This week, Nick Landolfi, WTSR assistant music director, and Sydney Shaw, music staff member, highlight some of the best new albums that the College’s own radio station, 91.3 FM WTSR, puts into its weekly rotation.
Band: Giorgio Moroder
Album: “Déjà vu”
Hailing From: Urtijëi, Italy
Genre: 80s Dance Disco
Label: RCA
To most of you, Giorgio Moroder was the name of a Daft Punk song from 2013’s “Random Access Memories.” In reality, he is one of the pioneers of disco, dance music, EDM and electro. Why do you think the guys who created EDM and dance music named a song after him? Nevertheless, this album is funky fresh. You’ll find a list featuring a crazy collection of people from Sia and Charli XCX to Kylie Minogue and Britney Spears. This is a pop-disco album that is heavy on the pop. Ultimately, you’ll hear a lot of the roots to what popular music has recently been stealing from this album. To some, it may sound disjointed and outdated, but in my humble opinion, I think it’s a good attempt for a 74 year old to expand his musical talents again.
Must Hear: “Déjà Vu (feat. Sia),” “Diamonds (feat. Charli XCX),” “Right Here Right Now (feat. Kylie Minogue)” and “Tempted (feat. Matthew Koma)”
Band: The Front Bottoms
Album: “Back On Top”
Hailing From: Woodcliff Lake, N.J.
Genre: Indie Punk Rock
Label: Fueled by Ramen
It might be tough for day-one Front Bottoms fans to accept the band’s transition from “Taking my Uzi to the Gym” to signing with Fueled By Ramen. But from a technical standpoint, “Back on Top” is their best-produced and most developed LP yet. Frontman Brian Sella’s growing confidence shines through on nearly every track and the band’s signature humor and high-energy are more prominent than ever before. Replete with deep lyrics and delicately layered instrumentals, “Cough it Out” is a deliriously beautiful song. In “2YL,” Sella sings about relationships — from having sex to being there to support one another. A fun horns section makes this track stand out. In fact, Ciaran O’Donnell’s key and horn additions add a component to “Back on Top” that previous TFB albums were lacking.
Must hear: “Summer Shandy,” “Cough It Out,” “Laugh Till I Cry” and “2YL”
