Artist Making Waves: Vensaire [pysch pop / indie folk / experimental]

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Among all of the great bands and musicians that blossom out of Brooklyn and those that make the pilgrimage to "the center of the world" to join the scene, one band in particular stands out in this creative crowd—Vensaire. This colorful quintet, comprised of frontman Alex Laliberte, guitarist Robert Earl Thomas (one half of Widowspeak, which released holaOLA's No. 41 album of 2013), clasically-trained violinist Renata Zeiguer, bassist Hunter Hawes, and percussionist Alex Jacobs, draws from traditional Asian music, Western folk rock, and digital sampling to produce beautiful psychedelic folk compositions that sound like something that an Animal Collective/Grizzly Bear/Prince Rama collaboration would birth.

Vensaire already has a self-titled EP under their belt, for which each member wrote his/her own song for the rest of the band to elaborate upon and record. This collective approach to songwriting and recording clearly illustrates the band's desire to allow each member's style and influences to shine through in their music, not to mention it has a pretty excellent outcome.

On April 15 they will release their full-length concept album entitled Perdix, which is based on Homer's Odyssey and inspired by Audubon bird paintings. For now, enjoy the first two singles from Perdix and stream the entire Vensaire EP  below.

Swell Album: Abram Shook - Sun Marquee [indie pop / tropical / psychedelic / jazz / soul]

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As I listen to the new album Sun Marquee by Austin-based multi-instrumentalist Abram Shook I try to pick up some sort of consistency in his songs—as I do with all the music I write about—to be able to come up with genres it may fit into and to help me write a little something about it, but the only thing I've grasped so far is that no two songs are really alike. Shook's dreamy debut solo album is "all shook up" (har har har) in terms of musical direction. With one song you're grooving along to a soulful jazzy tune, then you're bouncing around to an upbeat indie pop jam, and the next one shoots you down a tunnel of syncopated psychedelia.

A spirited world traveler and apparently a big fan of Serge Gainsbourg, Shuggie Otis, fellow genre bender David Bowie, and Brazilian music, Abram Shook does a great job of drawing from his multitude of worldly influences to create a well-balanced eclectic record that hooks you upon first listen. If this great mixture of sunny pop songs has anything consistent about it, it's Shook's effortlessly cool vocals, groovy bass lines, an intricate rhythm section, and his beautiful guitar melodies all intertwined into a catchy record filled with lush production.

Enjoy the full album stream below and be sure to support Abram Shook by purchasing his album via his label Western Vinyl or by clicking the "Buy all on iTunes" link on the SoundCloud player below.

Just Rolled In: Hundred Waters - "Down From the Rafters" [electronic / ambient folk]

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Eighty-four years ago yesterday the former ninth planet of the Solar System was discovered by American astronomer Clyde M. Tombaugh. Although Pluto was demoted to "dwarf planet" last decade, we can't help but thank Mr. Tombaugh because in honor of his discovery of this desolate icy rock, my favorite Florida band Hundred Waters has shared the equally dark and mysterious track entitled "Down From the Rafters".

Channeling the unhurried eerie tracks of their 2012 self-titled debut (see "Caverns" and "Gather" below), Gainesville's Hundred Waters return in the wake of touring with Canadian art rock band BRAIDS with a mellow and stirring song that doesn't fail to show off their expert instrumentation while the ethereal vocals of lead singer Nicole Miglis sweep you away into the haunting melody. While a sophomore LP is on the horizon, it hasn't been confirmed just yet as to whether "Down From the Rafters" will have a spot on the record.

Check out the "Pluto Day" celebratory song below and if you're new to Hundred Waters, I demand you take the time to listen to their 2012 self-titled debut (my favorite album of 2012), which I've also embedded below.

Artist Making Waves: Shivum Sharma [electronic pop / soul]

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After releasing a pair of soulful piano-based bedroom demos last year, 19-year-old South Londoner Shivum Sharma is back with a studio version of the powerful slow-burner that turned heads in the first place, "Flicker", and its lusty B-side "Only You". The two tracks will be on the Flicker EP, which indie label National Anthem (home to CHVRCHES, HAIM, and Sir Sly) will be putting out on March 3.

Shivum Sharma enlisted the help of Warp signee Kwes. to produce his originally piano/vocals-heavy tracks. The result falls somewhere between James Blake and Antony and the Johnsons—unique passionate music with captivating electronic beats and textures that serve to add depth, not to divert attention away from Sharma's vulnerable, compelling croon and his solid piano work.

Enjoy the two tracks below (don't miss the climactic closer on "Flicker") and purchase a copy of the Flicker EP in March!

holaOLA's Top 50 Albums of 2013

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Here is my first attempt ever at a "Top 50 Albums" list, or rather, a "50 Favorite Albums" list, and it's a month late. haha. I've only considered LPs (sorry about that, RY X) and have left out re-releases, B-sides, demos, and compilations. As you may know, holaOLA was started as a platform to recommend music that I like and that I think should get more attention, so if you don't see your favorite album on this list, it's either because I think these 50 records are better, I haven't listened to it, or I simply don't like it. I hope you manage to find some new music here that you can appreciate as much as I do. For your convenience and listening pleasure I have included a song or two and often the entire album stream below each album art. You can access the list buy clicking here, scrolling down to the previous post, or by clicking the "older post" link below. Enjoy and thanks for listening!

-Sean

holaOLA's Top 50 Albums of 2013: Page 1 (50-41)

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holaOLA's Top 50 Albums of 2013: Page 2 (40-31)

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holaOLA's Top 50 Albums of 2013: Page 3 (30-21)

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