Our top 10 favorite albums of 2011 thus far – Nr. 3

This is our favorite albums of 2011 so far countdown! So just us saying which albums have been doing it for us in the first half year of 2011. I love scouring lists like these as there is so much music coming out I find it impossible to keep track of everything. And these lists indicate what people really have been enjoying, and sometimes you agree, sometimes disagree, and sometimes it tips you on a future favourite. So hence this list, and hope you find some stuff to enjoy in there! 

Favorite albums of 2011 at the halfway point: 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5- 4

Ilse: Nr. 3. Gang Gang Dance – Eye Contact (4AD)
“I can hear everything, it’s everything time” is said at the very beginning of the album’s daunting opening track ‘Glass Jar’ and with this they set the tone for the rest of the record: ‘Eye Contact’ unleashes a more steady, polished and full sound, perhaps also a little less experimental and noisy, but remaining as psychedelic as their other albums. In between a myriad of instruments and sounds, ranging from amazing cymbals and percussion work to pounding drums and out-of-control and swirling synths we find another thing that’s incredibly enjoyable: Lizzi Bougatsos' dreamy, almost from outer space, vocals, she acts almost like a seductive snake luring you into a paradise of temptation and uncertainty, as well as a state of disorientation. The whole combination make it feel you’re at some futuristic dance party on a planet in some other galaxy. I still wouldn’t call this album ‘pop oriented’, but it is certainly more ‘listenable’ and accessible than, say, ‘God’s Money ‘. The track ‘Glass Jar’ for example is 11 minutes long, but every second of it is interesting and no matter how often you listen to it, there always something new to discover. Each song on its own has it magical and exotic qualities, while ‘Eye Contact’ as whole manages to flow beautifully as well, resulting into a solid record which is splendid to dance to and is rewarding every single time you listen to it.

Random track to listen to: ‘Glass Jar’

Linda: Nr. 3. Austra – Feel it break (Domino)

The top 3! We’ve finally made it there! And this fantastic debut album by Austra definitely is a step up from the rest of my top 10. Austra, a band from Canada (of course, as what is a top 10 without some Canadian influences?) are just three people, whatever their musical compositions might believe you to think at times. Lead singer Katie Stelmanis has been going at it solo for well of six years now, but with the addition of two extra band members she has finally hit the right spot. It might sound a bit familiar, but Stelmanis used to sing opera. Seriously. For the second year in a row I’ve got a former opera singer in my top 3. Next thing you’ll know mountain bikers will be going road cycling and win the Tour de France. There are certainly similarities between Austra and Zola Jesus: the amazing voice, both starting out DIY but going on to discover actual production and the doom and gloom hovering in the background. ‘Lose it’ is probably one of the songs where those opera influences in her voice shine through the most, and contrast most with the electronica she has discovered since. ‘The Beat and the Pulse’ is my personal highlight of the album though: it’s dark, it’s danceable and it has this incredible hook that makes it into one of the best tracks I’ve heard this year. The rest of the album might lag behind a tiny bit behind these two tracks, but boy, if this is only their debut album I really want to see what they manage to pull out next.

Random track to listen to: ‘Beat and the Pulse’

Stef: Nr. 3. Hercules & Love Affair – Blue Songs (Moshi Moshi)

Okay, so, I did not like this band on the first go around. My indifference to the first record turned into annoyance when I saw them live in the original line-up at Lowlands. So, fast-forward a couple of years, and here I am having seen this band three times already on the back of their new LP Blue Songs. With the first time at Trouw being the absolute bomb, and one of the most fun live experiences I’ve had in recent years. Good crowd, the band was getting it on, and everyone was dancing and having fun and marvelling at the moves, the beats, and those voices. New vocalist Aerea Negrot has turned into somewhat of a personal favourite of mine with those great vocals. Plus, live the whole band radiates so much fun and enjoyment it is hard not to get into that. The new album goes in somewhat of a curve, in that it starts a bit wistful with dreamy songs like ‘Painted Eyes’, then they dip into two or three ballads, before going all House (with House being the kind with the friggin’ disco vocals on top). Some of these tracks I think no one would mind if they would drop at a House party in between some classics. Very much indebted to the house/disco tradition, but the band doesn’t so much copy as that it celebrates and puts it into a renewed context with emphasis on personal freedom, a communal feeling, and having fun. Three qualities house has always been about anyway.

Random track to listen to: ‘Visitor’