Alabama Shakes - Sound & Color

When we have Sharon Jones singing old school funk and soul anthems, there is really no competition in the genre. But what Brittany Howard and the boys are doing, is something very different, even though it's at times confusing. It's pure rock. Vintage - Janis - rock (listen to the "Dunes" and "Gimme all your love", so that you can feel the Joplin effect), which does not play immition games during its creation. And if you think that "Sound & Color" is a copy-paste of their 2012 debut, well, think twice.

This time, three years after their critically acclaimed "Boys & Girls", they are trying to be more raw, vocally at least, and more 70's psychedelic with their sound ("Gemini" will nearly blow your mind). Don't get me wrong, it's still a 2015 thing going on here. But there is a sense of retro freedom and creative euphoria in the songs, even in the darkest ones, that make you listen to the band and Brittany's voice like it's their first attempt in the studio ever.

The desperation part is turned off. No lyrics like "I didn’t think I’d make it to 22 years old", no country echoes, no best new artist burden going around. "The greatest" and "Shoegaze" make them big time rock stars. "Don't wanna fight" is the connection between their two albums, spiritually speaking. "This feeling", one of their best records, could be an India.Arie/Mumford & Sons collaboration and their outro, "Over my head", could be a new Nikka Costa or even a new Prince song.

The constant use of triplets is on. Her powerhouse lungs are also on. Their 70's experimentation is more than welcome, while the vibraphone/strings intro in "Sound & Color" is beautifully weird. Everything is on, fighting, in order to make them better as musicians. And that's the truth about Alabama Shakes' sophomore album - they have become better as musicians. And if you watched their mini gig in SNL, you can admit they have become even better as performers.

AnArtCalled... 9/10

Hozier - Hozier

From recording his first full-length album to performing live on SNL two weeks ago, Hozier has made a flying leap across the ocean, thus convincing the US audience to buy his songs. With soulful/bluesy vocals and lyrics inspired by the singer's some kind of pagan poetry, "Hozier" is a weird case of a crossover irish album you just don't expect it to work. But it works. And it works just fine.

His first single, "Take me to church", received much hype around the internet and Kiesza covered the song with her beautiful voice, but it wasn't until the singer appeared on the american television that changed everything. The album debuted at No 2 on Billboard 200 and Hozier became a star in half an hour.

Although he is an exceptional songwriter, some songs here are actually boring. But then again, that's not the case, because, as I wrote before, the album works just fine. Dark lyrics accompanied by guitars and gospel choirs, love stories and dramas, Hozier's countryside hometown, Wicklow Hills - all these are the materials of an album that could possibly give birth to a new music genre, the "Irish blues" or something (Kudos must also go to the producer, Rob Kirwan).

The best songs in here are loaded in the first half of the album ("Angel Of Small Death And The Codeine Scene", "From Eden", "Jackie And Wilson", "Sedated"), leaving the second half being responsible for the boredom factor. But the thing with Hozier is that even when you are bored, you can appreciate his musicianship and his ability to create his own vintage sound. That actually reminds me of Bon Iver, so applied mathematics (?) leads me to the conclusion that Hozier will win the Grammy Award in the Best New Artist category. Just guessing...

AnArtCalled... 8,5/10