Microshift

This is sort of okay - I would like to know why this belongs in the book before many other 2018 releases.

2.11. Another mediocre British band like this list doesn't have enough already.

Pretty terrible, but one of the band is seemingly a pretty terrible person. I only checked the wiki link to see why I hadn't heard of them, given when and where they were active, but it turns out they have been pretty comprehensively scrubbed from the records - but not the book! Losing them is no great loss though - late period landfill electro-indie is not my idea of a good time

Such a middle of the road album. definitely nowhere near the best album of 2018. Why is there so many meh albums from British bands on this list?

That was pretty cool. Inhaber missed the record when it came out and i really liked it after the first songs. Good work!

3.5/5. Was pleasantly surprised by this one, they were on Domino Records which is a pretty reliable label in terms of quality. They also broke up because one of the members had SA allegations thrown against him, that obviously taints their image for me.

Gave it a 3 as this is the most average album I’ve had so far!! Not sure if this was the best of 2018 perhaps that was a bad year!!

Top!

Indie rock. A lot of nice tunes here. I enjoyed it.

This was a pleasant surprise! In the first few seconds I was worried I was in for a long album, but it flew by in a good way. 4/5

I was fine I guess but there was so much good stuff that came out in 2018 how is this what's on the list? Has anyone even heard of these guys?

All the ingredients were right for this but it just went nowhere. Infuriatingly droney and boring.

Probably 3.5★? Enjoyed this a lot, but less so on relistens.

It's pretty good. Not spectacular but it was a decent enough listen. Surprised me a bit in a good way.

White boy critics love this. It’s safe, it’s predictable but you can look down on the noobs who like Elton, or Billy Joel, or Celine Dion or Taylor swift. I’d grown tired of this stuff by 2003 or so. This adds nothing to music, musical knowledge or technique or songwriting. Shortcomings was ok. The rest was … blergh. 1 star

In a sentence, soundtracky mood synth music with ambience and a techno vibe growing as the album builds - it feels like its going to getting trippy but then it crashes badly, merges expectedly with other styles. Obscure territory here folks. Occasional faint tinges of Pet Shop , New Order, and straight out copy of Chemical Brothers going on ... gets spacey and neo psychadelic but a FAIL by the 2nd last track due to nauxious screachigng sounds, after all that foreplay! I am not sure of the pedigree impact and value of this album - despite this being precisely my kind of genre... apparently these guys do good live when the room is already high BUT - If you want a solid intro to more 'intelligent' and playful guided trippy trance or just great beats for walking in nature to fun techno, I can think of no better starting place that "knowoneness" by ELECTRIC SKYCHURCH. Here is what i was gonna say until the bad track. What is it? What does it do? Well, its might be what you listen to Eyes closed. Or, staring at a soothing blank smooth view, with a seagull in view; a solitary seagull, to look back at you, as you both figure out what the hell is going on today, and how to respond. At best this might be stylish mood music to play while you figure who is the beast really in the film "The Beast (2023)" Original title: La bête . 2023. 2h 26m There are playful electronic bloops and harmonies forming in "each time we pass' so they are capable of a lightness which feels like New Order at times. Left wondering - What is this?

Well the band’s wiki site reads like a melodrama. This is a band I have definitely never heard of. However I found this album to be quite enjoyable. The synths are prominent &, for once, I don’t mind. The music is so varied. They don’t stick to any particular road - they’re all over the place. Wiki describes them as a neo-psychedelic band. Whatever, I enjoyed it.

Oh my god, this anonymous, anodyne and featureless band is the absolute definition of inessential listening. Somehow less than the sum of its influences (krautrock, early 2000s indie, mild psychedelia, dance, New Order), it seems custom designed to play well in an afternoon slot on the mid-sized summer festival circuit. But there is surely nothing memorable here. 2.5 stars being so aggressively "mid", rounded down.

don't you just hate it when you find music that is a real breath of fresh air, but then the band members just have to turn out to be complete shitheads?

This album went way over my head. If there is art to it, it passed me by like a ship in the night

Groovy confluence of indie, electronic, and ambient. Reminded me a lot of some of the midi electronic indie of the 2000s in a good way. Also, the transitions on this album are pretty stellar, very atmospheric.

My first time listening to Microshift, but this was fantastic. A swirl of pop, dream pop, indie, and electronic influence.

Just yawn. Nothing stands out in this. It's wild that this is an actual selection, but given the British bias I should stop being surprised

Honestly quite boring. Not really culturally relevant or even anything that new stylistically. Not sure why this is supposed to be considered "essential".

Album was sick

Boring

Meh , wasn’t my cup of tea

Underwhelming

Decent - enjoyable listen

Only managed to listen once and sounds alright. Needs further listens.

Fairly average and dramatically unessential synthpop with some krautrock undertones. At least it's not another Morrissey album.

Pretty good electronic psych rock album, but I really don't get how it's supposed to appear on this list. At this point, many more albums made a much bigger impression in the psychedelic rock universe : King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Thee Oh Sees... Hell, even Tame Impala isn't on this list. Are you guys just adding album that won a prize? Because time proves that a prize doesn't make an album a cult one. Just hire somebody else to update the book if you can't keep up.

Sadly, they forgot to put "hooks" in their Hookworms music. This is a well made album... and that's it.

not bad not exciting

Interesting album, can't quite figure out the vibe its going for but it switches between rock/shoegaze/krautrock.

Pix was right sounded like Depeche mode ..with some Inxs ripoff too. Annoying, glad it's over.

Sounds like James Addiction meets Depeche Mode. Hookworm is a band I’ve never heard of but this album was fun to explore. Is it worthy of being on the list? No. But it isn’t miserable.

A bit weird for me. Not dreadful, just not really my thing and didn't really speak to me.

Of course the only track I cared for would be the last one called Shortcomings

There's a lot of interesting elements going on here. I think it's a really good synthesis of a lot of bands that came before them in the late 2000's to early 2010's. I can hear some Foster the People, The Strokes, Passion Pit, Two Door Cinema Club and others in this. I think while this is a really good stamp on what a lot of music coming out around that time sounded like, I don't know if there's anything revolutionary in this. I think an album like this can go so far rating wise despite how much I enjoyed it.

I walked into this album assuming I’d hate it based on the description. Modern psychedelic indie rock is very much not my jam, traditionally. But, strangely, synthy space age indie rock very much is my jam! It has a handful of casual hiccups, don’t get me wrong. It can sometimes be a bit too sparse, like “The Soft Season” or “Each Time We Pass” And sometimes it doesn’t tie up neatly enough, like “Boxing Day.” Overall, Side B is a much weaker offering than Side A, as that side has a lot more stop-start energy, but I think to say o prefer one over the other is also splitting hairs when overall, I liked it all. It’s a stronger listen front-to-back than it is with each track heard on their own, sure, but this isn’t an album I’d normally listen to track-by-track. It works as a single-sitting flowstate album, which fits with its vision and themes. I don’t know if it’s the most essential album of the last 10 years, but I’m really glad this challenge brought it to my attention. It’s a very solid modern take on this sound, and I think it’ll age like fine wine over the next decade.

