The War On Drugs – Lost In The Dream    ★★★★☆

Lost In The Dream sounds like Red Rider, if Red Rider was cool.  NB In certain parts of the world, substitute “Golden Earring” for “Red Rider”.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LmX5c7HoUw]

 

Ava Luna – Electric Balloon   ★★☆

Hip modern funk that would probably be great live, but on record comes across as a steaming, jagged mess of ideas that jar rather gratingly.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk3eR0TiZls]

 

Marissa Nadler – July   ★★★★

Breaking up is hard to do – but rarely does it comes across with such electrifying grace.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_KVavjkdTs]

 

Schoolboy Q – Oxymoron   ★★☆

A major label debut that falls flat – boring beats, little creativity, awkward pacing.  Complete disappointment after the electric Habits and Contradictions.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEMsjeq43_U]

Future Islands – Singles    ★★★☆

Slick New Wave with pro-level hooks and a glossy modern sheen.  Pop music done correctly, if not imaginatively.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5Ae-LhMIG0]