FANGIRL MOMENTS

There’s no shortage of things to say about Kanye West, particularly when it comes to the size of his ego. But there’s one thing critics can’t deny, and that’s his musical genius. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy once again proves it is impossible to typecast West in any particular genre. Taking elements from gospel, R&B, rap, electronic, dance, pop, tribal beats and 1970s electric guitar ballads, West surrounded himself with industry powerhouses like JayZ to create an album that explores what can only be termed a tortured soul, though whether listeners will find him sincere depends on whether you can separate the artist and his caustic on-air persona.

After hearing Lungs, I’m convinced lead singer Florence Welch could sing the phone book and I would listen. Her unique voice gives me chills every time I play “Cosmic Love,” a song that has made me believe me that the harp is indeed a legitimate rock instrument — in the right hands, anyway. “Howl” is another favorite, as is “Dog Days Are Over,” “Rabbit Heart” and “I’m Not Calling You a Liar.” Okay, so I love the entire album, pretty much. Her haunting notes and eclectic melodies  prevent this from becoming background music.

La Roux’s self-titled album is a must for any dance-electronic lover. There is little not to love when La Roux’s soprano soars, the perfect counterpoint to electronic beats that have your shoulders shaking before you know it. Her song “In For the Kill” is addictive and would be all played out, if I still had my Walkman. I’m also a fan of La Roux’s ability to take the teenage themes out of the angst in her music. “Bulletproof,” “Cover My Eyes” and “As If By Magic” all take a mature view of the ins and outs of love without getting overly mushy or heading into Taylor Swift territory. This isn’t your typical approach to love or breakups, and it’s much appreciated for those of us who live in the real world.

I have to say I appreciate the questions Arcade Fire’s concept album poses: How do you balance your own selfish desires and fast-paced life with starting a family? When I was growing up, we longed to escape the endless sprawl of suburbia, but we often later fnd ourselves drawn back to its ideals and aura of safety when we think about raising our own children. The Suburbs is a great album for weekend rocking out doing chores or reading. A few of the songs standout out, especially “Sprawl II” and “Modern Man.” Younger generations might not enjoy its message as much as those in their late 20s and 30s, but The Suburbs is an album every teen will eventually grow into, even if they’re not worried about answering the kid question any time soon.