First time hearing Hookworms and I like it!

Loved it

This album started off decent enough with Static Resistance and Ullswater as songs standing out for me. But then it seem to turn into too much dance pop music and some too long sings. It wasn't terrible, but nothing seemed to grab my attention until Boxing Day and that was the shortest song off the album. Btw, only 197 days until Boxing day for all you Canadiens out there. And only about 8-9 more days until Canada goes another year without a Stanley Cup winner. Overall, the album was ok. Nothing great, but it was a decent listen. While I let the genre play out at the end of the album, I heard another song by these guys, sung by the girl singer, called The Impasse. This was an in your face, punk kinda song. Think I would have enjoyed whatever album that was, more than this but here we are. Just ok for me here. I'll go with a 3.

2.5 The most definitive thing I can say about this is that it’s certainly a 2010s indie pop album. Beyond that, I got nothing - this honestly is one of the most unremarkable listens I’ve had so far, and I’m walking away with little to no feelings towards it. Like, by no means is this bad, but it also did absolutely nothing for me. And I actually listened to this thing like four or five times in an earnest effort to appreciate something about it, but sitting here now, still nothing comes to mind. Okay, I have one thing - Boxing Day sounds a bit like Joy Division and was probably my favorite song for that reason, but still, it’s like a third-rate Joy Division song at best. Also, the weird cutoff at the end is more annoying than it is creative and caused me to check my phone the first few times to make sure I didn’t get interrupted by a phone call or somehow accidentally skip ahead. TL;DR - meh. Not sure why this is here.

Honestly pretty good, although a few tracks kind of pulled me out of the flow of the album. Favorite track is probably "Opener."

I had this as my 23rd favorite album of 2018, and since then I’ve revisited it a few times and would have it rated higher since then. It’s an album that starts off as a 5 star album and probably finishes as a 3 star. I remember thinking that this band has tremendous potential, and this album was a near masterpiece. Unfortunately the band will be remembered for the alleged sexual abuses by the singer, an anonymous dude named L. Its a shame and the band has broken up, they had a unique sound that had potential for some great projects.

Sweet little art rocky post punky album with electronic bits. Cool

Very strange and different. But not horrible. Nothing really jumped out at me as being great or terrible. Had it as background music.

Well that was a bit of pretentious non-event. Nothing terrible but nothing groundbreaking

I had never heard this one before. Enjoyable throughout.

Listened Before? N A surprising album. I've never heard of them before, but apparently they made 4 albums in their group's lifetime with this being the final. Its a great chill record with lots of synth influences from the 80s. I really enjoyed it and may check out some of their other stuff. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Opener

You know what? I lived in Leeds 2013 - 2020, was vaguely involved in the alt electro scene… and I’ve never fucking heard of Hookworms! It’s probably a 3 star album, but I feel like people were doing kind of thing 5 years earlier. For the books selection, the people’s backstory and being a bit behind the curve I’m knocking it dow to a 2.

ick

??? (Pretty decent actually)

I liked this.. more experimental than I expected

I am highly disappointed with this album, and I'm unsure as to why. I know nothing of the band, the music inside, or even why it had a mini-Renaissance as something popular enough to make the rounds, but there was some part of me that was intrigued by that elusiveness, and wanted to see what this was all about. So, finding out it's a half-baked, very commercial impression of indie acts from the 2010s such as MGMT, Tame Impala, and any other act you may hear in a hybrid car commercial was really a bummer. The real crime here is that it sounds like it was made purely to be commercial, rather than just finding unexpected success, and that rubs me the wrong way. There are glimmers of something promising, as they have decent build-ups that promise something greater, and even a few tracks here worth checking out, but once you hit the six-minute mark and nothing of great importance has happened still, or you've sifted through thirty minutes of songs to find that one track, you tend to just feel there a tad defeated. It is completely competent music making, and I feel the mix of LCD Soundsystem and Can is an intriguing one, but it rarely works here. If anything, the standout to me was the short interlude Boxing Day because it is unlike anything else on the album. It's loud, it's quick, and it stops in the middle of its build-up to go fuck off somewhere else, and I really appreciate that, because it defies every expectation so far. I can see this being a lot of people's cup of tea, just because it is so accessible due to its bubbly, sugar-coated take on psych-rock, but acts like Stereolab were doing that exact style twenty years earlier, and they did it far better. Again, technically good, but I wanted more.

Didn't love it, didn't hate it

"Microshift" by Hookworms is an exhilarating ride through a rich, sonic landscape that marks a notable evolution for the band. Released in 2018, this album sees the band moving away from their noise-rock roots towards a more polished, electronic-infused sound, without losing the raw energy and intensity that defines their music. Tracks like "Negative Space" and "Ullswater" stand out with their propulsive beats and immersive synth layers, creating an atmosphere that's both expansive and intimate. The lyrics, often exploring themes of personal and societal upheaval, are delivered with a fervor that resonates deeply, adding emotional weight to the swirling instrumentals. The production on "Microshift" is meticulous, each track carefully crafted to build and release tension in a way that keeps the listener engaged from start to finish. The band's ability to blend electronic elements with their traditional rock foundation results in a sound that's refreshingly innovative yet familiar. While some might miss the rawer edge of their earlier work, the shift in style showcases Hookworms' versatility and willingness to experiment. "Microshift" is a compelling album that demonstrates significant growth and creativity, earning it a well-deserved 4 out of 5.

I was fully prepared to hate this and I didn’t. Not sure it was an album I needed to hear before I died, but it’s not terrible. It’s also not special either.

it was all very good and washed over me and flowed pleasantly but i can't lie by the halfway mark i was itching for some variety in the sounds i was hearing & it became very hard to not skip the 2nd half of every song

Not my cup of tea

3.5

Never heard of the band, don’t think I’ve heard any of their songs. No expectations going in. This was cool. Each track really seems to build on itself as it progresses. There’s layer upon layer until it peaks. And that’s cool because a lot of bands get right to the hook. Not this band. They take their time. To the point where some of the longer tracks are almost too long. They teeter on the edge of overstaying their welcome, but they don’t. The sound is also cool, combining elements of 60’s and 70’s rock with modern sensibilities and production. Space rock feels, and some psychedelia thrown in. This was a vibe for sure. Overall I liked it but didn’t love it. Would give it a second listen and could easily see it growing on me. But for now, 3 stars. Standout tracks: Negative Space, Static Resistance, Ullswater, Shortcomings

Rob's modern picks are mostly shit, this included.

