I realize I’ve let this blog go quiet the last few weeks and I’m so sorry about that! I know there’s not a lot of readers here, but I do enjoy waxing poetic about music more than, well, pretty much anything. So here’s where I’m at musically the last few weeks:
One of my most anticipated albums of 2019 was the latest from Brooklyn-based DIIV, their third and most dramatic record, Deceiver came out in early October and I’ve been spending a lot of time with it. It’s dark and brilliant and tough, I’ve described elsewhere as “emotionally overwhelming” which is both a compliment and an admonishment at the same time. I think a more generous track-listing, for example, would have spaced out some of the darker moments, maybe make it a little easier to get into. Regardless of some of my minor issues with it, the album has a timeless feeling like I will be revisiting for years to come.
A highlight, “Between The Tides”, notable for its building intensity and just top notch guitar work:
One of my longtime favorite bands, the seminal R.E.M reissued their 1994 rocker, Monster, a few weeks ago to celebrate its 25th Anniversary. The album’s guitar-heavy rock holds up after all these years due to the deft performance from all bandmembers. Along with a remastered version of the album, outtakes and demos, a Remix version of the album, and a live show that features a lot of Monster, but also a lot from their Monster followup, New Adventures in Hi-Fi (arguably my favorite album of their epic discography), including this great live version from that album:
Most recently I’ve been listening\obsessing over the new album by FKA Twigs. She’s got one of the best voices in all of music, a vulnerable high register that threatens to break open like an egg. Her music is passionate and vibrant. The album is varied, ranging from what the equally impressive artist Grimes calls “ethereal music” to rap to electronic to bjork-esque heights of dream pop.
Hard to pick a standout track since they’re all unique and excellent, but this is my Song of the Week. I love the structure of the song and the way her voice shines in the chorus.
Pretty fucking epic, right ?
Elad Haber 