May 7
Mexican Summer
1xLP
Before playing the title track of their sophomore album at the tail-end of their 20 minute set at the 2012 Pitchfork Music Festival, Iceage frontman Elias Bender Rønnenfelt addressed the audience for the first time that day. “This song is dedicated to all of you. It’s called You’re Nothing.” In the years since, the Danish band has amassed two reputations. Firstly, as one of the world’s best rock bands and secondly as what would happen if you got four Werner Herzog’s to form a band together. Seek Shelter keeps intact the first part of the band’s reputation while moving away from the second, and not just by adding a fifth member. While existential doom remains an essential part of Iceage’s music, they are genuinely having fun here with synths, dance rhythms, choirs and pub sing-alongs all coming together to make for something that is as close to joy as the band has yet to get.
IYL: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Joy Division, drinking to forget