As fun as it is to complain about “music these days,” and how it’s all been downhill since The Chronic came out, it’s even MORE fun to listen to — wait for it — good music. Every Tuesday, a.k.a. Music Release Day, we’ll highlight five albums worth (legally) downloading or driving to the local Best Buy (lolz) for.
Today, we’ve got albums from 2 Chainz, Nude Beach, Lorelei, and more.
Based On A T.R.U. Story by 2 Chainz
Based on a T.R.U. Story is better than “I Luv Dem Strippers,” we swear, though not as much as we hoped. 2 Chainz’s Def Jam debut has a mega-star lineup, including Lil Wayne, Kanye West, and Nicki Minaj, which gives you a good idea of what you’re in for: big, a little bloated, and radio-ready. It’s also infectious as f*ck, if a bit obvious, with the charismatic Mr. Chainz proving that he belongs among the biggest names in mainstream rap.
Enterprising Sidewalks by Lorelei
Wavering post-rock from an impressively massive-sounding band that hadn’t released an album in 17 years.
Stereotype by Strong Arm Steady & Statik Selektah
The latest from Mitchy Slick, Krondon, and Phil Da Agony, also known as Strong Arm Steady, and producer Statik Selektah (with guest appearances from David Banner, Dom Kennedy, Casey Veggies, Planet Asia, and Chace Infinite) is an occasionally soulful, always fierce appreciation to West Coast hip-hop that doesn’t just celebrate the genre, but also expands it with a cohesive flow throughout. There’s nothing stereotypical about Stereotype.
II by Nude Beach
Scratchy power-pop by way of early Elvis Costello and middle-era the Replacements. You’ve heard Nude Beach’s joyful sound before — like on early Elvis Costello and middle-era Replacements songs, for instance — but beer-splashed three-minute songs with apostrophes in their titles, like “Walkin’ Down My Street,” can never (and should never) go out of style.
Just Tell Me That You Want Me: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac by Various Artists
Like most “various artists” compilations, Just Tell Me That You Want Me, a 21st century tribute to Fleetwood Mac featuring interpretations of their songs by MGMT, Best Coast, and the Kills, among others, is hit or miss. Unlike most “various artists” compilations, Just Tell Me has more hits than misses, including Tame Impala’s psychedelic “That’s All for Everyone” and Lykke Li’s haunting “Silver Springs.” Best of all, no one covers “Don’t Stop”!
