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Five albums to try this week Five albums to try this week
(35 minutes later)
Fatima Al Qadiri – Asiatisch (Hyperdub)Fatima Al Qadiri – Asiatisch (Hyperdub)
Why you should listen: Al Qadiri, raised in the crossfire of Iraq’s 90s Kuwaiti occupation, saturates this “sino-grime” electronica album in references to orientalism, angular soundscapes and fantasy notions of past and present China.Why you should listen: Al Qadiri, raised in the crossfire of Iraq’s 90s Kuwaiti occupation, saturates this “sino-grime” electronica album in references to orientalism, angular soundscapes and fantasy notions of past and present China.
It might not be for you if… The thought of an overly cerebral and theoretical grime record makes you groan and roll your eyes.It might not be for you if… The thought of an overly cerebral and theoretical grime record makes you groan and roll your eyes.
What we said: “With so much theory and style to cut through before you get to the actual music, it's to the album's credit that it often stands up as much more than just a high-brow, Edward Said-inspired thought experiment,” wrote Lanre Bakare, in the Guardian.What we said: “With so much theory and style to cut through before you get to the actual music, it's to the album's credit that it often stands up as much more than just a high-brow, Edward Said-inspired thought experiment,” wrote Lanre Bakare, in the Guardian.
Score: 4/5Score: 4/5
Conor Oberst – Upside Down Mountain (Nonesuch)Conor Oberst – Upside Down Mountain (Nonesuch)
Why you should listen: Oberst, of Bright Eyes and a myriad of side projects, returns to his Americana roots. He sounds as lyrically lithe and expressive as in his I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning and Letting off the Happiness days.Why you should listen: Oberst, of Bright Eyes and a myriad of side projects, returns to his Americana roots. He sounds as lyrically lithe and expressive as in his I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning and Letting off the Happiness days.
It might not be for you if… You prefer Oberst when he’s dabbling more heavily in pop, or even the polarising electronica of Digital Ash in a Digital Urn. Or mostly if you’re not keen on a rootsy, introspective singer-songwriter record right now.It might not be for you if… You prefer Oberst when he’s dabbling more heavily in pop, or even the polarising electronica of Digital Ash in a Digital Urn. Or mostly if you’re not keen on a rootsy, introspective singer-songwriter record right now.
What we said: “Upside Down Mountain casts him as road-worn troubadour, his ragged vocals set largely to acoustic guitar or blue-collar riffs, and occasional harmonies from Swedish folk sisters First Aid Kit,” wrote Ally Carnwath, in the Observer.What we said: “Upside Down Mountain casts him as road-worn troubadour, his ragged vocals set largely to acoustic guitar or blue-collar riffs, and occasional harmonies from Swedish folk sisters First Aid Kit,” wrote Ally Carnwath, in the Observer.
Score: 4/5Score: 4/5
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The Roots – …And Then You Shoot Your Cousin (Virgin EMI)The Roots – …And Then You Shoot Your Cousin (Virgin EMI)
Why you should listen: Questlove and Black Thought and co have pulled together another narrative concept album – following 2011’s Undun – that weaves between multiple-character tales of lust, destitution and the struggle to survive.Why you should listen: Questlove and Black Thought and co have pulled together another narrative concept album – following 2011’s Undun – that weaves between multiple-character tales of lust, destitution and the struggle to survive.
It might not be for you if… You were hoping for an upbeat and wildly optimistic album from the group. All smiles on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon it certainly is not.It might not be for you if… You were hoping for an upbeat and wildly optimistic album from the group. All smiles on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon it certainly is not.
What we said: “There is a distinctly apocalyptic feel to this mosaic of hard-knock tales from urban America – "No idea how much time's left, fuck trying to cherish it," a street-hardened voice spits, chillingly, on The Dark”, wrote Killian Fox, in the Observer.What we said: “There is a distinctly apocalyptic feel to this mosaic of hard-knock tales from urban America – "No idea how much time's left, fuck trying to cherish it," a street-hardened voice spits, chillingly, on The Dark”, wrote Killian Fox, in the Observer.
Score: 4/5Score: 4/5
Nils Petter Molvaer – Switch (Okeh/Sony)Nils Petter Molvaer – Switch (Okeh/Sony)
Why you should listen: The Norwegian trumpeter brings on a new band, featuring pedal steel guitarist Geir Sundstøl, pianist Morten Qvenild and drummer Erland Dahlen, to craft dreamy, experimental tracks that straddle jazz and ambient electronica.Why you should listen: The Norwegian trumpeter brings on a new band, featuring pedal steel guitarist Geir Sundstøl, pianist Morten Qvenild and drummer Erland Dahlen, to craft dreamy, experimental tracks that straddle jazz and ambient electronica.
It might not be for you if… You prefer your jazz trumpet traditional, and void of prog or genre fusion elements.It might not be for you if… You prefer your jazz trumpet traditional, and void of prog or genre fusion elements.
What we said: “It's a fine band, a strong repertoire, and a striking new Molvaer statement,” wrote John Fordham, in the Guardian.What we said: “It's a fine band, a strong repertoire, and a striking new Molvaer statement,” wrote John Fordham, in the Guardian.
Score: 4/5Score: 4/5
Kate Tempest – Everybody Down (Big Dada)Kate Tempest – Everybody Down (Big Dada)
Why you should listen: The Ted Hughes poetry prize-winner and spoken word artist ventures into sonic territory more deliberately indebted to hip-hop than her previous work in neo-soul/jazz group Sound of Rum.Why you should listen: The Ted Hughes poetry prize-winner and spoken word artist ventures into sonic territory more deliberately indebted to hip-hop than her previous work in neo-soul/jazz group Sound of Rum.
It might not be for you if… You’re the kind of hip-hop lover who isn’t quite ready to open up their heart to a concept album performed by a former Brit-schooler. Or if you think she should stick to the spoken word style instead.It might not be for you if… You’re the kind of hip-hop lover who isn’t quite ready to open up their heart to a concept album performed by a former Brit-schooler. Or if you think she should stick to the spoken word style instead.
What we said: “Tempest shines, though, through her use of language, which illuminates the subject matter – from boardroom drug deals to vacuous parties where "everybody … has got a hyphenated second name" – to dazzling effect,” wrote Tim Jonze, in the Guardian. Click here for Kitty Empire’s four-star review of the album in the Observer.What we said: “Tempest shines, though, through her use of language, which illuminates the subject matter – from boardroom drug deals to vacuous parties where "everybody … has got a hyphenated second name" – to dazzling effect,” wrote Tim Jonze, in the Guardian. Click here for Kitty Empire’s four-star review of the album in the Observer.
Score: 4/5Score: 4/5
Last week, most people below-the-line vouched for the new Swans record over old Jacko, Little Dragon et al. Which these albums do you think you'll be trying out? Or, if none of them take your fancy, what are you looking forward to listening to this week? Jump into the comments section and let us know. Last week, most people below-the-line vouched for the new Swans record over old Jacko, Little Dragon et al. Which of these albums do you think you'll be trying out? Or, if none of them take your fancy, what are you looking forward to listening to this week? Jump into the comments section and let us know.