5 Albums to an emotional gay man’s heart.

Well I think the title sort of says it all, but we’ve had some amazing music coming out in the last few months that are not worth passing up.  Weather it be on your x-mas list or whatever music lovers lists, but these albums should not be passed up for the emotionally charged, dance-a-holics, or geeks.  This lists covers the grounds from dark, mystical, happy, sensual, to anger.  Take a peek and let’s see what we have!

1. Florence + The Machine – Ceremonials
Probably the most anticipated follow-up album of the year, Florence Welch provided us with an amazing debut album, Lungs, with dark and moody baroque undertones, upbeat hair thrashing, and vocal belting songs that kept us at our feet wanting more from her.  Her music, serious and dark, provides us with the reality and energy of what it means to be alive and human.  Her second album has provided us with all the sounds we love from Lungs, but with a more mature sound, deeper lyrics, and has provided us with more than we ever wanted.  Something not to pass up at all, and totally worth picking up the deluxe version in your country.  She recently performed on the BBC Radio 1 station, covering Drake’s new song “Take Care” (Featuring Rihanna), blowing the songs power out of the water.  Yes I boast, but you know, Florence is an artist that deserves as much attention as the top Pop stars, mostly for her pure talent and vocal skills.

2. M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming.
With Anthony Gonzalez’s previous album, Saturdays = Youth putting him in the public eye and mass appeal (Hitting #107 on Billboard 200 Charts), gave M83 the acknowledgement that their music was meant for everyone to enjoy.  S=Y put M83 on many charts for albums of the decades, songs of the decades (Kim and Jessie), and giving them the recognition that they truly deserve.  With their new conceptual album, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming, Gonzalez has put all the sounds and vocals we loved in S=Y, but adding more, making a double album, providing us with intensity and heart wrenching vocals that strain our muscles as we dance and scream with him.  Certainly there are more quiet songs on the album, but there is something about the album that makes you feel primal, or hitting something within the subconscious that triggers these emotions that only he can do.

3. The Sound of Arrows – Voyage
Providing a fulfillment of our love for the Pet Shop Boys, This Swedish band has pushed their sound beyond the PSB, giving us a new sound that is both dreamy and magical.  I first discovered them when I came across a remix of Lady Gaga’s “Alejandro” an soon learning more about them on Pop Justice.  “Into The Clouds” was their first single, and I gravitated to their Fear of Tigers remix and LOVED IT.  Upon getting the album, I popped in my headphones and walked all over the city with the music filling my ears, seeing it in a totally different perspective.  Innocent and lyrically simple, their songs boast you up, keep you going, and smile.  I’ve spent way too many hours shaking my booty to this, and dancing throughout the house in my underwear (yet again), but it’s all amazing.

4. Zola Jesus – Conatus
Nika Roza Danilova has perpetually enchanted me with her music over the past few years.  Her new album, Conatus explores a more developed sound, using her love for electronic sounds and mixing it with acoustic elements, adding a romanticism to her dark voice.  Seeing her live in concert was amazing, her visuals relate to her work and sounds by mimicking beats creating the mental atmosphere that is in her mind.  She is an artist to watch and look out for over the next few years, as she keeps developing her lyrics, sound, and aura, enchanting all around her as she sings.  She may be little, but she sure has a punch to her sound, and lets it be known as music blasts over you (in concert) surrounding you by her voice and energy that literally shakes every portion of your body.

5. Monarchy – Around The Sun
Monarchy has been a ban who’s album I had for quite some time now, but never really gave it a full listen to recently.  I think it has to do with all the time I have with my iPod, walking around listening to music, and they came on one day, and I forgot I had the album!  I felt bad because I initially had an EP of theirs before the full album ATS was released.  Better produced and flowing much better, the album has a space feeling, sort of scientific, and surreal, which of course is what they are going for.  I don’t fancy male vocals that often, but they know how to keep me in touch with quick beats, altered vocals, and their out of this world persona.  Their image which seems to reflect high fashion, surreal and futuristic interpretations of musicians, keeps my mind wandering about the possibilities of where they can go from here.

So now you got a little starting list, so grab these hot cookies up while they are fresh, and put on your headphones or put up the base and blast the speakers and just enjoy these great albums on your own, and feel free to shed a tear, or spin around in circles while you are with yourself!  Do it, I promise it’ll be amazing!