Santigold, I Don’t Want: The Gold Fire Sessions

Santigold, I Don’t Want: The Gold Fire Sessions

Philly-based rennaisance woman Santi White’s latest release is full of ridiculously catchy tunes, most of them bright, melodic pop songs undergirded by rhythms of myriad inspirations, but especially dancehall and dub. White’s voice delights in her upper ranges and bounces along with such day-glo radiance, it’s all the more satisfying when you realize the songs have both depth and lyrical dexterity, and that the music underneath is so intricately rich. This album is technically a mixtape — in the rap sense of the word, not the cassette compilations Gen X-ers made — rather than an album; there’ll be no singles, no push to make it commercially successful, she’s just releasing songs for free to get recognition. That doesn’t stop it from being one of the very best pop records of the year. Highlights: “Coo Coo Coo,” “Valley of the Dolls,” “Crashing Your Party”

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Ezra Furman, Transangelic Exodus

Ezra Furman , Transangelic Exod us Ezra Furman’s “Queer outlaw saga” wowed me at every turn. A concept album about a boy and his lover on the run from the law — after the lover undergoes illegal surgery to become an angel — Furman soars and rages his way through his most impassioned album yet. Fleeing the authorities in a red Camaro, his protagonists continually risk their lives in service to their love for each other and to their true nature. These are powerful, vulnerable songs, teaming with urgency but sweetened by magic. The album’s mysticism has its roots in Furman’s own spirituality — he’s an observant Jew who never performs Friday nights — and he liberally weaves clearly autobiographical elements into the story, which makes it all the more resonant. Like the best concept albums, the story never bogs itself down in plot details, so that its finer points aren’t necessary for the enjoyment of the individual songs. Furman’s new band, the Visions, blends the guitars, s...

Kanye West & Kid Cudi, Kids See Ghosts

Kanye West & Kid Cudi , Kids See Ghosts After his listener-alienating,public declarations of profound ignorance, it was inevitable one Kanye album had to bomb. And so we had Ye, full of bluster, short on insight and impossible to listen to without remembering its maker’s missteps. One week later comes this collaboration and suddenly, West seems willing and able to wrestle with his demons and, if not apologize, at least acknowledge what he’s wrought and try to move forward. Kanye does the lion’s share of the rapping and the production, while alternative rap icon Kid Cudi does most of the singing. Cudi’s presence and his vocal contributions seem to temper Kanye and guide him to higher ground, while Kanye sharpens Cudi’s focus. I don’t know if this album is enough to reassure anyone about where Kanye’s head is at, but it does suggest he‘s got better influences in his life than a delinquent president, and the music is unassailable. Highlights: “Reborn,” “Fe...

The Beths, Future Me Hates Me

The Beths , Future Me Hates Me The product of four jazz majors who don’t particularly show their roots, the Beths’ debut full-length is unrelentingly hooky, energetic indie rock with frenetic, grungy guitars and punk sensibilities. From New Zealand, this band lives at a charmed intersection of ingenuity and simplicity, with plenty of intricate riffs and clever turns of phrase, all of which wind up incorporated into catchy, chorus-focused, power pop bliss. Elizabeth Stokes’ wry, witty lyrics and confident but unassuming vocal delivery is championed by the exuberant backing vocals of her bandmates, who are obviously all friends from college. Stokes is the only literal Beth in the band, and she’s more than enough. Highlights: “Little Death,” “Less Than Thou,” “Future Me Hates Me”

Album Reviews by Stefan Wenger

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