New Music That Matters 2010

We are about a month and a half into 2010 and I have already heard some good new (and old) music. Here we go:

Pantha Du Prince's New Album "Black Noise"

This is the best album I have heard to date in this young year. More of the same minimal techno bliss just as on 2007's "This Bliss". This time around the German producer enlisted the help of Animal Collective's (!) Panda Bear for vocal duties on one track. The result is a song that is not only one of the best from the album but the first offering from an Animal Collective member that I have found listenable.


Sophomore album from English band These New Puritans

I just found out about this group the other day and have only had one full listen of the album but so far it sounds pretty good. It's an interesting mix of orchestral instruments and hard beats.


Massive Attack's First Album in Seven Years: Heligoland

Easily has some of the group's best work since "Mezzanine" but nothing comes close to matching anything they did on that album or anything before it. "Paradise Circus" is one of the best tracks with a guest performance from Hope Sandoval and the Horace Andy collaboration on "Girl I Love You" echoes "Angel". Time will only tell how this album resonates with me a few months from now.


Older Songs That Matter

Harry Nilsson - Without Her


Al Green - Strong As Death (Sweet As Love)