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Album Reviews

Album Review: Tame Impala - Currents

With the exception of maybe Kendrick Lamar's epic To Pimp A Butterfly cover, Tame Impala's Currents should win the award for 2015's best artwork. The Australian psych outfit are no stranger to great art - 2012's Lonerism sported a similarly self-describing title, on the outside of an iron gate look…


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Live Reviews

Live Review: Project Pabst, Day 1 - Hustle and Drone, Run the Jewels

Under the watchful (and still proud) eye of Captain Pabst, steadfast day drinkers with koozies in hand turned out to hear PDX electro-darlings Hustle and Drone open day one of Project Pabst. The trio's fresh synth pop cut through the 97 degree weather. With just as much sweat and half as many keybo…


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Album Reviews

Album Review: Wilco - Star Wars

What's better than a surprise free album from one of your all time favorite bands? A surprise free album from one of your favorite bands that puts them at the top of their two decades and running game. Wilco wrapped up their contract with Nonesuch back in 2010, after their fourth release on the lab…


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Album Reviews

Album Review: Vince Staples - Summertime '06

November '05 through the summertime '06, Vince Staples became a man. He was 12. By the end of the summer, he was 13. There was no celebration of manhood, no joyful birthday parties, with a sense of earned responsibility that comes with adulthood. Age wasn't gifted to Vince Staples. Instead, youth w…


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Local Music Live Reviews

Live Review: The Spits with Wimps and Gazebos at Chop Suey 7/16/15

A full bill of local punk rocked Chop Suey Thursday night in a debaucherous whirlwind of moshing bodies. Presented by Sonic Reducer, KEXP's Saturday night punk and hardcore show, the evening was sure to exhibit all the gems Brian Foss brings to any event: great music, great people, and great attitu…


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Agitated Atmosphere Album Reviews

Agitated Atmosphere: Wes Tirey - Journeyer​/​Forward, Melancholy Dream

As major labels continue to exist behind the times, artists and labels with little capital and lesser reputations are producing some of the most innovative, interesting, and inspiring music. Whether it’s creating a new niche in digital technology or looking to once obsolete formats, Agitated Atmosp…


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Agitated Atmosphere Album Reviews

Agitated Atmosphere: Wes Tirey - Journeyer​/​Forward, Melancholy Dream

As major labels continue to exist behind the times, artists and labels with little capital and lesser reputations are producing some of the most innovative, interesting, and inspiring music. Whether it’s creating a new niche in digital technology or looking to once obsolete formats, Agitated Atmosp…


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Live Reviews

Live Review: Tanlines with Mas Ysa at Neumos 7/8/15

After showing off one of the most refreshing album rollouts in recent history (see: fake websites, conference calls, and blockbuster billboards), synth pop duo Tanlines don't seem to be running out of ways to up the ante on tour. Eric Emm and Jesse Cohen brought a rock-heavy four piece setup to Neu…


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Live Reviews

Live Review: Andrew W.K. with The Fabulous Downey Brothers at Barboza 6/29/15

Andrew W.K. is a brilliant capitalist. Need proof? Here's one: he's still a cultural zeitgeist even now in 2015. Generations have come to Andrew through a stunning variety of mediums. You may know him from his now-classic 2001 party soundtrack to end all party soundtracks I Get Wet, or from his con…


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From the Archives:

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Sub Pop 30th Anniversary Count-Up

In 2018, KEXP celebrated the 30th anniversary of local record label Sub Pop with a four-month retrospective, "counting up" every catalog number in their vast discography of over 1,200 releases. Dig into the archives of our catalog coverage, featuring in-depth coverage on the history of their releases.


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