Lav's Music Corner

Alvvays are a Canadian indie pop and dream pop band who have been around for almost a decade now but Blue Rev  is just their 3rd album. The five years since their sophomore record Antisocialites  hasn't dissuaded fans from generating a lot of hype for their new project, which predicted a shift to heavier shoegaze-inspired sounds across its 5 singles.  Review by Lav: I've always been a big fan of Alvvays since I first heard Archie, Marry Me  on some indie blog years ago. While I can't say they've ever been one of my favorite bands even within their genre niche, you can always expect consistently enjoyable songwriting and execution from the band. Both of those pretty much continue onto Blue Rev  which isn't rewriting the book on anything, but it still solid.  The album had 5 singles and the first two serve as the opening stretch of the record. Pharmacist  opens with a perfect meeting of the band's typically sweet sound and catchy refrains with more shoeg...

It's A week at least. I'm on time you gotta give me credit for that. Enjoy <3 5.  Love On The Run  - Broken Bells The latest and likely final single from Danger Mouse and James Mercer in the lead-up to their return as Broken Bells is yet another that lulls you in and grows over time. The wandering composition and spacey echoing instrumentation aren't likely to blow you away immediately but every time I heard the song I found myself enjoying it more and more as it went on.  Listen 4.  Belinda Says  - Alvvays Alvvays continued dive into the world of shoegaze has resulted in heavier and heavier singles and with one hit after another, it's easy to hope they never look back. The noise isn't just there for the sake of it either these songs are an all-out rush that never get less exciting. If hype for the record is the goal of their continued single rollout, it's working.  Listen 3.  All I Need To Hear  - The 1975 the second slow-burner single from Th...

One day late, sorry. Lav's quest for stable wi-fi is still an ongoing one and there were so many good songs it was hard to put it all together.  HM. Easy On Your Own?  - Alvvays Normally I wouldn't include an honorable mention on a list like this but I just couldn't leave Alvvays out. The bands turn into a far heavier and more shoegaze-inspired sound is a worthwhile one that I've now enjoyed for back to back tracks.  Listen 5. Saturdays  - Broken Bells Broken Collective? Animal Bells? The year of highlights for Animal Collective manifests itself in a very strange way here with James and DM taking on the band's trademark watery psychedelia and doing a genuinely admirable job of it. While it's far from what I expected I do think it's the best song I've heard from the project in a LONG time and did a significant amount to boost my excitement for their upcoming return.  Listen 4. I'll Fight You  - Open Mike Eagle Another lyrically sharp track from Open M...

One day late, sorry, busy weekend. Not wasting any more time.  Enjoy <3 5.  Graveyard Love  - The Mars Volta While it's clear that we won't get the full picture of this new Mars Volta record until it can be digested in its entirety but these singles certainly seem to predict a change of pace. With clearer and hookier melodies, less overwhelming instrumentation and a short runtime it's a fine outing though one that certainly stands out for the band. Listen 4.  RUN  - Killer Mike (Feat. Young Thug) Killer Mike is back with his first solo single since Run The Jewels became america's sweethearts and it features a fellow Atlanta legend in the recently incarcerated Young Thug. For the most part the track is a parade of Mike's accomplishments as a veteran in the hip hop community who has been one of the definitive conscious voices in the genre for over 20 years. Despite its general lack of ambition that song is still an exciting anthem based on the charm and stature...

The Top 10 Artists Of 2017 While the Albums, Songs and EPs list celebrate individual achievements of greatness artist of the Year takes a step further. Everyone comes into the start of a year in different places and everyone leaves a changed artist, whether drastic or minor. The Top Artist Of The Year has always been one of the more subjective lists as it takes into account the perception of an artist beyond their music where opinions differ even further. Acts like Kendrick Lamar and LCD Soundsystem released albums that would easily land a first timer on this list, but when compared to their greater discographies we're left to wonder what could have been. These 15 artists left no room for wishing as they set out to have fantastic 2017's across the board. Honorable Mentions Alvvays In 2017 Alvvays proved they had staying power in the Dream Pop genre, a feat most bands without "Beach" in their name have struggled to achieve. A trio of fantastic singles and ...