Blah. Copy and paste electro psychedelia with all the heart of a refrigerator. Masking the fundamentally dull songs with bleeps and swirls maybe distracts for a song or two. 'Static Resistance' sounds like that muh-muh-muh-my moustache song by Sparks - were it devoid of any wit, charm or energy.

(Track 1) hey they got the mainspring from Clock Cleaners (the Mickey Mouse cartoon from 1937) to sing on this track Settles into a more abstract place about halfway through, but I was pretty psyched by this album. Whenever I get a slice of 21st century psychedelia, my brain automatically sizes it up to MGMT, but the parallels to Neu! & Jason Pierce from the Guardian review are equally relevant. HL: \"Negative Space\", \"Static Resistance\", \"Ullswater\", \"Opener\", \"Each Time We Pass\" May 10, 2024

Fine. Nothing jumped out at me as being exceptional.

This was new to me, and it was pretty good! Got a little nervous when the album was described as electronica, but it’s more electronic elements mixed with garage rock revival. Much more my style. That said, there are some songs where it feels the embellishments are there because there’s not really a song. Still, a good time.

This was fine. I’ve had a complicated relationship with electronica during this project, but I think I’ve found that I’m OK with actual songs with electronica backing (Bjork). I didn’t hate this, but it had very little impact on me. So, little in fact that I was listening to this on my earbuds while cleaning the kitchen and almost asked Alexa to play something until I remembered I already was.

This album goes.

Negative Space:10/10 ThIs Is A BOP!!!!!🔥🔥 Static Resistance:14.5/10 ABSOLUTE BOOOOOOPPPP!!!!!!!!! Ullswater: 16/10 BANGER RIFF AAAAND TIME SIGNATURE!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Soft Season:4.7/10 Just ambiance and vocals....no drums???? Opener:18.8/10 Very mellow track.This should be the Opener to the Album. Each Time We Pass:13.7/10 Can definitely vibe to this. Boxing Day:8/10 W TRANSITION🔥🔥🔥 This sound so weird... Reunion:20.5/10 This is the best song on the album the band. Shortcomings:20/10 THIS IS A VIBE!!!!!!!!

Neo-psychedelia, space rock, noise rock, drone rock. Muy chulo. Un poco Claps your hands and say heah, pero con más guitarra.

Wanted to hate it—thought I would from the unbelievably long intros to the first song and to “Opening”, but it wasn’t terrible. If this had been a band I saw at some bar, I’d say “Hey, they’re not bad,” but they also aren’t that good. Who chooses this list, I’ll never know? In the end, meh. I may give up on this app and just ask people I know what albums they love.

Very generic indie pop. Not much to say about it. Totally fine.

Why?

spacey indie that will probably get better the more you listen

I remember hearing Static Resistance on the radio for the first time in the car, and really enjoying it, then getting onto the album. Listened to it a lot for a few weeks, and then totally forgot about it. Anyway, I was extremely pleased to have it back in my life. I listened to it running, and it is about as good a running album as you can get. Really well paced, very propulsive and just generally very good indeed.

Trippy

I have read the reviews before listening to this album... it was foolish. This album wasn't that bad. I actually liked most of these songs. Nothing special, but it wasn't as bad as I have expected it to be. Worth giving it a try

Music was aight - front man is a beast and I don’t know how to give something 0

I don't like being overly negative, but this album just didn't do it for me. Some of the tracks were really interesting in parts I'll give them that. I just felt it sounded like songs for a fictional band in a coming of age movie or something idk. Just slightly below average. 4/10

interesting

Good background music for work.

Better than a 3 stars but slightly lower than a 4. The Soft Season and Reunion are not that good. Every thing is catchy and enjoyable. 3.5

3.5

Catchy 3.5

Gear: Focal Clear Mix: drückt an den richtigen Stellen Musik: nun wirklich nichts Besonderes Wertung: 🪱🪱/5

I'm a big fan of electronic music, 'Berlin School', this is just lame. It's not going on my turntable. No, it's going straight into the bin of musical failures. It doesn't even get a 'Micro Star'!

It's albums like this why I love the generator. Who the fuck are Hookworms? A 2018 album is essential listening? And I've never heard it? Well fuck all that, regardless of who made it or when this came out, this album is fucking fantastic. Hookworms magnum opus, so obviously they haven't made another since. No way to top this masterpiece

is this anyone’s favorite album?

Pleasantly surprised!

I enjoyed the flow from one track to the next. Sure, the albums inclusion is a little weird, but the fact I came away wanting to listen to some of this again isn't just the result of some lame marketing stunt, there's plenty of musicians I've become more opposed to as a result of this experience.

It's ok. Gets a bit repetitive. Possibly more of a 3.5, but not a 4

I mean it's good but top 1001 albums before I die? I don't think so...

I thought this was great and am glad I was introduced to it. Listened through twice and will go back to it in future.

at first i didnt think much of this, but i had spotify on repeat and after three listens i really like it. Maybe its just Stockholm syndrome, but maybe this is just a really unique band with a really fresh sound?

This was unbelievably cool

Really, really dug this album. It's like Devo had a baby with Tame Impala. Gimme.

2.5 rounded up

A new-ish album I've actually heard! Not sure if anything quite matches the cynical energy of the first track, but they've got a unique sound and the tunes are there.

It's okay. I wish I could understand the singer. Instrumentals are good.

Yeah I’d never heard of this band either and I’m not in love with all the unknown Britpicks on this list. This one though I feel is a legitimately good indie album with energy, creativity and variety. I enjoyed the first three tracks in particular with Ullswater being my favorite

Like hot chip but not as good

Im definitely all for separating the art and the artist, but it does make it less enjoyable. Fun album for sure! Had never heard of it so pretty exciting to find something fun, but don’t think I’ll continue listening.

It's good to hear a recent album that has substance, a great sound and songs and is a pleasure to listen to. I don't know whether it will stand up against time but it's one of the best post 2000 albums in this project so far.

This was a pretty cool album! Kind of Tame Impala vibes, I liked the instrumental layering

This would be a good album to listen to when smoking. I think tame impala does this style of music better but still enjoyable

Not a bad listen. Beta Band vibes, but wasn’t something I’d listen to again. 3/5

Great album, not quite sure why on the list but thoroughly enjoyed either way

Some ok tracks and sounds but nothing much here either. 1.5 rounding up.

Hadn't heard them before. I like the electronic vibe to it. Sounds different than other generic BritPop

Fine for a background listen - doesn't seem like any great inspiration behind it, and based on a quick lookup maybe certain members of the band were distracted by troublesome diversions.

New to me, now I'm happy my time with it has concluded so this album can be new to somebody else.

First few songs were 4's and 5's. Others were 1's and 2's. Where does that leave us? Avg 2.4. Around down to 2.

