On The Record: Johnny Marr, Autre Ne Veut, Sally Shapiro, Kavinsky, Youth Lagoon, And Atoms For Peace

Johnny Marr

The Messenger

(Sire/ADA)

Sounds like: The Smiths guitarist and Modest Mouse member’s honest-to-goodness first solo LP is a great, moody indie Brit rock record with modest ambitions.

Free association: He can do no wrong; his decent is everyone else’s awesome.

For fans of: The The/The Pretenders/Moz/Talking Heads, iconic guitar sounds. 


Autre Ne Veut

Anxiety

(Mexican Summer)

Sounds like: A solid sophomore from the New York hermit whose ear for a melody is professional
—a jingle writer turned glitch-pop pioneer heavy on the R&B.

Free association: This R&B renaissance is happening, and I am so not mad.

For fans of: How to Dress Well/Ariel Pink x 
Perfume Genius, disco R&B. 


Sally Shapiro

Somewhere Else

(Paper Bag Records)

Sounds like: The Italo disco-worshipping Swedish duo dwell in synths and dance music on their third, a chill and ambient electro record for relaxing or raging.

Free association: Every once in a while, you get hints of Robyn, and it’s thrilling.

For fans of: The Knife/Chromatics/Junior Boys/Erasure x Annie, delicate disco.


Kavinsky

Outrun

(Republic)

Sounds like: The electro persona of French house producer, Vincent Belorgay, a zombie via a Testarossa crash who returns to make beats and driving music.

Free association: Practically custom-built for the Drive soundtrack. And Sega.

For fans of: Daft Punk x Justice + Digitalism, 
Fischerspooner, 8-bit inspiration.


Youth Lagoon

Wondrous Bughouse

(Fat Possum)

Sounds like: A heavy, stonerific headphone listen from Trevor Powers that’s strong but dark, rich-layered textures of synthetics.

Free association: He went long and complex to make sure we know he’s a musician.

For fans of: Washed Out, EMA/Freelance Whales x Grizzly Bear, creative nerds.


Atoms For Peace

Amok

(XL)

Sounds like: Radiohead’s Thom Yorke shies away from a namesake solo album and opts to create with Nigel Godrich, Flea and all-star studio studs.

Free association: The most exciting introduction here is the Afrobeat chunks. 

For fans of: Ultraista/Four Tet x Grimes, The King of Limbs, Yorke’s dance moves.