Future Islands' Singles (4AD) isn't a hits compilation, in spite of the album's title, but it should be. Every song on the album is strong enough to stand on its own, and the combined firepower of the tracks is dazzling. Part of the credit goes to the trio's lead vocalist Samuel T. Herring, whose soulful wail is unlike anything you've ever heard before. Irresistible Herring hooks listeners the moment he opens his mouth on "Seasons (Waiting on You)." It also helps that the songwriting, one of the most successful updates of new wave in recent memory, is phenomenal. You can dance if you want to, to songs such as the haunting "Spirit," the slinky "Doves," the radiant "Light House," "Like the Moon" and "A Dream of You & Me."
For sheer beauty, you can't go wrong with Familiars (Anti) by The Antlers. The Antlers are an all-male trio who incorporate electronics into their sound, with an organic approach including Darby Cicci's trumpet. The results are stunning, especially on the grand opener "Palace." The moody "Hotel" is an invitation to check in and stay awhile, and the moody "Intruders" is welcome. Listeners may find themselves returning to the subtle torch and twang of "Revisited," and will find it hard to resist "Surrender."
OK Go is probably better known for its inventive music videos than for its music, but that should change with Hungry Ghosts (Parachute/BMG). Sure, the visually remarkable videos for the New Order-esque "The Writing's on the Wall" and the funky retro disco hand-clapper "I Won't Let You Down" are tasty. But here's the thing: even without the visuals, both songs are special in their own right. The same holds true for the bombastic "Upside Down & Inside Out," the blippy "Another Set of Issues," the INXS-y "Obsession," the soaring soul of "If I Had a Mountain," the sexy slither of "I'm Not Through" and the soothing "Lullaby."
Kongos, made up of four brothers �" Johnny, Jesse, Dylan and Danny �" are the men behind the hit single "Come with Me Now" from their major-label debut album Lunatic (Epic). The Kongos brothers are the progeny of a singer/songwriter, John Kongos (of the 1970s hits "Tokoloshe Man" and "He's Gonna Step on Again"), who also had a hand in their record (as exec producer/backing vocalist).
On its new album Second Sight (Factor/Sonic Tonic/Warner), Canadian band Hey Rosetta! rides in on a vibe similar to fellow Great White North music-makers Arcade Fire and Broken Social Scene. Although they lack those bands' hipster mentality, there is plenty to appeal to a wide range of listeners. Visionary tracks include "Gold Teeth," "Neon Beyond," "Promise" and the irresistible "Kintsukuroi."
Cool CD cover aside, Delta Spirit's Into the Wide (Dualtone) sounds like the sun-drenched band's most accomplished release to date. Calling on a wide range of influences from the 70s through the early 21st century, Delta Spirit's electrified Americana is at its most refreshing on "Take Shelter," "Language of the Dead" and the gorgeous closing tune "The Wreck."
Cold War Kids wasted no time following up 2013's Dear Miss Lonelyhearts with the impressive Hold My Home (Downtown), containing the song "Harold Bloom," which name-checks the renowned literary critic and religion writer. Lyfe (Western Vinyl) the striking second album by Glass Ghost, features a number of guest artists including queer musician Joan Wasser of Joan As Police Woman fame. There's no one named Margot in the band Margot and the Nuclear So and So's; the name comes from a character in Wes Anderson's The Royal Tenenbaums. The band's new album, Sling Shot to Heaven (Mariel), continues the tradition of pretty chamber pop the band has been making for almost 10 years.