Miguel: War & Leisure. Review Sketch

year: 2017 

tones of: michael jackson, prince, bruno mars (but better)

genre samples: alternative r&b, soul, funk, pop, rock n roll

music: groovy, energetic, attitude, bold, sincere, sexy, funky, grown, beautiful, head rocking, swaggerific, futuristic, smooth, confident

favs: pineapple skies, city of angels, now, sky walker, told you so, caramelo duro

note: not sure how i missed this in Dec. (unacceptable really), but i sure am glad i circled back around to check in on miguel for no reason. #latebutgreat

score: 8.5/10

FKA Twigs: LP1

year: 2014

tones of: janet jackson (voice), the weeknd, jesse lanza

genre samples: dubstep, indie-pop, r&b, drum and bass

music: cool, smooth, mechanical, sweeping 

vocals: cascading, sensual, manipulated, stretched, soft, pitched

lyrics: direct, vulnerable, sexual, longing, needy, sweet

favs: two weeks, pendulum, video girl, give up

score: 8/10

nb: i was looking forward to what fka twigs would do with her LP since "Water Me" ranked 4th on my top tracks of 2013 (http://simmserely.blogspot.ro/2014/01/top-albumstracks-of-2013.html). the production here is so fresh and the music so bold. i am not disappointed.

Lykke Li: I Never Learn. Album Sketch

year: 2014

tones of: madonna (vocals), sleigh bells (on gunshot)

genre samples: indie-pop, blues, emo, orchestra, indie-folk

music: smooth, flowing, haunting, beautiful, orchestral, thin, moody, sparing, atmospheric, thread bare, echoes, expanding

lyrics: brooding, melancholy, remorseful, forlorn, vulnerable, sorrowful, aching, regret, emptiness, poetic

vocals: earnest, breaking, honest, open, strong, soft, deep, emotional

favs: gunshot, i never learn (gorgeous lyrics and strings), love me like i'm not made of stone, no rest for the wicked, silver line

note: familiar artistic territory for lykke li, even though this is a more ballad oriented, less pop sounding (i.e. commercially risky) album than her previous effort: http://simmserely.blogspot.com/2012/10/lykke-li-wounded-rhymes-review-sketch.html

score: 7.5/10

Local Natives: Hummingbird. Review Sketch

year: 2013

tones of: grizzly bears, radiohead, the shins, coldplay (some vocals), black keys

genre samples: indie pop, indie rock

music: somber, driving, melodic, fast paced, tumbling, harmonic, sweet, sad

lyrics: searching, love forlorn, longing, reflective, earnest, yearning

favs: heavy feet, wooly mammoth, colombia

cover: the cover is apparently a photo of the band climbing up onto the roof of their practice space mashed up with the desktop background of one of the members. interesting.

score: 7.5/10

Lykke Li: Wounded Rhymes. Album Sketch

year: 2011

tones of: gwen stefani, amy whinehouse, m.i.a., mamas and the papas, smash mouth (on - youth knows no pain), 1950/60s girl groups

genre samples:  blues, sunshine pop, country, psychedelic rock, soul, r&b, world music, emo

music: dreamy, radiant, harmonious, rhythmic, melodious, soft, flowing, upbeat, somber, airy

lyrics: clear, insouciant, satirical, dark, brooding, obsessive, heartache, strong, intimate

album: broad, varied, complex, versatile, contrasting, familiar

favs: youth knows no pain, get some, i follow rivers, unrequited love, i know places, silent my song

score: 8.5/10