Originally written by Sean Adams · 25 February 2014
Between Valentine's, Prince's 'Hit & Run tour', The Winter Olympics, The BAFTAs, The BRITs and various other stuff, what February lacked in days, it sure made up for in terms of action.
Feb always has a bumper crop of big names returning, and this year didn't disappoint with new records hitting shelves and the digital databases of online music emporiums by Beck, Wild Beasts and St Vincent, not to mention Katy B who was everywhere in the British press this month, charming the pants off of journalists by doing little more than being a sweet, polite and honest human being, who happens to make music which is rather good (her LP got a very respectable 7/10 review from Marc Burrows, here).
Away from the big names (relatively speaking), the DiS editorial team were loving records by ††† (aka Crosses, featuring Chino Moreno from Deftones), Marissa Nadler (pictured, above.) and there was a surprise 9/10 review of the new album from Augustines (definitely one to check out if you like the chunkier side of The National). Meanwhile, our community wouldn't stop saying how much they love quite a few records, including newies from Angel Olsen, Mark McGuire and Sun Kil Moon. Join in the album of the month discussion on our forum, and share your favourite, here. Plus electro dream-duo Phantogram's new record came out stateside, however us Brits need to wait until May for it come out here via Island Records.
This month's playlist then has a helluva lot on it from albums out this month, plus we've included some picks from Rob's weekly singles rundown.
This playlist is also available on RDIO.
Tracklisting:
Phantogram – Nothing But Trouble Crosses (†††) – Blk Stallion EMA – Satellites - HD Xiu Xiu – Stupid in the Dark Thumpers – Galore Prince & 3rdEyeGirl – Pretzelbodylogic Beck – Heart Is A Drum Marissa Nadler – Firecrackers Sun Kil Moon – I Can't Live Without My Mother's Love Mark McGuire – In Search of the Miraculous Courtney Barnett – Avant Gardener Angel Olsen – Lights Out Katy B – Crying for No Reason Augustines – Kid You're On Your Own SUNN O))) & Ulver – Western Horn Tara Jane O'Neil – Wordless in Woods Wild Beasts – Sweet Spot Woman's Hour – I Need You Sky Ferreira – You’re Not The One Katy Perry – Dark Horse Planningtorock – All Love's Legal St. Vincent – Huey Newton Cut Copy – We Are Explorers Death Vessel feat. Jónsi – Ilsa Drown
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What was your album of the month? Share your February LP pick and vote in our community poll, here
Pssssst! If you want to subscribe to the March playlist as it takes shape, click-clack your mouse here. Coming up next month are new albums by Liars, Metronomy, Sisyphus (new project from Sufjan Stevens & Son Lux), Elbow, Pharrell, and piano genius Hauschka.