New Music

The Top 10 Fuzztastic Albums of the Fall

  • September 17, 2013
  • 5 min read
  • 35 Views

The chill of the season has already crept upon us and that means two things: 1) some of the year’s best music has been and will be released over the next few weeks and 2) pumpkin spice will infiltrate EVERYTHING.

It’s time to pull out your cozy sweaters, cuddle up with someone you love, and fuzz with anticipation at:

The 10 Most Fuzztastic Albums of the Fall (aka the best fall Fuzzlist ever)

10. Sleigh Bells – Bitter Rivals (10/8/13)

Sleigh Bells have always been about unabashed expression; living from party to party – sonically coasting through an amalgam of musical genres. Their latest album promises even more boundary-pushing, and…dance routines apparently.

9. Icona Pop – This is Icona Pop (9/24/13)

As AF has said before, Icona Pop is the latest fem-pop force to reckon with, and their message makes their music even more inviting. Where lady Gaga is singing about the marriage of Art and Pop, Icona Pop is exploring the marriage of Individuality and Pop, and the incredible diversity that should be exposed through it.

8. The Naked and Famous – In Rolling Waves (In Stores Now)

Making a modest splash in the states so far, TNAF has an anthemic sound, quirky vocals and lyrics, and intriguing thematic writing to offer the indie scene. They should be making waves soon, mark my words.

7. Janelle Monae – The Electric Lady (In Stores Now)

Yes, I’m sure you’ve heard this mentioned several times over the last week, however the album is so good, it bares repeating. The fall is fuzzy and electric thanks to Cindi Mayweather and her android adventures. Check out the tracks “Given Em What They Love (feat Prince),” “Electric Lady (feat Solange),” “Primetime (feat Miguel),” and “What an Experience.” The album is about finding sexual and emotional identity, in a world of clones and love abusers. A message for everyone, eh?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5ewB-o5N9A

6. Arcade Fire – Reflektor (10/29/13)

After dropping several cryptic hints that they were releasing a follow up to critically acclaimed “The Suburbs,” which included street marketing and hidden online messages, The Arcade Fire is back. They’ve even managed to snag the one and only David Bowie for their new project, and you can hear him on their latest (eponymous) single.

5. Elvis Costello & the Roots – Wise Up Ghost (In Stores Now)

In so many words, Elvis Costello takes getting used to. His raspy voice and off-kilter vocal inflections are an acquired taste. I have always been an admirer of his skill as a songwriter, and when I heard he was working with the Roots for all-new material, I knew we were in for a treat. After performing with the Roots on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon several times, the Costello and the group decided it was time for a studio collaboration…without having a recording contract…and many other side projects going on simultaneously…and, well the early reviews are glowing and I am excited to see what they’ve come up with!

4. Haim – Days Are Gone (In Stores – 9/30/13)

Perhaps on the of the most unexpected trios to appear on the scene lately, Haim has been basking in the glow of several sleeper hit singles. Combing simple yet lush Dixie-Chick harmonies, unpredictable arrangements, and themes that all of us can relate to; Haim is yet another feminine force to be reckoned with. I am in love with their most recent single ‘the Wire.’ Put it on your Fall FuzzList.

3. Amel Larrieux – Ice Cream Everyday (In Stores – 10/1/13)

The former member of Groove Theory returns in October (a postponement from August) with a highly anticipated all-original album (her first since 2005) entitled ‘Ice Cream Everyday.’ Being that it’s a Fall Fuzzlist, I realize adding a frozen summery treat to the mix is a bold choice. Well, we like bold choices around here, and so does Amel Larrieux. Her nouveau-R&B sound is brave, cool, and always tasty. I’ll take two.

