This week, Nick Landolfi, WTSR assistant music director, and Brigid Barber, 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: Caravan Palace
Album: “Robot Face”
Hailing From: Paris, France
Genre: Electro Swing
Label: Le Plan
Citing Django Reinhardt as their largest influence, Parisian electro-swing giants and pioneers, Caravan Palace, are on the vanguard of modern jazz infused house music. With little promotion and no big name record company, Caravan Palace earned a spot at Coachella last year based solely on word of mouth. Their sound combines old school jazz and swing with modern house and electronica. It’s mesmerizing. This album is lush with sweet electro beats that float above their biting jive and jazz. What at first sounds like some sort of joke, will catch you in a hypnotizing trance and you’ll find yourself dancing along.
Must Hear: “Midnight,” “Wonda,” “Lone Digger,” “Tattoos,” “Wonderland” and “Russian”
Band: Little Fevers
Album: “Field Trip”
Hailing From: Minneapolis, Mn.
Genre: Crunchy Sunshine Pop
Label: Self-released
The four piece band Little Fevers has released a debut album, which is strong and confident in its sound. Most likely because it was created by longtime friends and music cohorts dedicated to a delightful amalgamation of pop-rock. Many of the songs sound rather alike, besides a dip in tempo and diverse lyricism. However, this does not detract from their surfy vibe brought on by frontwoman Lucy Michelle, with the help of bandmates Ashley Boman, Geoff Freeman and Eamonn McLain. Being musically similar to Alvvays, while containing The XX-like riffs, their punchy and hefty tunes will surely not disappoint. The fact that it was recorded with Matt Boynton (Beirut, MGMT) and mastered by David Gardner (Black Lips) helps as well. Although their more upbeat songs will make you want to dance in the sand, having to cuddle up and feel nostalgia for summer is close enough!
Must Hear: “Can’t Get Enough,” “Stones,” “Gold,” “Apple Tree,” “Make It Easy” and “The End”
