Dent, the latest effort from Cleveland’s Signals Midwest, feels, to me, like an urgent, hand-to-heart ode to easier days, and as a tribute to midwest emo and punk. The first LP by them in a surprising six years, Dent is earnest, full of heart and fire and catchy tunes. This is maybe best exemplified by this post’s Most Important: “Gold in The Grey” but there are plenty of tracks to choose from, should you want to take a little listen back to a simpler, more energetic time. (And, yes, I may be projecting a bit here, deal with it.)
Arab Strap - Compersion Pt. 1
As Days Get Dark is the latest from Arab Strap and it’s a bit of a throw-back. Which is kind of a ridiculous statement as it’s the first album from the Scottish duo in about fifteen years. To my ears, it sounds as if this could have followed hot on the footsteps of 2005’s The Last Romance. Very cool and, if anything, As Days Get Dark feels like it’s got more youthful energy than their previous efforts, but maybe that’s just my mood listening to it.
Sleaford Mods - Mork n Mindy
I think they have six or more albums out at this point, but Sleaford Mods are new to me as of this year. Their latest album, Spare Ribs, is a lot of funky; slightly awkward, overly serious at times, too silly at others and generally easy to love but hard to categorize. There are quite a few good tracks on Spare Ribs, so it was a bit tough to pick one. I went with “Mork n Mindy” for a few reasons, not least of which is the terrific guest vocal performance by Billy Nomates. Her latest, especially “Petrol Fumes”, is great.