Synth punks. I could have been convinced to drop a 4 on these guys, but these songs really didnt need to be 6,7,8 minutes long. Lets get in and out in 3, boys.

Space rock. Ni fu ni fa.

Neo-psychedelia, space rock, noise rock, drone rock. Muy chulo. Un poco Claps your hands and say heah, pero con más guitarra.

2/5. I'm not sure why this album was included. Nothing about it was unique or interesting, nor did it have any impact on the music scene.

This music is creepy and weird. It's fine but creepy and weird Theres nothing wrong with it but toward the end my anxiety spiked and I had to turn it off. Giving it a 2 stars because maybe I'm having a bad day.

There is potential, but here, it spaces out and floats away to mediocrity.

I enjoyed this. The first track is a belter! Surprised I've not come across them before. Tails off later though.

Yet another modern pick that is very inessential - this was absolutely inoffensive but why this one out of all the records from 2018?

A tale as old as my experience with this list: Strong first half, underwhelming second half. Album would be a lot better if the lengthy songs were tighter and there weren’t so many synths interludes that barely added anything. Top tracks: Negative Space, Static Resistance, Ullswater

It’s fun and weird, but very early 2010s. Not great, but I liked it too much for a 3

Another good-not-great UK album is selected by an English editor. I listened and enjoyed but it's hard to see this approaching 'essential.'

Synth heavy, melodically, rhythmically, and lyrically uninteresting.

Pretty solid neo-psychedelia with krautrock vibes. I could probably come back to this, 3.5 for now (with some room to grow probably).

1. Not interested

I didnt know this one, was awesome!

Pleasant listen.

Only heard first track.

This is really boring and not innovative at all. Remove from list 2

honestly i kind of liked this i didnt save every song and some of the influences (such as tame impala) were very obvious but i reaaaaallly liked a few tracks. the opening track negative space felt as if it was underwater it was something i really liked however the next song was almost exactly the same so i was like meh idk the soft season and opener together worked really well, the first is probably my fav song from this album instrumental track reunion was really good and shortcomings had some very fun instrumentation i felt like i could listen to on a car ride home overall not as bad as i thought it was gonna be + unrelated but the album cover is rlly pretty :-)

Ахуенный набор звуков. Я, как фанат какофонии, одобряю

Oh well. Take one third of Neu!, one third of Hot Chip, and one third of Arcade Fire, and you get this album. Not so bad, thanks to the ingredients. But quality-wise and intensity-wise, the whole things leans harder towards Hot Chip territory than to Neu! soundscapes, quite unfortunately. Motorik is quite a tricky genre to handle : if you do not develop your songs long enough, they may come off as half-baked and not mesmerizing enough ; but if they go on for too long without the properly controlled, "less-is-more" dynamics, they will wear out their hypnotic welcome quicker than intended. Hookworms chose the second option. Wish they could have found a more convincing middle-ground here. To focus on the positive side of things, the first five tracks are pretty good overall, in spite of how unnecessary long three of them are. The synth bass *hooks* (ha ha) and other digital tidbits are what sustains your attention, and the vocal parts, harmonies and chord changes are somewhat enticing, even if they don't always gel well with the relentless grooves behind them. Maybe taking out and then re-adding some of the instrumental layers at some critical points of the recording / mixing process might have made those tunes sound way better. Because, as they are now, the daunting "blocks" those songs are made of *never* build up to any clear, impressive climax. Which is, obviously, a missed opportunity. Besides, the second part of the album is quite a borefest. It explores ideas that may remind you of other, more famous acts (good ones like Animal Collective, or slightly overrated ones such as Tame Impala). Yet those ideas are never transcended into something that would feel personal or heartfelt. "Cold" music can be invigorating sometimes. But Hookworms's music was more akin to "medium-temperature". And this not in the sense of "cool" or "warm", mind you. Browsing through the web, I've learned more about the band's incredibly harsh "curse" during its short life, which prevented them to reach the ambitions they probably aimed at on a commercial and artistic viewpoint (apart from a few glowing reviews in prominent British music sites and magazines at the time, plus this slot on the 1001 Albums project). There were not one but *two* flooded studios owned by people from the band, loss of gear and recordings, deaths in the their entourage, long depressive phases for their singer... Under that light, it feels like the sexual and psychological abuse allegations against Hookworms' frontman, which effectively ended the band's trajectory--allegations stated by a third party, and never investigated by a court of law anyway--come off as one of those rare cases where such events could have stemmed from "grey areas", involving protagonists who were both ill-equiped to deal with each other. Of course, no one will really know for sure. That third party recanted her initial accusations, wishing good luck to "MJ" for the rest of his career as a musician (good luck with that indeed, lol!). And in return, the singer ended his legal action to ask reparations for libel and defamation. Out of court, out of sight. Case closed, if not solved. One of the band members, Sam Shjipstone, found a way to bounce back, however. Indeed he is now a member of Yard Act, and they're surely at the top of the hype machine these days, somewhere in between post-punk / indie-"rock" and post-disco. And the man also plays with other former Hookworms alumni in Holodrum--this time more disco than post-punk or motorik, and surely less interesting than the band they're all from. Wherever "MJ" is now, one can surely imagine how bitter he must feel about all this... All of this might be instructing to a degree, but we're getting away from what to do with *Microshift*'s inclusion in this list. Yet this whole music-business-related soap opera could actually bring us to other considerations that are far more relevant for this 1001 Albums project. Maybe indeed the lesson to learn here is that selecting this recent, decent-yet-not-"stellar" record--which will most probably be "erased" in subsequent editions of the book anyway--was not such a good idea after all. And this even before that whole abuse allegation thing. Actually, the more I think about it, the more I feel like including albums from the last ten years or so is a little vain. I didn't think this at all when I started this project two years ago. But now I think you need time to accomplish its good work on those potential candidates for "essential" records--you need to wait a little to see if they age that well, both for their music, or for the circumstances that surround them, or for what they mean for "culture" overall. And you need time to separate the whiff from the chaff. Don't get me wrong, there are albums from the last ten years or so I *do* feel strongly about. But everyone using this app does, and given that "monoculture" is a dead and buried thing, no "immediate" consensus can be found when it comes to *today*'s essential albums. When I see the records from 2018 singled out by a couple of reviewers here, it makes me want to laugh. But if they saw my own selection, they would prabably roll on the floor with laughter as well. That death of the "monoculture" might be a sad state of affair for some, and a good news for others. But it is what it is. Still giving *Microshift* a grade, though: 2.5/5 for the purposes of this list, rounded up to 3. It may sound severe, but bear in mind that if I translate this grade for more "general" purposes, following my usual method automatically adding 5 points to that first grade, the end result for this record is 7.5/10 (2.5 + 5). Not so bad, huh? Number of albums left to review: 261 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 323 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 184 Albums from the list I won't include in mine (many other records are more important to me): 238 (including this one) End note (a long one): I thought about what I said about the end of *monoculture" in my review. To give you a precise example of what I meant, here is a list of my 50 favourite albums from 2018, right after this end note. Surely some of my choices could look "weird" for different stripes of listeners out there. But maybe indeed, some of those choices make more sense than *Microshift* to some of you Whatever the case may be, don't hesitate to click on the "like" button if that list speaks to your soul. But you can also click that "like" button if it doesn't, actually. 😆 By doing this, you would signal to me that you agree with my overall point--that there is no such thing as a "monoculture" now, and that all of us are little Robert Dimerys desperately trying to make sense out of the information overload out there. Hope I haven't added too much to that overload in my lengthy review, and that at least parts of the latter were interesting or instructive for you. So here's the list (number 1 to 50). Take care, y'all. Low - Double Negative Shame - Songs Of Praise IDLES - Joy As An Act Of Resistance  Young Fathers - Cocoa Sugar Daughters - You Won't Get What You Want The Armed - Only Love Parquet Courts - Wide Awaaaaake! Ty Segall -  Freedom's Goblin The Breeders - All Nerve Beak> - >>> Say Sue Me - Where We Were Together Suuns - Felt Tropical Fuck Storm - A Laughing Death In Meatspace Beach House - 7 Kids See Ghosts - Kids See Ghosts  Amen Dunes - Freedom No Age - Snares Like A Haircut Adrianne Lenker - Abysskiss Superchunk - What A Time To Be Alive Stephen Malkmus And The Jicks - Sparkle Hard Ty Segall - Ty Segall 21Savage / Metro Boomin - Without Warning. Caroline Rose - LONER Litovsk - Dispossessed Nils Frahm - All Melody Car Seat Headrest - Twin Fantasy (Face To Face) Cardi B - Invasion Of Privacy  SOPHIE - Oil Of Every Pearl's Un-Inside  Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever - Hopes Down Denzel Curry - TA1300  Beechwood - Songs From The Land Of Nod Pusha T - Daytona Mac Miller - Swimming Travis Scott - Astroworld xxx tentacion - ?  JPEGMAFIA - Veteran Preoccupations - New Material  Hot Snakes - Jericho Sirens The Soft Moon - Criminal J Cole - KOD Birds in Row - We Already Lost the World Cloud Nothings - Last Building Burning Deeper - Deeper Nas - Nasir  Superorganism - Superorganism Mount Eerie - Now Only Navy Gangs - Poach Yo La Tengo - There's A Riot Going On Anna Von Hausswolf - Dead Magic Mitski - Be the Cowboy

