Instead of being down and out about the miserable weather we’re having, why not cuddle up and listen to one of the albums that the Music Directors Matt and Caitlyn have so thoughtfully reviewed for you? (because even though classes are over and school is out, that does not mean that M&C are not hard at work, trying to bring you the best in new alternative music!) Click on to read what they have to say about new albums by Kate Nash, Caribou, Typhoon, and Two Door Cinema Club!

Kate Nash
“My Best Friend Is You”
3 out of 5

Kate Nash’s second album is decent. It is obvious with this album that she is reaching for a mainstream audience with the upbeat and poppy sounds that pervade the first half of the album and are scattered through the second. However, she did not throw away her style. Nash still has some very distinctive “indie” elements.

This album is full of more Motown and soul influences.

However, there are some disappointments, such as “Mansion Song,” which is a strange track that consists of Kate Nash speaking loudly and cursing. “You Were So Far Away,” her attempt at a noise pop song, fell short of expectations.

“My Best Friend Is You” provides a few catchy tracks, however, it is nothing that will hold listeners attention.

Key Tracks: “Paris” and “Later On”
-Matt Jannetti

Caribou
“Swim”
4 out of 5

Caribou is the musical project of Canadian Dan Snaith, who says this is the album that he has been waiting to make for quite some time.

Faced with the pressure to top 2007’s “Andorra,” Snaith does just that by creating not-so-typical dance songs on his latest release, “Swim.”Whereas hard and metallic sounds are representative of ordinary dance songs, the ones on this album appear to drift around the listener and flow back and forth like water, a fitting characteristic based on the title of the album.

Many strange and unusual sounds, beats, and tempos are included, but Snaith makes them all fit together perfectly in about four to six minutes, adding his chilling and eerie vocals to the mix as well. Since there are so many layers in every song, only one listen would not do them justice. The cowbell in the opener, “Odessa,” the horns in “Kaili,” the steel drums in “Jamelia,” as well as numerous other instruments need to be heard to fully appreciate this extremely well-produced album. Those who enjoy Four Tet will definitely enjoy Caribou.

Key Tracks: “Odessa” and “Kaili”
-Caitlyn Preciado

Typhoon
“Hunger and Thirst”
3.5 out of 5

Typhoon’s latest release, “Hunger and Thirst,” takes a common sound and does it better than most other bands.

They sound a bit like dream-pop group Beach House, but they put their own spin on the genre. They use guitars, drums and even some brass instruments and they are all used well to make great use of harmonies.

This album is a journey. Each track is full of layers of intertwining sound. Listeners can get lost in the music while this album is playing. The slow beats are extremely relaxing.

“Hunger and Thirst” is not perfect, however. Some of the songs become a little repetitive and go on a little longer then they need to.

But these flaws do not erase the worth of this album. Above all, it is worth a listen, a very close listen. Despite its flaws, this is one that listeners should not let slip by.

Key Tracks: “Body of Love” and “Ghost Train”
-Matt Jannetti

Two Door Cinema Club
“Tourist History”
4.5 out of 5

Having already garnered huge popularity and critical acclaim in the U.K., Two Door Cinema Club is set to take the U.S. by storm. Named after one of the band members’ mispronunciation of Tudor Cinema in their hometown of Bangor in Northern Ireland, TDCC has released a debut album that is a definite contender for record of the year.

Three Irish lads, guitarist/keyboardist Alex Trimble, bassist Kevin Baird and guitarist Sam Halliday, who all lend their voices to the tracks, have skillfully crafted ten songs that make “Tourist History” a pleasure to listen to from start to finish. Even the use of a Mac as the driving rhythm section adds to an inevitable affinity for this electro-pop trio, which sounds like the perfect mix of Bloc Party, Death Cab for Cutie and Phoenix.

The only problem is that the album is too short. It clocks in at just over 30 minutes and once the last song, “You’re Not Stubborn,” hits its final notes, the listener is left craving more — but that may just be what TDCC was aiming for.

Plus, how can you possibly deny an album whose cover art looks like an homage to Andy Samberg’s SNL digital short, “Laser Cats?”

Key Tracks: “I Can Talk,” “Undercover Martyn” and “What You Know”
-Caitlyn Preciado