This is an exquisite album that's as fun and dancy to listen to as it is packed with excellent and witty social commentary. You can choose to listen through without a strong intent of paying attention to lyricism and still have a great time with the production and dance/house beats. Simultaneously, you can hone in on what they highlight in several songs (racism/microaggressions, blended identities/cultures, sexual harassment, sexual awakening, feminism, etc) and while for some it may feel over ... read more

After hearing the opening guitar riff on Kakee I was instantly hooked. I honestly don't understand what everyone who's rating this album so low expected. Sofi Tukker has always been about merging together dance and I see no better implementation of that than throughout this album. If you can withstand hearing Kakee or Wet Tennis without at least bobbing your head or dancing then you must have no joy left in your life. Yes, I have some personal gripes with some songs as well (e.g. I think the ... read more

I had no idea what this would sound like going into it. All I knew was that they had a funny name and were a pair of girls from the UK. The album overall jumps from very catchy earworms to songs that are middle of the road, but when I hear Chaise Longue or Wet Dream come on it's impossible for me to not listen through the entire thing and groove or sing along. Some would regard the lyricism as drab or lackadaisical but I love the way it works together with their instrumentation throughout. Give ... read more

For years I only knew Kids, Infinity Guitars, and Rill Rill and I loved each of these songs. However, it wasn't until now that I actually decided to dive into the entirety of this noise pop album. What I found was an awesome blend of guitar, catchy hooks, and blaring distortion that altogether make this record a fun listen. I understand that for some, this is too 'loud' of a choice, but I embrace the sound and it suits a very good purpose to hype me up or drown out the outside world for a ... read more

If this truly is Daft Punk's final album forever, I could live with that. They find a beautiful way to weave together old influences with new and innovative sounds here on Random Access Memories. There are so many memorable songs and infectious melodies, as well as equal amounts of artistic flair and ambition. Daft punk shows us that they know how to craft an album full of nostalgia, artistic expression, and progressive tunes, all in one package.

Favorite track(s): Give Life Back to Music, ... read more

I know that Daft Punk really just wanted to expand their sound and try out some more experimental things, and I commend them for that, but my god, I do not enjoy hearing most of these songs at all. I do enjoy a few quite a bit, maybe just because of nostalgia, but other than those I will not be coming back to listen to this full album any time soon. They still get points for being Daft Punk and trying something new out, but that's it.

Favorite track(s): Robot Rock, Technologic ⭐
Least ... read more

Daft Punk are able to create something special with their sophomore album, Discovery. True to its name, it is *very disco* inspired and I love so so many of the songs on here. There are some songs that don't match the rest of the record in terms of catchiness or might be lackluster, but the hits hit. The biggest critique I have is that the production/mastering sounds very compressed at times where it sounds like either they are being streamed through a bit rate cruncher or somewhat hollow at ... read more

A decent starting bass for this French electric duo. They strike gold with a few gems, but otherwise, this album has a lot of forgettable and/or skippable tracks. I'll give them this though, I think Daft Punk are the only people who could make me happily listen to someone saying 'around the world' nearly 150 times and then even want to listen to it all over again.

Favorite track(s): Revolution 909, Da Funk, Around the World ⭐, Alive
Least favorite track(s): Rollin' & Scratchin', ... read more

The Italo-disco sound that Phoenix pivots to in Ti Amo is something I love to hear, as well as the nicer production in comparison to their previous album. However, as much as I love some of these tracks, the second half really seems to fall asleep on me and I can't enjoy it nearly as much as I do the first half. When I play the vinyl, I sometimes just play side A and don't even bother to go to side B. It's not horrible or anything, I just know I won't get nearly as much enjoyment from that ... read more

This album is consistent and I love some songs on here, but the only reason I wouldn't rate this higher is that the compression and production on these songs are so blown out and I can't listen to too much of it without my ears desiring something else. I quite enjoy the incorporation of more synths and electronic sounds in general, but the production is lacking here otherwise. I can make it through the whole thing once and once alone before I want to take a break. However, I will listen to ... read more

This. Is. Fun. I love this album so much. Phoenix finds a great sound in the overlap between indie/alt-rock and pop. This is one of the most consistent indie-pop albums I know of. Every time I throw it on, I am constantly grooving and happier just because of how infectious their sound is on here. If by the end of the listen you don't have any of the melodies stuck in your head, you oughta get that checked out with a doctor.

