This week, Good Charlotte, Steven Tyler and more release new albums.
A little bit of country, a dash of punk and lots of dancey tunes make up this week's list of new releases. Good Charlotte returns with Youth Authority while Steven Tyler is venturing into the country realm with We're All Somebody From Somewhere. Heliotropes are serving up their latest rock offering with Over There That Way. And then, we've got two artists who want to make you get up in dance. Salt Ashes is releasing her debut LP, and Bright Light Bright Light has just dropped his third record, Choreography.
Find out more about our Top 5 Album Releases of the Week below.
'Youth Authority' - Good Charlotte
Since their 2000 self-titled debut album, Benji and Joel Madden, better known as Good Charlotte, have been supplying our ears with pop-punk music till they went on hiatus in 2011. However the band's break is officially over, and they're back with their sixth studio album, Youth Authority. Celebrating 20 years as a band, it's clear from listening to the album that Good Charlotte will play what Good Charlotte wants. And for those who were with them from the early days, they will be catapulted back into their adolescence. Overall their fast-paced tunes like "Makeshift Love" and "WAR" are the strongest parts of Youth Authority. But if you're into the angsty, slow-paced tunes, then they've got some of that for you, too.
'We’re All Somebody From Somewhere' - Steven Tyler
Aerosmith have been rocking out faces off since the 70s. And while each of the members have their own gigs on the side, frontman Steven Tyler is going country on his debut solo record, We're All Somebody From Somewhere. Known best for his slim-fit yet colorful outfits and signature raspy wail, he approaches his solo music with a care that we only saw hints of while he was in the band. Take for instance, "Only Heaven." With the vibe of a rock ballad, the lingering guitar riffs and strums give you that country feel while Steven's vocal delivery and lyrics remind you of just how emotional he got on the 1998 epic Armageddon single, "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing." He offers up some all-American girl love on "Red, White & You" that will liven up any summer party. Then there's the album's title track, which has a fun, party feel but comes with a strong message about America's diversity. While Aerosmith and Steven Tyler fans were probably hoping for something a lot rougher, We're All Somebody From Somewhere is a strong first solo effort from the rockstar.
'Salt Ashes' - Salt Ashes
Veiga Sanchez, known onstage as Salt Ashes, is set to be the next best thing with her self-titled LP. Releasing on Radikal Records, she's been compared to Kylie Minogue. However, she's much darker than this. Playing up the heavier down beats on songs like "Raided," "Landslide" and "No Sleep," her love for the likes of Giorgio Moroder and Depeche Mode shows through. And while she may seem a bit more of the off-the-cuff than the traditionally chart-topping electro-pop stars out there, she's got the potential to hit the mainstream because of the substantial layers that she puts into her sounds and her lyrics. Her single, "Somebody," as well as "Sober" will make you feel like you're in the middle of a dancefloor illuminated with neon busting out your best moves. If you're looking for some upbeat tunes with some bite, check out Salt Ashes' new record.
'Over There That Way' - Heliotropes
Heliotropes first caught our attentions in 2013 with their debut album, A Constant Sea. Filled fuzzy guitar riffs and heavy drums, it cemented the Brooklyn band's presence on the indie rock scene. Now three years later, the band changed a bit. Still led by founding member Jessica Numsuwankijkul, the band now includes drummer Gregg Giuffré, bassist Richard Thomas, and guitarist Ricci Swift. And with the new lineup, there are nuances in not only how the band have arranged their melodies in Heliotropes' sophomore effort, Over There That Way, but also the dynamics in those orchestrations. This is evident in "Dardanelles," which is split into two very different tracks. While the album is a short one (with only seven tracks), it gives you a sense of how the band has grown over the years -- as heard on their melodic "I Can't Remember." The tune starts off quiet and begins to crescendo in a full-blown rock song but still carries an easy-going melody. And now that Heliotropes have dropped new material, we're looking forward to how it will translate onstage.
'Choreography' - Bright Light Bright Light
Bright Light Bright Light has been moving us with collection of dance tunes. So how is he planning to wow us with his third album, Choreography? He teams up with a few special friends including Alan Cumming, Jake Shears of the Scissor Sisters and Elton John. Yes, Sir Elton John! Despite his bright and eccentric outfits, Elton hasn't really ventured into the electronic realm per se. However, the legendary popstar sings on three of Bright Light Bright Light's tracks -- "Symmetry of Two Hearts," "Running Back to You" and the lead single, "All in the Name." While we're sure Bright Light Bright Light took his time to arrange the instrumentals on this record, the UK producer and singer creates a carefree environment that will make you want to dance your problems away. And who doesn't want to do that?