Out This Week 1/26

Music fanatics everywhere can breathe once again as this week’s new releases promise only the most excellent albums to come in 2010. Prolific folk artist Stephin Merritt has created yet another masterwork with Magnetic Field’s new album, Realism. Releasing 19 albums in 19 years under several get-ups, Realism is as inspirational and instrumentally seductive as Merritt’s latter works, staying true to his pessimistic outlook on love while shifting away from Magnetic Field’s signature abrasive sound. Complete with the flugelhorn, the harpsichord, children’s music and even the author Lemony Snicket (Daniel Handler) on accordion and backing vocals, Realism is a must-have for any indie folk collection.

Dream pop duo Beach House released their breathtaking third album and debut Sub Pop record, Teen Dream. The whimsical “Norway” and the wandering “Silver Soul” are the star tracks of the nighttime soundtrack, and guarantee to transport any listener to another world. Retribution Gospel Choir focus on big guitars and pop hooks with their second album 2. Unlike their debut, 2 separates the three-piece band from singer/guitarist Alan Sparhawk and bassist Steve Garrington’s former slowcore project, Low, giving them a well-deserved identity of their own.

San Fransisco sextet Citay released their riff heavy, jam monster, Dream Get Together. Influenced by momentous 70s sound, the soft-loud album is epic and energetic, refreshing from much of today’s dismal, downer melodies. Toronto punkers Fucked Up released a double-disc compilation of 25 of their hardest-to-find and uncollected 7″ and 12″ tracks with Couple Tracks: Singles 2002 - 2008, giving mosh pit lovers everywhere more of an excuse to thrash. British producer/multi-instrumentalist Kieran Hebden (a.k.a. Four Tet) explodes into the new year with his fresh and hypnotic fifth studio album There Is Love In You (“Love Cry” was featured as Monday’s Song of the Day). And, Welsh band Los Campesinos! ripen from their giddy pop beginnings with their third album, Romance Is Boring, saturated with fuzzed electric guitar, and catchy strings and horns.

All in all, this is a week of musical awesomeness with power labels generously releasing multiple albums. Sub Pop cranked out AFGCT’s self-titled album, along with those of Beach House and Retribution Gospel Choir. Matador released their various artist salute to the city of Austin, Texas with Casual Victim Pile: Austin 2010 along with Fucked Up‘s album. Drag City put out several records, including Major Star’s Return to Form, Scout Niblett’s The Calcination of Scout Niblett and The Red Krayola’s Five American Portraits. Even Thrill Jockey got multiple album action with Chicago Underground Duo’s Boca Negra and Robert A.A. Lowe & Rose Lazar’s Eclipses. Don’t forget to check out Largehearted Boy’s list for even more outstanding records before heading out to your local record shop.