The National, Trouble Will Find Me (4AD)
When: May 21
Where: Brooklyn
What: The sixth album from the untouchable elder statesmen of indie rock
Why You Care: Because it’s the fucking National, brah. You don’t have a choice.
For Fans of: That thing they do.
TP’s Excitement Scale: 8/10
Daft Punk, Random Access Memories (Columbia/Daft Life Limited)
When: May 21
Where: Paris
What: The fourth album from the untouchable elder statesmen of indie rock house.
Why You Care: Because it’s the fucking National Daft Punk, brah. You don’t have a choice.
For Fans Of: See above.
TP’s Excitement Scale: See above.
An aside: Just so it’s down in writing somewhere, I’m betting that “Get Lucky” (or, “Mehht Lucky”) is ultimately forgettable and is just footnote of this album. If it is anything more, it’s because Random Access Memories turns out to be a disappointment.
Cloud Boat: Book of Hours (Apollo)
When: May 21
Where: London
What: The unfortunately-named, melancholy British duo’s meticulously crafted debut LP
Why You Care: They deftly hover between the synthesized sounds of James Blake and classic UK fingerpicked folk to craft a delicious sound all their own.
For Fans of: James Blake, Jamie Woon, Deptford Goth. You know, moody British bros.
TP’s Excitement Level: 9.2/10
Baths: Obsidian (Anticon)
When: May 28
Where: LA
What: The highly-anticipated pop-oriented LP from progressive producer Will Wiesenfield
Why You Care: The classically trained pianist’s move toward pop music has been a huge success, thanks to his expressive, fractured falsetto and heartfelt songwriting.
For Fans Of: Something in between Toro and Youth Lagoon
TP’s Excitement Level: 8.5/10
The-Dream: IVPlay (Def Jam)
When: May 28
Where: Atlanta
What: The massively underrated, supremely talented uber-lothario’s long-delayed fifth album
Why You Care: If you are digging this new crop of R&B artists, find out where they learned their tricks from. The pop music Jedi is back!
For Fans of: Boning. Other stuff too, but mostly boning.
TP’s Excitement Level: 10/10
Laura Marling: Once I Was an Eagle (Virgin)
When: May 28
Where: London
What: The next chapter of the British mini-Joni’s quietly astounding young career
Why You Should Care: Though underrated in the States, this is the diminutive Nineties Baby’s fourth exquisite, contemplative folk gem released in the last five years.
For fans of: The Tallest Man on Earth. Emotive songwriting. Fingerpicked guitar wizardry.
TP’s Excitement Level: 9.3/10
Mount Kimbie: Cold Spring Fault Less Youth (Warp)
When: May 28
Where: London
What: The (DON’T-CALL-IT) post-dubstep titans’ follow-up to their genre-defining debut LP, Crooks & Lovers (2010)
Why You Should Care: Because C&L was one of the most important electronic LPs of the last five years. Even if you’ve never heard it, you’ve listened to people who have been hugely influenced by it.
For Fans of: Forward-thinking, down-tempo producers. James Blake.
TP’s Exicitment Level: 9.75/10
And just cuz here’s 8 more to watch:
Deerhunter: Monomania, May 7 (4AD)
Various Artists: Music from Baz Luhrmann’s Film The Great Gatsby, May 7 (Interscope)
MSMR: Secondhand Rapture, May 14 (Columbia)
Vampire Weekend: Modern Vampires of the City, May 14 (XL)
Small Black: Limits of Desire, May 14 (Jagjaguwar)
Wild Nothing: Empty Estate, May 14 (Captured Tracks/Bella Union)
Majical Cloudz: Impersonator, May 21 (4AD)
Koreless: Yugen, May 21 (Young Turks)
