2010s 16 Items

Released in 1988, Blue Bell Knoll is the Cocteau Twins’ fifth studio album. Delivered after a slightly longer period between records than fans had been used to, this was the first they recorded in their own studio. Freed to now make music how they wanted and with no clock to beat, they rose to the challenge of producing it themselves with real aplomb, introducing a new pop sensibility to their sound, expressed through shorter, 'hookier' songs with occasionally intelligible lyrics. Sound On Sound magazine praised them for showing “an uncanny feel for contemporary sound possibilities without making even the slightest concessions towards the mainstream.” A beautiful record that showed the band’s continued maturity, it also included one of their most enduring songs, ‘Carolyn’s Fingers’, which was reflected on the album’s cover - a close-up of their friend Carolyn’s hand as shot by Juergen Teller.

“Talk That Talk” is the sixth studio album by Barbadian singer Rihanna, released on November 2011, by Def Jam Recordings and SRP Records. It was recorded while traveling for the “Loud” Tour between February and November 2011, and was originally planned to be a reissue of her previous studio album “Loud” (2010). As executive producer, Rihanna enlisted a wide range of producers including Alex da Kid, Mr. Bangladesh, Calvin Harris, Chase & Status, Cirkut, Da Internz, Dr. Luke, Ester Dean, Gareth McGrillen, Hit-Boy, No I.D., Priscilla Renea, Rob Swire, StarGate, The-Dream. Following in the same vein as “Loud”, “Talk That Talk” is a dance-oriented pop/R&B crossover album that incorporates elements of hip hop, dubstep, electronic and house music. The album also continues to have subtle dancehall genres, whilst its lyrical content and themes revolve around a nihilist, romantic and lascivious lover.

“Talk That Talk” received generally positive reviews from music critics, and debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200. As of June 2015, the album has sold 1.15 million copies in the United States.

“What Now” is the second studio album by by American electropop group Sylvan Esso.
The band consists of singer Amelia Meath (of Mountain Man) and producer Nick Sanborn (of Megafaun). They made their debut with the single "Hey Mami" and released their eponymous debut album on Partisan Records May 2014, which reached No. 39 on the Billboard 200. Since then they have released three further singles and toured internationally.