Five album releases in February 2013 that you should know about!
reviews by / LOGAN BRENDT
PEACE / DELICIOUS EP
Deadly/Sony Records
release date: February 5, 2013
Already well received in the UK, Birmingham rock band Peace has now released their first EP, Delicious, in the US. All four tracks are strong, interweaving interesting melodies and heavily reverbed guitars with similarities that point to 90s Britpop bands like The Stone Roses and Happy Mondays. If their debut album that’s scheduled to be released in March contains more songs like the EP’s “Bloodshake” and “Ocean’s Eye”, it’s possible that Peace could be one of the biggest acts to come out of 2013. For anyone that’s lucky enough, check them out at SXSW this year.
THE DEER TRACKS / THE ARCHER TRILOGY PT. 3
The Control Group
release date: February 12, 2013
Swedish duo The Deer Tracks create a beautiful soundscape on their second full-length album titled The Archer Trilogy Pt. 3. Standouts on the album include the ethereal dance track “Divine Light” which is closely followed by “Astral Ship”, a twinkling reverie, and “Explodion” feels light but powerfully emotional all at the same time. The silvery voice of singer Elin Lindfors glows over the sparkle of synths that elegantly evoke cinematic imagery of the listener’s mind.
VERONICA FALLS / WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN
Slumberland/ Bella Union
release date: February 12, 2013
Once thought to produce more melodramatic pop songs, Veronica Falls is slightly lighter in tone but skillfully stronger on their sophomore album, Waiting For Something To Happen. While the London-based band still creates catchy pop songs comprised of jangly guitars, reverb, and mellow harmonies, it seems that the band wanted to avoid the pessimistic connotations of their last album, even though the undercurrent of their latest single “Buried Alive” is still a bit morbid.
MY GOLD MASK / LEAVE ME MIDNIGHT
Highwheel Records
release date: February 19, 2013
Chicago-based My Gold Mask is mysteriously alluring on their new album titled Leave Me Midnight. Singer Gretta Rochelle who was also the drummer for many of the pounding tracks on the album, has a voice that varies between sultry, moody and sweet. Highlights are the irresistible “Some Secrets” and the dramatic “In Our Babylon” that employs a creative use of distortion. It truly gets interesting when Rochelle’s vocals are sometimes met by those of bandmate and husband Jack Armondo, creating undeniable chemistry, particularly on “Without”.
GOLD FIELDS / BLACK SUN
Astralwerks
release date: February 26, 2013
If you’re a fan of Friendly Fires then the debut album by Australian band Gold Fields will complete your February. Fun and electric, this synth dance-rock pounds with engaging beats and memorable hooks. Frontman Mark Robert Fuller completes every exceptional track with the smoothness of his voice and pleasing falsetto that particularly shines on “Dark Again” and “Thunder”. Vivid rhythms additionally stand out on tracks like “The Woods” and “Moves”, which momentarily recalls the drum beat of Duran Duran’s “Girls On Film”. Do you need any more convincing? Make sure to watch them perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on February 27th.