Unremarkable, como dicen los amigos gringos.

Meh

Niet wat ik had verwacht! Het is veel futuristischer en niet een recht toe recht aan rock album, ik ben best wel positief verrast! Vooral de langere nummers vind ik heel vet met Ullswater en Opener die echt een soort reis zijn als het ware. Daar staat een hoop standaard rock tegenover, maar de meer psychedelische nummers zijn heel erg vet! ] FAVO: Ullswater, Opener, Shortcomings

nära en femma. det här är bra

mediocre synthpop. has all the right ingredients but manages to make it awkward anyways

generic

Reminder me of the late 89s techno

Difficult album to rate. Very specific style, songs with a constant beat throughout, building on it to better or worse results. Quite good vocal, but otherwise a very much hit or miss. I wasn't entirely convinced by it though, so I will give it a three for today and then grab it again someday to give it another go.

faltou coesão? falando assim me sinto avaliando uma redação hahaha pontualmente jovem e edgy, mas o conjunto ultrapassou barreiras de bom gosto musical e não deu certo. seria um 2,5, de novo a falta de décimos...

É, bit noisy sometimes. Tiveram bons momentos. Não é um 4, nem um 3... 3,5/5

The music itself wasn't bad. However, once the singing started it was not good. The lyrics were bad. I have no desire to listen again.

I think I need to re listen to this with some HiFi headphones. This seemed really interesting but I feel like I missed a lot of the point

Well this is certainly an album by a band. It was fine but I don't really get the inclusion on this list. Apparently the keyboardist was some hot shit indie producer in the UK and this album came out after a long break and was a reset in their sound... then they broke up almost immediately because the lead singer was abusive. I get taking shots on new music for lists like this. This one didn't pan out.

I could live a thousand lives and if I never heard this I don't think I'd be any worse off

It was aight some good ones

Pleasant surprise until I googled the band… it’s hard to disentangle the accusations from the music (and should I?). The first song made me worried I was going to hate this but when we got harmonization and unique cadence and rhythm in the songs, I really liked it. I would say it’s a 3.5 but I’m rounding down for the other reasons…

Interesting. Revisit.

Hadn’t heard of the band before, after the first 30 seconds of the first song I thought we were headed to 1-star territory but it totally redeemed itself the more I listened. Had the stereo turned all the way up, might keep it on rotation in the car for the weekend. 3.0 on the nose.

3.5 I liked this entry. There wasnt a bad song on the album but it didnt have any absolute burners either.

i had never heard of this before. its great!

dakle ovaj popis ima neke tak random albume i bendove ne kuzim, al dobar je svida mi se al nis spesl kopija arcade fire

Ok je al ak ne bude neki Slayer ubrzo poludit cu od ovih albuma

I really enjoyed this album but I'm not sure it is one to listen to before I die although I obviously have

Firstly, Hookworms is a terrible band name. From one angle it grosses you out, from the other it's only a very mildly amusing pun. Anyway, reading the reviews I thought this wasn't going to be very good, but there was loads to enjoy! Driving beats and, true to their name, lots of nice electro hooks. Sorry Americans, there may well be too much British stuff on this list, but I think this deserved a place.

Awesome. 4.3

Not sure if it's saying much, but I'd rather listen to this than have a hookworm infection. I've listened to the album 3 times now, and each time it feels like I'm listening to it for the first time. That's how unmemorable these songs are. 2 mehs out of 5 😑😑

I like LCD, I like HotChip - I like this enough to add it to my 'give it a listen' rotation. Never heard of them

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Nice sound

Worse Hot Chip, basically. Only the first song was all that worthwhile, and also 2018's a bit late anyway to be doing electric indie pop and still have it sound fresh. Fun album art, though! Reminds me of a geometry textbook

Nothing I'd seek out, but I didn't hate it.

Much better than I thought. Listened to this all the way through. Reminded me of Phoenix in a good way. Def would revisit this

This album got less weird as it went, until I actually started to like it. The spaces between songs sometimes sounded awkward or abrupt. More mellow than I’d expect an EDM album to be.

Indie landfill

quite like it

Some of this is really good, a lot of it is absolute guff

There's another techno album. It's greatest achievement is that it will be forgotten before I finish listening to the next selection.

