This week’s selections gave us several throwback tones to enjoy. It makes sense given the spirits following Memorial Day sentiments. Be it a weepy classic rock guitar vibe beneath the fire of Mick Jenkins, the continued evolution of UK garage from Disclosure, noise-pop sweetness courtesy of Oberhofer, or Sarah Neufeld bringing fresh ears to the violin, these artists find new life in familiar sounds. But don’t get too comfortable in the acoustic bliss of Chris Weisman; there is definitely some chaos promised by the likes of Son Lux and Ecstatic Vision, too.
10. Oberhofer – “Memory Remains”
Brad Oberhofer is back, and he’ll release his second album under his surname this August. Chronovision, the follow-up to 2012’s Time Capsules II, arrives August 21st through Glassnote Records. Our first taste of the album comes in the form of “Memory Remains”, a glam rock ballad that sees Oberhofer reassuming his role as a reliably charismatic frontman. He hits somewhere between David Bowie and Robert Smith in this take, which also draws blood from early aughts post-punk like the Killers and Hot Hot Heat. It’s an unabashedly campy swinger — Oberhofer doesn’t let his retrospective vision sap any of the color from his glitter-coated sources. –Sasha Geffen
