Purity Ring
“Shrines”
Hailing From: Montreal, Canada
Release Number: Debut
Genre: Synth pop
Label: 4AD

I haven’t been as excited for a debut album in a while. In today’s music climate, a band seems to release their debut album only a few months after they first pop onto the scene. Purity Ring took their time, however, releasing their first single (“Ungirthed”) back in the very beginning of 2011. A year and a half later, their debut is finally released and it’s one of the most fully realized debut albums in a while. It’s rare that a band hits the ground running right away, but Purity Ring seem to have done it with Shrines.

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Dirty Projectors
“Swing Lo Magellan”
Hailing From: Brooklyn, NY
Release Number: 6th
Genre: R&B-influenced indie pop
Label: Domino

Dirty Projector’s breakthrough 2009 album Bitte Orca put the band into the spotlight of the indie world.  While Swing Lo Magellan is their sixth album, in many ways it feels like a sophomore effort. Dirty Projectors are known for reinventing their sound with each album, mostly at the whim of leader Dave Longstreth. Swing Lo Magellan is the first album that really builds on the sound of its predecessor. However, while Bitte Orca was all about building intricate arrangements, Magellan focuses more on hooks. This is Dirty Projector’s most accessible and straightforward album yet.

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Beach House
“Bloom”
Hailing From: Baltimore, Maryland
Release Number: 4th
Genre: Dream Pop
Label: Sub Pop

Beach House has consistently released an album every two years since their self-titled debut back in 2006. 2012 is the year for Bloom. They’ve become known, over the years, for Victoria Legrand’s spooky contralto vocals and Alex Scully’s perfectly paired riffs and catchy melodies. This album is no different in respect to their trademark style. Released in the beginning of the summer, it’s perfectly timed to carry us through the season. Littered with sound clips of the sea and the wind, Bloom feels well fit for the coming months. Bringing their style in a slightly more ominous and developed direction, Beach House leaves the feel of Teen Dream behind as they move forward with their latest endeavor; however, that’s not to say it will be a disappointment.

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Dinosaur Feathers
“Whistle Tips”
Release Number: 2nd
Hailing From: Brooklyn, NY
Genre: Indie Rock
Label: Ernest Jennings Record Co.

Brooklyn’s only wedding band specializing in elopements is back and even after three years, Dinosaur Feathers’ debut album, Fantasy Memorial, still holds up.  It’s still my favorite album by a smaller local artist in recent years.  It was full of charm, it was fairly unique, and the musicianship was excellent.  It was a happy album full of vocal harmonies and interesting melodies.  When Whistle Tips came across my desk, I was understandably excited to give it a listen.
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Here are the Top 30 Albums at WTSR for the Week Ending 5/13/2012!
(Listed by Artist then Album Title)

1 HERE WE GO MAGIC A Different Ship
2 GEMMA RAY Island Fire
3 GAZ COOMBES Here Come The Bombs
4 MAPS AND ATLASES Beware And Be Grateful
5 XIU XIU Always
6 M. WARD A Wasteland Companion
7 SARAH JAFFE The Body Wins
8 MOONFACE With Siinai: Heartbreaking Bravery
9 LA SERA Sees The Light
10 EVANS THE DEATH Evans The Death
Click here to see the full list.