3.3. Spoonish

Wavy Stereolab-oriented Kraut-Pop, pleasingly psychedlic, catchy, but also lacking innovative qualities; nearly only nice.

To me, sounded like EDM cut with angry lyrics…somebody might have it on their 1001 Album list, but not me

Microshift is one of the most recent albums I have come across in this challenge, and it was a really pleasant surprise. The sound feels modern and textured, but still melodic and accessible. There is a driving energy underneath it all, with layers of synths and guitars that create a slightly hypnotic atmosphere. It manages to feel fresh without being overly experimental for the sake of it. What I liked most is how immersive it is. The songs pull you in rather than hit you over the head, and the mood builds naturally across the album. It is the kind of record that benefits from repeat listens, and I will definitely be going back to it. Favourite song: A Short Distance Least favourite: None that stood out negatively Album artwork: Bold and distinctive. A striking cover that matches the modern feel of the music

I have a lot of predjudice towards newer rock artists due to it including some of the most uninspiring music out there. But this is awesome — a nice blend of noise, groove, catchy pop and krautrock. I didn´t think that was possible, but here we are.

More worms than hooks (nailed it)

Surprisingly good.

It's a very stereotypical 2010s indie rock triumphant sound mixed with emo vocals and droning synths reminiscent of Stereolab and forms of krautrock and post-rock. The production and garage revival-esque groove and fast pace also remind me of other modern indie bands like Arcade Fire who have executed these ideas much better. Then there's the dreamy bright harmonies and vocals that gives of Animal Collective or Tame Impala vibes. The most outstanding thing about this record is the coherency. The first 2 songs are standalone pieces, but then the track begin to flow into one another. Tracks 3-5 form one piece, tracks 6-7 another, and 8 and 9 also being standalone. I don't think there are any remarkable songs, but they all work together as a team marvelously, with a nice track ordering, long patient songs without too much going on, that makes it all quite accessible yet very intriguing as long as you're not honing too closely on any of them. Even though it is derivative and soulless, it's a vibe I like and can appreciate, especially when left in the background when going for a drive, studying, or staring at the stars. Favorites: Negative Space, Each Time We Pass, Shortcomings

What can I say I’m a sucker for 2010s indie rock and this one was no exception. Sometimes it felt like part of the social network score and sometimes it had a more mgmt vibe and sometimes it just had weird production choices. But I liked it pretty much all of the time I listened to it and especially enjoyed negative space opener and shortcomings.

Actually kind of banger no

On hyvä! 4/5

Trippy and fun soundscapes here. I’ve heard *of* these guys but never *heard* these guys. Some fun stuff throughout for sure. Almost like Porcupine Tree lite at moments.

Très intéressant et innovante. Super pour monter l'esprit. Bon chaussant pour faire le footing

Jamais entendu parler de ce groupe ! Très sceptique en écoutant le début de la 1ere chanson de l'album, je me demandais bien ce que j'allais écouter. Mais finalement bonne surprise, des morceaux pas mal.

This started off a little questionable but got better as it went along. I enjoyed it and could possibly bring it up to listen to again. Scale: 5 - My absolute favorites. 4 - Albums I like. 3 - It was ok to listen to but I wouldn't seek it out. 2 - Didn't like. 1 - Absolute shit.

Love this album! I used to listen to this quite a bit a couple years ago. Really good musicality and unique style. The urgency of "Boxing Day" and the way it cuts off abruptly is an interesting choice. 4/5

I really liked this Gave me lots of vibes from bands like tame impala, arcade fire, band of horses and really enjoyed listening to it 3.5-4

Actually really liked this for working

Surprisingly refreshing and creative. I enjoyed the electronic grooves and sounds of the album.

Really fun record. Not something I’m likely to come back to but really enjoyed it

Pretty solid but didn't really grab my attention too much. Might need another listen later

Ok

Nothing particularly interesting or noteworthy, 100% fine.

this was odd but i loved it. four stars only because i’m unsure of how likely i am to return to it frequently. but it was great.

beep boop

Not really too impressive and a dead band... this should not be on the list, but whatever...

Ehhhhhhh

Well made, but didn't really enjoy a whole lot from this album

One more band I've never new anything about before. Enjoyed the album. Kraftwerk-esque intro was nice.

Enjoyed it, with some good songs, but not essential.

After a bit, the singer reminded me of Big Audio Dynamite. I wasn't sure where this was going band was going. The songs seemed to have a lot of different influences (which isn't a bad thing). Again, I hesitate on a band that released an album so recently as the album I have to listen to before I die. Really? 8 thousand listeners on Spotify? Who _are_ these guys that they warrant such a coveted spot on the list? All in all, it was okay, but I didn't get what made it so significant to put it on the list.

I didn't mind this band or album but I wasn't blown away. I'll tell you though that Public Service Broadcasting, a band that came up several times on random listen after this album was done, did blow me away. Similar genre but that band and at least one of its albums deserves to be on this list. I think my problem with Hookworms is they can't hold up for a whole album. This album starts off great. Negative Space has a sort of Kraftwerk feel to open and it's got a nice electronic or spacey rock groove throughout. Static Resistance has a more modern alt rock feel (rivaling Arcade Fire) and it's even better than the opener. And then Ullswater has such a great opening synth rock riff (reminds me of the Decemberists) that carries into the rest of the song - it might be my favorite track. It also nicely segues into The Soft Season but that's about where it turns for me. I felt the rest of the song droned on and while it seamlessly segues into Opener, that also droned on - both literally (given the synth) and figuratively (given the long, boring first 3.5 minutes). I found the rest of the album repetitive or a little plain. Again, I didn't mind it but it started off so well and then ended up a little meh. Better than a 3 but not a 4.

Shades of LCD Soundsystem, that being said, I’m hoping there will be some of their stuff on this list

Unremarkable songs and way too derivative to get anything more than 1 star.

It keeps going on in a rather dreadful way without hooks to hold on to.

Not my taste

first listen feels super indie for a psych record

Some sounded interesting. Some not.

I'd say that this is like an indie 2000s band but it's too similar to those experimental electronica albums of the late 70s that weren't good at all. This was just ok at best. 5/10.

Not too shabby. I thought it was going to be avant garde at first but it wasn’t - 8/10

Interesting choice by the 1001 Album Generator, especially since albums such as Playboi Carti's Die Lit were also released in the same year. The tracks on the album sounded pretty good for the most part, but somewhat familiar to other indie/alternative bands out there. I was not a fan of so many long songs, and I liked the first half more than the second.

Not a huge fan but don’t think the music is bad per se, just not something I see myself listening to — im not big on the whole techno electric thing but I think it’s executed well enough 5.5/10

Pretty good! Fun to have a modern one. Reminded me of that childish gambino album with the all white album cover, which I really liked initially but the novelty kind of wore off on multiple listens. 7/10

9/10 - I quite liked this album. Everything but Boxing Day I thought was fresh and interesting. Some of the transitions were so smooth between songs. Its interesting to see how this is the newest album we have listened to so far and it is still kinda old timey but I can hear the more modern aspects.

