Albums you need to hear now

Thao with the Get Down Stay Down

“Know Better Learn Faster”
(Kill Rock Stars)
Frontwoman Thao Nguyen’s voice is a peculiar breed of passive and punchy, thin yet engaging. Her band, which does indie rock turned at a 30-degree angle towards twee, is also strangely endearing without becoming cute, sweet but slyly dangerous. “Body” is sexy and tart (Nguyen questions, “What am I, just a body in your bed?” while “The Give” is a quietly plucked ode to despair. The band’s mellower stuff (like “Trouble Was For”) isn’t as interesting, but the upbeat songs on the breakup disc “Know Better” (like the joyful “Cool Yourself” and funky “Fixed It!”) clash nicely with the lyrics to deliver music that sounds fun on the surface until you consider the words. Chances are some people have been in a relationship like that.

Posted Oct. 12 by Matt Pais

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