"Hypnotic Nights" by JEFF The Brotherhood
Occasionally, you find someone you know you're going to love. Something clicks and there's an immediate connection. It's love, and that's it.
That's what happened with this record. I knew in the first 10 seconds that it would be on repeat for a while. And I was right.
With loud, driving guitars and lyrics made for summer, "Hypnotic Nights" has worked its way into my brain. It's definitely the sunniest record on this list and is worth at least a few listens.
"Mixtape Volume Six" by The Hood Internet
I ran a lot this summer. I set out in May to run a 5k by August, and I'm glad to say that I achieved that goal. Many of those training runs were accompanied by one of two records: LCD Soundsystem's 2007 release "45:33" and "Mixtape Volume Six."
Full of mashups of everything from Wiz Khalifa to "The Lion King," this record is a perfect party soundtrack. It's dance-y, the kind that hipsters, bros and everyone in between will enjoy.
I've listened to every track over and over, but my favorite is the opening track featuring Phantogram and Wiz Khalifa. I'm not even a Khalifa fan, but the beat is just infectious. And it flows well, too. Even when I skip the Chris Brown track.
"channel ORANGE" by Frank Ocean
Now, I'm not a huge R&B fan, so I don't listen to it that much. For that reason, I might have missed quite a few great records in recent years. But the hype surrounding this album and my preference for the group it comes from led me to give it a listen.
I'll admit that I'm biased toward the hip-hop collective OFWGKTA. Most of Odd Future's music is brash, offensive and ugly. Really, they're just a bunch of young idiots whose goal is to piss people off. They thrive on chaos and offend a lot of people. They're definitely an acquired taste.
Frank Ocean's "channel ORANGE" is a complete departure from the rest of their catalogue. It's tender, emotional and all around, pretty darn good.
A handful of songs could easily be left off the album ("Crack Rock" and some of the transition tracks) but in the end, it's one of the best R&B albums I've heard in years.
"Transitions" by Elephant and Castle
Before this year, I've never really been a fan of "soundscape" records. I had listened to Explosions in the Sky in high school, but for the most part, I'm a lyrics guy.
I was introduced to Neat Beats earlier in the year, and I really enjoyed it. The use of samples and a greater vision of the music was refreshing and really showed that emotion could be brought out without singing one word. But that album was released in 2011, so it was ineligible for this list.
But over the summer, Travis Harvey from Village Green Records persuaded me to buy Elephant and Castle's "Transitions." And as usual, he came through with a great suggestion.
Ethereal and beautiful; this record is pure emotion. I hear something new every time I listen to it.
If you're able to sit down and breathe for about 38 minutes, I highly suggest listening to this record.
"Arrow" by Heartless Bastards
When I went to Missouri this summer, I wasn't expecting to see any good concerts. But for whatever reason, I checked to see who was playing in the area. It just so happened that on my day off that week, Heartless Bastards was playing at a little, hole-in-the-wall bar.
For $15 and a far walk from the dorm, I got to see one of my favorite new bands up close. Close enough that they asked me to drink a beer with them. And talked about me while on stage. It was the concert of a lifetime.
They're playing in Indianapolis in September, too. So maybe it will be a twice-in-a-lifetime experience.
In a lot of ways, my summer was defined by this album. It's perfect for the hot weather. It has that feeling of America on 4th of July. It's loud, but has just the right amount of restraint. And it doesn't hurt that the band is full of some pretty cool people.
ON THE RADAR: Albums to anticipate
"Love This Giant" by David Byrne and St. Vincent
Release date: Sept. 10
There is no doubt in my mind that this album will be incredible.
The first single, "Who," showed that Byrne and St. Vincent's Annie Clark can truly collaborate to make something wonderful. With equal parts Talking Heads and St. Vincent, the single definitely impressed me.
Most of my friends know that I have quite a celebrity crush on Clark, and I was happy to be the first person at her May concert at Old National Centre to get a high-five. But with a funky jaw on the cover of "Love this Giant," I can assure you that there is no bias in my excitement.
"The Carpenter" by The Avett Brothers
Release date: Sept. 11
One of few folk or bluegrass groups to bring the genre into the mainstream and not sell out, The Avett Brothers have yet to disappoint.
Based on the first single from "The Carpenter" entitled "Live and Die," I'm willing to bet that this album will follow suit. The single sounds more like a pop song than any of the previous releases, but I invite other artists to put mandolin in a pop song.
Beyond the inclusion of one of the best instruments ever to grace speakers, the vocals are solid and the whole song flows pretty well. I wouldn't say this is the album I am most looking forward to hearing, but it still warrants a mention.
"Coexist" by The xx
Release date: Sept. 11
Another great album from 2009, "xx" was subtle, catchy and sexy. "Coexist," I assume, will be much of the same.
My only concern is that it will be too much of the same. I loved the debut album, but nothing makes me more nervous than a sophomore release, especially from a band as stripped down and bare as The xx.
But maybe it'll exceed my expectations. I really hope it does.
"Shields" by Grizzly Bear
Release date: Sept. 18
It has been three years since Grizzly Bear has put out an album. The band was part of the "Blue Valentine" soundtrack, but most of those songs were just reworkings of its previous album, "Veckatimest."
"Veckatimest" is one of few albums from my 2009 top 10 list that I still listen to for reasons other than nostalgia. It's a masterpiece. I'm not sure I've met another person who has listened to the album and not thoroughly enjoyed it.
So it stands to reason that "Shields" should size up similarly. It's a rare instance when a follow-up album is quite as good, but for whatever reason, I have faith in these guys.
"Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color" by Brother Ali
Release date: Sept. 18
Say what you will about the "Occupy" movement, I'm not even a fan, but those who are still sticking with it have some serious guts and perseverance.
One such person is Brother Ali. He has been a part of Minnesota's "Occupy Homes" group, which works at preventing people from being evicted. While I'm not sure how effective that strategy will be, I must applaud those who have kept at the cause.
Brother Ali is a true social activist in his life and his music, and I look forward to hearing his ideas on "Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color," even if I don't agree with them.
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