2. of Montreal – lousy with sylvianbriar (10/8/13)

Kevin Barnes and company return (After only a year and a half) with their latest sure-to-be-trippy musical offering “lousy with sylvianbriar,’ in a few short weeks. Do we have any idea what the title means, or why they went with an im-sure-they-were-on-acid painting of a motorcycle for the cover, or why Kevin can’t write songs without words that I have to look up in the dictionary? Nope. That’s cool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W6xjJ1iN7s

1. Lorde – Pure Heroine (10/1/13)

Last, and certainly not least, her highness (finally) releases her debut album in 2 weeks. Step aside Kimbra, it looks like Lorde is now New Zealand’s reigning pop princess. I’m intrigued, albeit a little confused, by the whole concept of Lorde – a pale skinned girl from a distant island, with a moniker that belongs to a dude, who sings about royalty and daddy issues. I guess it boils down to holding her audience captive, which she’s managed to do so far, and letting them go whenever she damn well pleases. Hail.

Which fall albums are YOU most looking forward to? FUZZ OFF down below.

Image courtesy of samantha-brown.com

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About Author

Chris Ryan

Chris Ryan is an accomplished promoter, event planner, producer, activist, counselor, poet and blogger. Within the course of two and a half years Chris Ryan has worked with some of NYC's most established promoters/event planners, been named 2007′s GaySocialite of the year, granted a promoter of the year award from NYC's most famous gay establishment, Splash. He's worked in some of NYC's top venues including; Avalon, Capitale, Cipriani, Cielo, Pacha, Element, Le Poisson Rouge, XL, G Lounge, Plumm, Hilton Hotel, Indigo Hotel, Spirit, Myst/Quo, Splash, The Ritz, Vlada, Roseland Ballroom, Heaven, etc. In 2008, Chris Ryan has begun to unveil some of the most innovative & unique parties New York City has ever seen. The Fusion events "fuse" together all disciplines of art into an event that remains diverse yet cohesive at the same time. ChrisRyanNYC.com won best gay promotions website from NYC Event Patrons in 2008 & he was granted an award from the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, Gov. Patterson & Michelle Clunie (QAF) saluting him for his hard work in nightlife. Chris Ryan has also begun working with many renown companies, including; doctors, lawyers, physicians, modeling agencies & more. Chris Ryan has been responsible for wide-scale promotions for all these companies & generating tremendous business. Chris Ryan has even started to become National with events taking place in LA & Miami this year. In May of 2009 Chris Ryan received the very prestigious honor of being named a "40 Under 40″ Gays in America by the Advocate Magazine. He also created three successful parties that generated over 1,500 patrons each. In January of 2010 Chris Ryan was featured as one of the top promoters to look out for in Noize Magazine Chris Ryan joined forces with legendary promoter/event producer, Lee Chappell and created one of the most talked about events of all 2010, Desire @ Capitale. Chris Ryan and Lee featured one of the most outstanding artists NYC has ever seen, "Oh Land." Her performance coupled with an exquisite and unforgettable set design added to this extravagant event that held over 1,000 patrons in one of NYC's most successful PRIDE events! Chris Ryan then joined forces with legendary Pacha promoter, Rob Fernandez in addition to Jake Resnicow and Tommy Marinelli to bring one of the largest and most successful parties worldwide to NYC, MATINEE. The event on Governor's Island saw over 2,000+ attendees and one of the most ambitious productions ever. In 2011 Chris Ryan started Emerge Music Promotions with business partner Darren Melchiorre. Emerge Music promotions began signing artists with plans to develop and market the artists to the community at large. Emerge Music promotions has big events planned for 2012 and 2013. Chris Ryan debuted the IMAGE events which took place on top of two of NYC's most beautiful rooftop venues, Rare View and Indigo Hotel. The events were blogged everywhere and featured the fashion designs of several clothing designers, artists and photographers. Chris Ryan felt that fashion and art should be displayed at every event and attracted the likes of Malan Breton, Calvin Klein and even Katy Perry. Chris Ryan began an extremely successful event which incorporated the concept of a house party into a nightclub atmosphere. The event Twist'D at G Lounge has been one of the most talked about events in NYC and allows it's audience to play nearly-naked Twister, beer pong, flip cup & more with other attendees. Chris Ryan was granted an excellence in volunteering award from AVP (Anti-Violence Project) for all his efforts in supporting the organization. 2013 has a very promising landscape on the horizon and Chris Ryan is complacent in saying "you haven't seen anything yet!"

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