Aren’t we all glad that the world didn’t end last year? Because if it had, we probably wouldn’t have gotten to listen to all the wonderful albums released this year. Though only half the year has gone by, enough good music to keep us sated for months to come has already been released. Here are some of my favourite albums of the year so far:
Undeniably the best track on “Yeezus”, New Slaves is definitely worth a listen!
Album Review by Juhi Matta
Don’t Forget Who You Are – Miles Kane (Columbia, 2013)
My rating: 4.5/5
Standout tracks: Don’t Forget Who You Are, Out of Control, Tonight
Having a signature sound that’s immediately recognizable is a hard feat to accomplish, especially when you’ve only released one. Somehow, Miles Kane seems to have established just that.
The 27-year-old musician, best known for his side-project The Last Shadow Puppets with Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner, has always been a stronger guitarist than vocalist. And with Don’t Forget Who You Are, he plays up this strength as much as possible. Not only does this make for a solid rock album, but each of the tunes is catchy enough to be able to dance to as well.
Kane, who intentionally filled his debut LP, Colour of the Trap, with slow jams like “Happenstance” and “Take the Night from Me” to distance himself from The Last Shadow Puppets, seems to have found a middle ground between both sounds. And it works like a charm. The opening track “Taking Over” starts with a guitar riff that perfectly sets the tone for the rest of the album, while also showcasing Kane’s exceptional guitar-playing. Tracks like “Don’t Forget Who You Are”, “Taking Over” and “You’re Gonna Get It” perfectly blend the catchiness of pop music with the grittiness of rock music.
Enjoyed the ballads? Fret not! Don’t Forget Who You Are has quite a few throwbacks to Colour of the Trap. “Out of Control” and “Fire in My Heart” see Miles Kane demonstrate a vocal range even fans wouldn’t think he’s capable of. As he channels his inner Liam Gallagher (during Oasis’ peak, of course), the musician belts out lyrics like “There’s a darkness in our hearts / And my smile hides an aching heart / Although we’re close, we’re miles apart / Don’t let this darkness fill our hearts” making the album both soulful and immediately catchy.
All in all, Don’t Forget Who You Are is a fun album, ideal for the summer. Made up of short, catchy tunes, the LP showcases Kane’s talents as a songwriter, guitarist and vocalist, cementing his place as more than just a one-hit wonder.
life in terms of music 