Kinda weird but I didn’t mind it, wouldnt choose to listen again though 6.5/10

Nothing super crazy or special here, but I enjoyed listening 7.5/10

I really liked this album. I’ve seen some criticism because who the hell are these guys and why are they included in the 1001 albums to hear before you die? But I came to this site to be turned on to new music. So while I agree it’s odd to have this album on here I still enjoyed it.

It was a decent listen. Nothing spectacular and nothing to write home about.

It sounded like a mix of Tame Impala and new order. Really liked it but wish some minutes were trimmed off the tracks. It became a bit laborious waiting for tracks to end. Rating: 3.7

Negative Space - 4 Static Resistance - 3 Ullswater - 4 The Soft Season - 3 Opener - 4 Each Time We Pass - 4 Boxing Day - 3 Reunión - 3 Shortcomings - 3

C+ Negative Space 3 Static Resistance 3 Ullswater 3 The Soft Season 3 Opener 3 Each Time We Pass 3 Boxing Day 3 Reunion 2 Shortcomings 3 This was underwhelming. I had high hopes for a modern, electronic, alternative album, but it was average.

It’s ok. Starts off a lot like Arcade Fire but then kind of circles the same sound over and over

Not going to listen to sexual abusers

Pretty solid psychedelic synthrock album. Vocals were pretty great and the part in the middle were they dropped out and the instrumentals got to take over for a solid section was really nice. Some of the early tracks were a bit boring and forgettable though, containing just boring rock chords and floaty vocals. The space Tron sounding stuff was the better parts of the album. Seems like a band that would be a lot of fun live.

Klingt erstmal stark nach Kraftwerk. Ist aber am Ende Indiepop mit viel Synthesizer, manchmal geht es ein bisschn in Richtung 80er. „Anonymous allegations of abuse by an unnamed woman that were reported by a third party against the band’s singer saw the dissolution of the Hookworms in 2018.“ Da hab ich doch schon keinen Bock mehr, das noch mal anzuhören!

Didn’t stick with me. There was nothing remarkable about it, but it wasn’t offensive.

Theres some cool stuff in here! Was it totally memorable though? Not rly

My favorite album I've listend to so far

Ew. I hate this album cover. We’re not off to a great start. That intro on the first track was rough, but I’m glad I stuck with it. This album got much better as it went on and wasn’t nearly as bad as I’d assumed based on this incredibly unappealing album cover. Very much a 2018 record.

Some of the selections on this list are positively mind boggling. Pedestrian shite!

Ca sonne un peu comme l’album de Justice, tsé l’album techno ultra granuleux? C’est ça mais en moins bon. Ps: J’aurais dû mettre un 5/5 à Justice, c’est trop d’la bombe cet album

This album was surprisingly not that bad. Just the right amount of indie electronic pop mix that I enjoy. It wasn’t anything too special and felt like an amalgamation of many previous modern albums this list but as an album from 2018 it was a good listen. Never heard of the hookworms before but this could be listened to again. 6.4/10

A cool blend of psychedelic space rock and electronics with good vocals and a propulsive groove. Love the organ, sounds very retro in a good way. Highly enjoyable.

Yeah interesting

Never heard this before, bit like Arcade Fire. Liked it a lot.

I had to give this a few goes. I was surprised if never heard of it. It seems like a bit of an obscure choice for this list. It was enjoyable to listen to, but I don't know if I'd go back to it. I liked the subsequent suggested tracks that listening to this on Spotify generated, too. 3.5 stars.

Every time I've tried to listen to this album I've been interrupted about halfway through. Today I've finally listened all the way! It's an interesting one, for all the reasons why I shouldn't like it, I did enjoy it. Good vibes.

Really fun

Although it gets a little too derivative of bands like Arcade Fire, LCD Soundsystem or Flaming Lips with a hint of Krautrock, this record is a LOT of fun. The way it plays with time signature changes on tracks like Ullswater keep your ear invested in a 7-minute long track. I wish more longer tracks would take this approach. If you had asked me to name the year this album came out, I'd say no later than 2010. It feels like a lost millennial gem, and that's not a bad thing. That said, this sound had its day in the sun, and I'm okay not having too many more out there.

I found most of this record engaging, and I was pleasantly reminded that I had a song or two saved in previous playlists, though I can’t say most of what’s here warrants regular rotation.

Not sure why this album is listed. It's not bad but there's nothing new or ground braking about it. If it was from the 80s or 90s I'd think differently but for a 2018 album it's very standard. I like the instrumental tracks more

At first it sucked, but then there are some good tracks here. I usually hate this kind of music.

Seguimos con los truños infumables.

weird and synth like

Yet more incredibly average Brit rock. It's totally fine, but I guarantee you that this isn't something most of us absolutely MUST hear before we die.

Cancel 🫤

за синты ставлю жирные 3 сразу. Еще балл добавляю за общие аранжировки и тягучесть переходящего звука

Ullswater — это же прям краутрок какой-то. Вот этот забавный долбящий ритм в ушах. Много дисторшна, музыка такая, по большей части трансовая, с кучей повторений. И да, краут тут почти в каждой песне — вот этот вот фиксированный бит кажется уже ни с чем не спутаешь после группы Neu! The Soft Season — привет группе Spiritualised и их «Ladies and Gentlemen we are floating into space» А ещё альбом построен в форме многочастных произведений, которые плавно перетекают одно в другое. Я очень долго не мог понять, в какой момент случается переход от одного к другому — но в целом, это и не нужно здесь.

Сладко кайфанул и был бы не против сделать это ещё раз. Хорошо, что сезон начинается именно так.

сындром самазванза лайт по музыке, чутка смеси с левисом дел маре, особенно по текстам о потере флешбекнуло. а эти две (три, включая продюссера лдм) имени у меня во врапде. так что (добавив немного флешбеков на крафтверк), тут ничего иного не поставлю

Groovy soft rock with some electronic influences

This lot must have listened to Secret Machines, who did it better.

Just odd and weird enough to make it interesting but not pretentious, keeping the runtime short makes it more digestible too. Lots of variety on this album, my only gripe is the vocals are a little muted at times. I found Shortcomings and Static Resistance (gives some U2 energy) were up my alley.

Was pleasantly surprised by this one! Really great sounds and rhythms and energy. I knocked a star off because it all gets kind of “samey” by the end

One star off for being terrible people

Fun, electronic

a few good tracks, nice transitions but overall lacking

Enjoyed this record quite a bit. Some of it reminded me of something that would result from crossing Public Image Limited with Pink Floyd.

