Well, I was supposed to be reporting to you every week, and I’ve blown it! A number of new albums released have catapulted up my list of favorite albums this year. The nominees are Harry Styles, Bartees Strange, Soccer Mommy, and Martin Courtney (singer/songwriter of one of my faves, Real Estate).

What I love about each of these artists is they sound nothing like each other:

Harry Styles is the heir-apparent to Justin Timberlake, but I think he’s a better songwriter and a much more palatable voice (sometimes JT’s falsetto gets a bit much)
Bartees Strange is unique. He’s a mashup. I hear TV on the Radio in his vocals, Jeff Buckley in his intimacy, Minus the Bear with some go his guitar riffs, and on and on. This guy’s got a lot of talent.
Soccer Mommy is 90s grunge redux.
Martin Courtney’s second solo album shows again why he’s the heart and soul of the uber-chill Real Estate.

Enjoy!