Favorite track(s): Liztomania ⭐, 1901, Fences, Lasso, ... read more

Between United and Alphabetical, you can hear how the band goes from more rock-focused to more indie-pop-focused, and they make a substantial improvement in my mind. While there are some songs that fall flat, others pick up on the kind of fun, pop-type sound that they move more towards in their later records, while still maintaining the original allure they have shown to have.

Favorite track(s): Everything Is Everything ⭐, Run Run Run, Victim of Crime, (You Can't Blame It On) Anybody, ... read more

This album doesn't stand out to me much apart from maybe a few tracks, but man if it doesn't have one of my favorite indie/alt rock songs of all time will If I Ever Feel Better. I could and have listened to that song on loop for hours at a time. The creativity and groove they can produce, as well as cathartic lyrics, I can't praise that song enough. Overall, however, the album is pulled up because of it and a few others, I don't come back to this except for those few.

Favorite track(s): Too ... read more

Once again, Interpol shows that their career is really a tale of two eras. Their first three albums seem to have more life and intrigue than their latest three albums. I understand that there are different directions in sound for them to try out, but one of those directions have seemed to produce anything on the same level as Turn On The Bright Lights, Antics, nor Our Love to Admire. I wouldn't categorize any of the newer work as unlistenable, but I don't come back to it very much and don't ... read more

El Pintor marks a moderate improvement from their self-titled, but still holds some of the same aspects that I didn't enjoy as much. I at least find myself now gravitating to a handful of songs that I legitimately enjoy very much in their discography, but as for the rest, it seems to lack the spark they once had in their first few albums.

Favorite track(s): All the Rage Back Home, Everything Is Wrong ⭐, Tidal Wave
Least favorite track(s): Same Town, New Story; Ancient Ways, Twice As Hard

Interpol's self-titled album constitutes a serious drop-off in their discography in my eyes. It's still listenable, but I hardly find myself coming back to this album at all when casually listening. I'd much rather hear any of their previous three projects before coming back here. It's too drony and the production sounds the most unclear, and not ina way that might benefit that of a post-punk revival album.

Favorite track(s): Lights, Barricade ⭐, Safe Without, Try It On
Least favorite ... read more

Of their three albums to this point, Our Love to Admire is definitely the softest and maybe the most artistic. It has been a slight change that I have immediately loved since I found it. Rest My Chemistry is in all likelihood my favorite song of theirs, and Pioneer To the Falls/The Lighthouse are probably my favorite openers/closers that they have. I will always listen to this album in its entirety for at least those 3 and am never disappointed.

Favorite track(s): Pioneer To the Falls, No I In ... read more

A worthy follow-up to Turn On The Bright Lights. They still maintain a very nice sound and range therein and are able to establish themselves as a real mainstay in the indie rock and post-punk revival scene.

Favorite track(s): Evil ⭐, Slow Hands, C'mere, A Time to Be So Small
Least favorite track(s): Length of Love

Interpol was a band that quickly grew on me as I began to get into indie rock for the first time while I was in high school. Since then, they have maintained their status as my currently 10th most listened to artist/band (~2.5k scrobbled) and this debut album is a special one to me. Whether it's listening to this in the background while I'm doing work or relaxing or intently listening, I'm always satisfied with this record.

Favorite track(s): Obstacle 1 ⭐, PDA, Say Hello to the Angels, ... read more

Since high school, I've listened to Interpol somewhat religiously and had heard from time to time about the impact that Joy Division had on their sound and aesthetic but I never sat down to ever look into them or listen to an album until recently. I now understand EXACTLY what all those comments were saying. The guitar donations, the vocalizations from Ian Curtis, and the group's aesthetic can all be seen in Interpol years and years later. I can understand that the post-punk sound might not be ... read more