Notable Album Releases This Week: 5/22

Today is a big release date in the indie world and this post is dedicated to offering a bit of info about the records I recommend you check out. This may very well become a weekly Tuesday feature here at Moroccan Role. Enjoy!

The National - Boxer

The National's much-anticipated and blog-loved Boxer finally arrives in stores today. Click here to read my post on their first single "Mistaken for Strangers". Unsurprisingly, the album has been receiving rave reviews from critics. This is another strong and cohesive album from these Brooklyn-based Cincinnati transplants.



MP3: The National - "Mistaken for Strangers"
MP3: The National - "Fake Empire"

Buy the album here.

Handsome Furs - Plague Park

Wolf Parade co-vocalist/guitarist Dan Boeckner and his fiancé release their Handsome Furs debut today via Sub Pop. Click here to read my thoughts on the album. Basically, I believe it is the best Wolf Parade spin-off yet and Plague Park is one of my favorite albums of the past couple of months.




MP3: Handsome Furs - "Cannot Get Started"
MP3: Handsome Furs - "Handsome Furs Hate This City"

Buy the album here.

Battles - Mirrored

So-called "math rockers" Battles follow a couple of EPs with their debut album, which adds vocals to the mix for the first time. I've just started giving this one some serious spins, but it is proving to be an excellent and completely original listen. Click here to see what the critics are saying. If any mostly electronic-based music can ever be accurately described as "muscular", Battles are more deserving of that descriptor than any band I've yet to hear.

MP3: Battles - "Atlas"
MP3: Battles - "Ddiamondd"

Buy the album here.

Shapes and Sizes - Split Lips, Winning Hips, A Shiner

Last, but not least, Canadian experimental indie-popsters Shapes and Sizes released their sophomore album today via Sufjan Stevens' label Asthmatic Kitty. The band received much blog love over the past couple of months, but I've finally just stumbled upon their new album. This record may be overlooked due to today's other more high profile releases, but this blurb should serve as a reminder you may wanna pick this album up if you enjoy the tunes below.

MP3: Shapes and Sizes - "Alone/Alive"
MP3: Shapes and Sizes - "Head Movin'"

Buy the album here.