No

3.5/5. This was ok. Kind of an indie electronic thing. Can't say this album excited me, but it was not bad.

without merit. music: hated. (⌐■_■)

I found this sort of neutrally pleasant to listen to. Sort of surprised it was from 2018… sounds very 2004 or so to me.

2.5

Ouai ok, sympa

It was really weird and not my style

I didn’t get through the whole album but the first half was pretty good. I was maybe too tired to fully enjoy the energy of the music but in a different context, I think I would have liked it a lot more

Listened to this while playing Return to Dark Tower solo. I finally won! I really enjoyed this album. It didn't really feel like there was anything new happening here...but it was still an enjoyable, occasionally dance-y album with a solid progression. Nothing earth shatteringly inventive, but I would still listen to this with friends.

Wasn't feeling this.

Pleasant & upbeat Indie rock. Made for good background music while I worked. 3.5 stars.

Annoying at times. Fading nicely into the background at others. Not really my thing.

LOVED THIS. Sounds like Animal Collective with the bass from Kid A.

Really liked it, and likely will continue listening. Has a fun alternative rock / electronic mix.

This one isn’t my cup of tea. Some decent melodies, but it just doesn’t speak to me.

I’ve never heard of the Hookworms but I listened from front to back and really fucking love it. Giving LCD, Arcade Fire. Added to my playlist for sheeze

Feels very NPR, All Things Considered. Meh.

Modern like. At first it hurt my gears but then I got into it.

Pink Floyd started this with more distinction of input sources. But this has the same appeal. Movie themes? I guess. Long sustained sound, every song is a flight. Lyrics, must be generational. Young don't move on, but welcome the deep deeper deepest analysis. Which is better, I don't know. Comes from being independent and alone. Some are more married to memories than to actual relationships. I like new sounds (I'm evidently older than most of the people doing this), but lyrics often leave me cold.

Middling 2010s indie electro pop rock. There is nothing unique or interesting about this whatsoever. Rating: 2/5 Playlist track: Negative Space Date listened: 03/11/23

I somehow missed Hookworms entirely, but this is a great album! I am now going back through their catalogue - they’ve got a great sound.

This has all the hallmarks of something I should really enjoy. It pulls influences from a number of different highly-compatible places. The problem is the result sounds impressively artificial. Nothing particularly stands out or surprises or makes any major changes to the formulae from which it borrows, and we get this washy, boring mishmash of all its components. I can't pinpoint much that's objectively wrong here, but I don't find anything very compelling, either. It gets a little better in the back half, but not enough to make up for the first.

As many others have mentioned, I’ve never heard of this band. But it was a quick listen, and I finished it all in one sitting. Not sure if I will come back to it though. Didn’t really have any favorite songs.

meh

1. Negative Space - interesting choice for the sound, very electronic or something, intro goes a little long for my liking. I appreciate the build-up but probably could got there quicker. don't mind the lyrics and it's actually kind of a bop. 2. Static Resistance - this one is also quite boppy, i like it. 3. Ullswater - I really like the sound of this one too, reading what it's about (his father's alzheimers) is also super interesting to me and the lyrics def reflect that and it's actually heartbreaking. 4. The Soft Season - interesting sound (crackling and splashing), i didn't mind this one, liked the others better 5. Opener - again the intro went for a little long for me and not a pleasant sound, it built up and I liked the sound of it mostly, but a little too long. 6. Each Time We Pass - sounds like birds chirping in the background, which I don't love. 7. Boxing Day - this one is a really interesting sound, it's a little experimental with that sound that shows up in the song, it's not that pleasant for me, well...that ended abruptly. 8. Reunion - an instrumental, it was ok since it was only one in the whole album and makes sense after the 'loudness' of the previous song, but not a fan of instrumentals. 9. Shortcomings - i like the sound of this one, it's a bop. Overall, I really like the sound of this band and the songs imo are pretty unique and i like their lyrics and music. I don't really get the track lengths, some are super long and then some are like 2 mins, would have liked some consistency, but surprisingly one of my favourites was the Ullswater which went for about 7 mins. I also really like the writing style and the stuff they are writing about is really interesting and not as talked about in music, so that's interesting. looking into it apparently the band split up because MJ had allegations of abuse...that's very disappointing.

It’s fine. It’s blessing is that it’s very similar to LCD Soundsystem, and I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like LCD Soundystem. But that’s also it’s curse. It doesn’t have any of James Murphy & co’s heart. Also, apparently the lead singer is a piece of shit

Verygood

This was a cool discovery. Seems a bit inspired by KGATLW, tame Impala and the like, while at some times sounding like a source of inspiration for butterfly 3000 by KGATLW

Never heard of this band but wow! I really enjoyed the electro power pop on here. Yes the first 90 seconds of each song drags and sounds like laptop bleep-bloop music but then you get some real emotive, melodic synth rockers. Nice surprise album for me.

A nice little record with some interesting sonics, but shouded in a very inconsequential feeling. That it the last album in my edition of the book is baffling. I can understand the difficulty of putting new albums in, because the editor must decide what will be considered a classic, and what will be considered embarrassing in retrospect, but something as plain as this? Was never going to be either.

I thought this was pretty good and a fair surprise from what I expected. It's mostly fun, bouncy electro-pop, nothing remarkable, just a good listen.

Never heard of this before at all, but it's quite good. Not wildly different to the MGMT album we had a few days ago, but not as good. Fun electro-pop, feels much more 2010 than 2018 though. Just about gets a 3.

This band is entirely new to me. Pleasantly surprised.

Je ne connaissais pas du tout, j'ai bien aimé (revue très utile mais la flemme d'argumenter plus avant)

J'ai plutôt bien aimé. J'ai oublié d'écrire ma note après l'avoir écouté donc je ne me souviens pas de plus de choses pertinentes à dire, mais c'était globalement pas mal.

Nope

5 4 3 - Negative Space (3.5) - Static Resistance 2 - Ullswater (would have been a 3, if not for the length) - The Soft Season - Opener (repetitious ... and ...... looonnng) - Each Time We Pass (ditto) - Reunion (why??) - Shortcomings (2.5) 1 - Boxing Day My heart sank with the opening bars to 'Negative Space' and I was thinking, "oh god no, another album of jerkoffs making weird sounds" ... and then, it all turned around. I ended up liking the first track. However, perhaps my opinion will change on 2nd listen (update:nope), but this gets harder to listen to the further down the track list you go. While it's not as bad as I initially feared, it ends up being just too repetitious and each song becomes bland.

Pretty good modern psychedelic rock.

A good enough blend of electronic, psychedelic, and indie rock. Good, but not sure how it merits being on the list.

The first song, "Negative Space", gave me an impression that I wasn't going to like this album, but it's actually interesting. Ullswater reminds me a bit of some 80s and 90s alternative.