- PREMIERE: Eloah Jones – “Under the Bridge” - November 18, 2021
- PREMIERE: Highbeams – “Campfires” - November 10, 2021
- Tali Azerad Shines on New Album - November 5, 2021
I always love compiling this list. It forces me to listen to albums that either get me dancing, get me rocking out, or simply make me happy. The fact that this is my “fun” list in no way means these albums don’t have depth or substance – I am simply calling out these 10 for being incredibly fun to listen to.
- Years & Years – Communion
So dancy, so poppy, so much fun. “King” launched this album* and everything that followed was incredibly satisfying.
*And rightly so. If you hear that song and don’t start dancing immediately, you might technically be in a coma
- Fetty Wap – S/T
Fetty Wap and I probably don’t have much in common. Half the time I have no idea what he’s talking about. I do know one thing though, his highly-anticipated self-titled album is a damn good time.
- Mumford & Sons – Wilder Mind
Yeah, no seriously. Their infusion of some good up-tempo rock jams really made this album a fun listen. I had grown completely stale of their banjo-focused hits, as they were completely overplayed and offered little variety from each other. Wilder Mind is a refreshing new spin for The Mumfizzies* and one that feels them letting loose a bit.
*That’s what the kids are calling them. No? No one’s calling them The Mumfizzies?
- Parade Of Lights – Feeling Electric
Synth-pop fans rejoice! Parade Of Lights is here, and as the name Feeling Electric (and Parade Of Lights for that matter) might suggest, this is gonna be a fun ride. Danceable tunes track after track with big hooks and soaring 80’s style synth creations – Feeling Electric is a brief but fun introduction to what these guys can bring to the table. “Golden” and “The Island” are instant jams.
- I, The Mighty – Connector
Sometimes I need a break from my synth-pop and singer/songwriter diet. I, The Mighty knows how to properly come in with their guitars and kick me in the teeth [EDITOR’S NOTE: Mr. Craney only enjoys being “kicked in the teeth” in a musical sense. Please do not actually kick him].
Connector is a great running or workout album and is reminiscent of the energy brought by early Anberlin albums. Although I generally despise any sort of screaming in my music, the few screamed parts here seem well-placed and appropriate. Side note to new bands: don’t start screaming just for the sake of screaming…you sound ridiculous. If you do it sparingly and at the right time – it can be badass. Public Service Announcement over. In conclusion, go check out Connector.
- Passion Pit – Kindred
I read a very on-point review of this album that labeled it “Passion Pit Concentrate.” This is definitely accurate. If you’re looking for experimentation and poetic exploration, you’ve come to the wrong place. Kindred is a quick 10 song punch of the synth-pop that Michael Angelakos does so well. The album has its ebbs & flows, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows – but at the end of the day, put this on if you want to enjoy what’s bounding out of your speakers.
- Circa Waves – Young Chasers
“T-Shirt Weather” jumps out of the speakers and grabs your attention. The album as a whole reminds me of early Strokes mixed with one of my favorite albums ever: Inside In/Inside Out by The Kooks. These guys bring the youthful energy and the result is almost as gnarly as that ‘cloud kid’ on the cover, brah.*
*I’m old and have lost track of the lingo. Apologies.
- CHVRCHES – Every Open Eye
I was worried about this album after their massive, career-launching debut. As it turns out, I had no reason to be. Lauren Mayberry & Co came out firing with a worthy extension of what they offered in round one. The album is consistent, shines in the middle, and never forgets that fun, fist-pumping quality that makes CHVRCHES a damn good time to listen to.
- Madeon – Adventure
Something that fascinates me about electronic music is the blank canvas and endless horizon it creates. One can literally invent sonic atmospheres never experienced before. One can also simply create bouncy, poppy jams. Madeon doesn’t venture too far out into the experimental range, but what he does do quite well is craft intensely fun dance cuts. He has enlisted the likes of Passion Pit, Bastille, Foster The People, and others to accompany him on this journey…dare I say, adventure?*
An impressive quality to Madeon is he doesn’t use his guest stars as a crutch, proving he can pump out hits like “OK” and the intense “Imperium” without the need for a guest vocalist. It doesn’t get much more fun than Madeon’s creations.
*No, don’t do that. That’s dumb
- The Front Bottoms – Back On Top
What can I say about this album? It’s the only album on this list that made my end of year Top 20 List (coming out next week…stay tuned kids!). I’m an indie-rock guy, and this is indie-rock at its best. TFB’s wit and pep never gets lost within their experimentation on the new album, with countless clever and crafty barbs thrown in – not to mention the fact that one of the most unforgettable songs of the batch, “Cough It Out,” clocks in at exactly 4:20 in length…nice touch gents. All these nuances and working parts combine to form a cohesive album devoid of letdowns. That is perhaps the biggest compliment I can give to an album: I put it on and can’t skip a track. Glued together by Brian Sella’s endearing vocals, Back On Top is the next step in the journey of a band with a lot to say, and a pretty damn fun way of saying it.
