New Music

The iBand above is a good example of truly new music. It is music that could not have been made a decade ago, by people who were probably kids a decade ago. It couldn't be newer. The music itself is not exactly innovative, but the attitude and concept are totally current and fresh.

Each year I get a lot of new music. I am very interested in what pop musicians, particularly my favorite musicians, are doing right now. I want to hear the music thet're making this year, and compare it to their great albums of the past. I want to know if they've still got it, and if I can still get into it.

I am also on the lookout for new artists, but in the past few years, these have been the exceptions. As I get older, accumulating dozens of new albums each year, the list of artists I am following grows, which leaves less room to explore new artists.

So far this year I have at least 24 new albums, and 9 of them are by new artists. Most of these are not actually new, just new to me, having established themselves years ago. And most of them are local to Ithaca and upstate New York, or friends' projects. Four are new major-label artists, and truth be told M. Ward is not at all new, although She & Him is definitely a new project.

Vampire Weekend
She & Him
MGMT
Department of Eagles

IY
Thousands of One
The Sutras
Sirsy
Little Beirut

I have to say that my favorite albums of the year so far have come from these artists, which I take to be a good sign. I wonder which of them will put out a follow-up album that's as good or better? Which ones will engage my interest and curiosity year after year, until I am following their art with eager anticipation?

Make a list of artists whose next album you'll definitely buy. How long is this list? Who's on it?