Summer Album Preview

2012 already looks to be one of the best years for music fans in recent memory. With a new solo album from Jack White and the return of James Mercer and The Shins, it is fair to say that the realms of rock and pop music have returned to their past grandeur.

This summer looks to continue the momentum that has been gained in the first four months of the year. The CU Independent takes a look at what we can expect this summer from some of today’s and yesterday’s best artists.

Santigold – Master of My Make Believe – May 1 

The artist formerly known as Santogold is back with her new album, Master of My Make Believe, except this time just as Santigold. The Philadelphia native has spent the last four years touring and producing her sophomore album with top producer DIPLO, among others, honing her pop craft and making her an even more daring artist.

In addition to DIPLO, Santigold has been working with Nick Zinner and Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s. Look forward to an album with a cabinet full of different genres.

Silversun Pickups – Neck of the Woods – May 8 

The third release from Los Angeles fuzz-rockers continues right where they left off on 2009’s “Swoon.” The lead single from ”Neck of the Woods,” “Bloody Mary (Nerve Endings),” sticks to a simple melody while the drumming of Chris Guanlao shuffles underneath.

Produced by Grammy-winning producer Jacknife Lee (REM, Weezer, U2), “Woods” looks to continue the rise of one of indie rock’s most underrated bands.

Best Coast – The Only Place – May 15 

Bethany Cosentino is back in front of her sun-pop band Best Coast on their new album, ”The Only Place.” Ditching the majority of the fuzzed-out guitars and the copious amounts of reverb found on their first release, Cosentino and multi-instrumentalist Bobb Bruno have returned with a more focused and more refined version of their past selves. The title track is a cut shy of three minutes, but in that time, Cosentino manages to convince you that California is truly “The Only Place” to be.

Sigur Ros – Valtari – May 28 

Returning from their Icelandic home, Sigur Ros have come back to release another delicious helping of their trademark atmospheric cacophony. This time, though, they stray from the formulaic, quiet intro to intense climax. Now, they rely more on texture as the carrier of emotion rather than huge crescendos.

The first song released from “Valtari”, entitled “Ekki Mukk”, is the best example of this newfound style. The some seven minutes of this track rely just on strings and the pops and hiss of an old vinyl record. Look forward to losing yourself in this album, whether at night under the stars or on a bright, sunny day.

Passion Pit – Gossamer  – July 25 

Not much is known about this newly announced album. Only made known a week ago, “Gossamer” is the follow-up to the hugely popular and successful “Manners.”  The album will consist of twelve new songs from Michael Angelakos and the rest of Passion Pit. Look for more news regarding “Gossamer” as the band heads out on a nationwide tour this summer including a stop at Red Rocks in Morrison, co-headlining with French beat-masters Justice, on Aug. 7.

Be sure to pick up all of these releases and check out other new albums from: Norah Jones, Keane, Rush, The Smashing Pumpkins, John Mayer and Garbage, all of which will be released in the next months to come.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Patrick Fort at Patrick.fort@colorado.edu.