me and Eyes Toward The Sun are already saved to The Mammoth’s library for future research. Consider that an enthusiastic YES
Automatic – Is It Now?
The Mammoth considers this to be New Wave, fairly distilled. The jangly guitar parts are missing, but Automatic’s trio of synth, drums, and bass grooving along under sleepy vocals otherwise fits the aesthetic quite well. The groove has enough variety between tracks to guide the album well, but The Mammoth was disappointed in the lack of evolution within songs. This is not a record with big choruses or profound instrumental breaks. It’s a collection of musical thoughts, each staying around for long enough to make their point, then moving on. That said, for a listener who desires a good bass-heavy bop to jam to, this is the record they are looking for.
Highlight Tracks: Country Song, mq9, Terminal
Worthy of Investigation?
The Mammoth will give it a cursory glance, but didn’t find this album memorable enough to think Automatic’s discography would make it as a permanent addition to his library.