“Hold On” is a peculiar choice for a leadoff track. Observatory is also a peculiar debut – its artist, Aeon Station, was unknown until Sub Pop announced Observatory last fall, and no one was more surprised to learn about the album than Charles Bissell, one of its credited engineers. The album’s entire rollout has been notably…
All posts by Rich Bradley
Alternative & Indie Rock Like Taylor Swift’s Folklore: A Spotify Playlist
Taylor Swift’s new album folklore is a surprise – not just because she kept it secret until a few hours before its release, but because it’s largely a collaboration with The National’s (and antifa’s) Aaron Dessner. As it turns out, Swift’s lyrical prowess and seemingly limitless gift for pop hooks match perfectly with Dessner’s organic,…
“Hymn (Remix)” – Car Seat Headrest
If you’re also a Car Seat Headrest fan, maybe you and I had a similar experience: one particular moment during your first listen to their new album, Making a Door Less Open, ruined your Friday. To be clear up front, I adore this album now. It’s only been out for six days as I’m writing…
A Note on What This Is
As 2019 drew to a close, I decided to write about a favorite song from the preceding decade every day in December. I’ve always enjoyed writing about music, though I hadn’t done it too much in recent years. This was a way to force myself back into the habit for a bit, and see if…
“Take Care” – Beach House
Happy New Year! The year works great as a metric for measuring incremental personal change. The century helps us conceive of human history as it extends beyond ourselves. But the decade strikes a perfect balance, helping us define and analyze coherent mini-eras within our lives. It’s convenient that they’re set in cycles of ten, because…