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10 Albums to Stream: the Black Keys, Swans, Pains of Being Pure at Heart, and More

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Another week nears its close, and with it comes a new roundup of album streams. Follow the links below to hear new records by the Black Keys, Swans, the Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Chromeo, and many more.

1) The Black Keys, Turn Blue. “The Black Keys are now streaming their eighth album, Turn Blue, via iTunes Radio’s ‘First Play’ series. We’ve experienced a few highlights from the Danger Mouse co-produced LP to date: the televangelical video for ‘Fever,’ the gloomy title track, the stormy single ‘Bullet in the Brain,’ and also that weird prank call from drummer Patrick Carney to his band’s label, Nonesuch.” — SPIN (via iTunes Radio)

2) Swans, To Be Kind. “‘Screenshot’ opens on a telltale skulking, stalking note, with repetitive curls of guitar and bass that make for a cruel kind of disembodied funk doled out in slow motion. [Michael] Gira’s vocals occupy a style somewhere between a whisper and a growl, and the whole song builds to a dramatic crescendo that reduces horror-movie piano to just one of many parts in a ravishing din.” (via NPR)

3) The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Days of Abandon. “[Lead single] ‘Simple and Sure’ tones down the fuzz found on the Brooklyn band’s formidable sophomore effort, 2011’s Belong, and instead relies on a refreshing blend of jangly melodies, popping handclap percussion, and buoyant vocals.” — SPIN (via YouTube)

4) Chromeo, White Women. “What do we know thus far about Chromeo’s forthcoming album White Women? Well, first off, the Montreal duo’s next LP will be out May 12 via Big Beat Records. Secondly, the tracks ‘Come Alive,’ ‘Jealous (I Ain’t With It),’ ‘Sexy Socialite,’ and ‘Over Your Shoulder’ are your pre-selected summer jams. And third, the duo enlisted a star cast of appearances for the new set, including Solange, Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig, LCD Soundsystem’s Pat Mahoney, Fool’s Gold two-piece Oliver, and Toro Y Moi.” — SPIN (via iTunes Radio)

5) Sylvan Esso, Sylvan Esso. “With the raw materials to both rock dance floors and initiate deep head-bobbing under headphones, Sylvan Esso utterly reinvents the already-promising careers at its core… Equally bright and dark, smart and seductive, [the album] sets a high bar for the title of 2014’s most intoxicating debut.” (via NPR)

6) Le Butcherettes, Cry Is For the Flies. “The Mexican band Le Butcherettes has followed the trajectory of many brilliant artists of that country: Initially unable to succeed in the impenetrable but influential Mexican music scene, its members went abroad, found success, and are now beginning to find recognition back home… This is an amazing band, [lead singer Teri] Gender Bender is rapidly heading to Karen O territory with her vocals and stage presence, and you should listen.” (via NPR)

7) Amen Dunes, Love. “Amen Dunes’ Damon McMahon welcomes contributions from Iceage singer-guitarist Elias Bender Ronnenfelt (who supplies guest vocals on two tracks), avant-garde saxophonist and Bon Iver member Colin Stetson, and Dave Bryant and Efrim Manuck of former tourmates Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Much of the stripped-down record feels fresh, like the bracing cool after a loud, heavy thunderstorm.” — SPIN (via Pitchfork)

8) Walter Martin, We’re All Young Together. “Erstwhile Walkmen man Walter Martin is prepping a solo album, We’re All Young Together, meant to reflect the sweetness and whimsy of youth. His latest share, a collaboration with the National’s Matt Berninger, may be the most childlike yet. Following his yodel-y duet with Karen O (‘Sing to Me’) and his playful ode to/called ‘The Beatles,’ we now get ‘We Like the Zoo (‘Cause We’re Animals Too).’ Over a simple acoustic backing and a number of appropriately animalistic sounds, Martin sings about being wild at heart, and Berninger claims to be all sorts of fauna.” — SPIN (via Pitchfork)

9) Kristeen Young, The Knife Shift.Play the Piano Drunk Like a Percussion Instrument Until the Fingers Begin to Bleed a Bit. The title of a 1970s poetry collection by Charles Bukowski? Well, yes, but the phrase could also serve as a mission statement for piano-slayer Kristeen Young. The St. Louis-bred singer-songwriter (and regular Morrissey tourmate) channels the otherworldly, art-rock dramatics of Kate Bush, along with the ferocity of Sleater-Kinney.” (via SPIN)

10) Mirah, Changing Light. “Mirah wrote Changing Light, her fifth full-length solo album, in the years-long aftermath of a punishing breakup. Maybe it’s the amount of time it took for the material to gestate, or maybe it’s the thoughtfulness and patience gleaned from a nearly 20-year career, but Changing Light keeps looking at her ache from wise angles. Nervy and sonically inventive in spots, tender and graceful in others, it’s a breakup record that eschews childish outbursts and pointless wallowing.” (via NPR)