Upcoming Album of the Week (Ending December 12)

If you live in the Cincinnati (and probably much of the Midwest), you know that it's unseasonably warm right now. You should take advantage of that and, like, go out for a walk or something, before winter officially sets upon us. If somehow you find yourself still holed up at home, spend some time with my Upcoming Releases page to see what's coming out over the next few months.

New release news is slowing down a bit as we head towards the end of the year, but there were still a few exciting announcements this week. This included Thao Nguyen, who announced a new album, A Man Alive, with her band Thao & The Get Down Stay Down.

pitchfork.com

I first checked out Nguyen when she released her last album, We the People, two years ago, but she has been active since 2004. She has an upbeat, pop-tinged folk sound and has often collaborated with other musicians in the same vein; including Joanna Newsom and Andrew Bird. She even released a full-length with Mirah in 2011.

On this go-around, she is working with tUnE-yArDs' frontwoman Merrill Garbus, who provided production for the record (she also produced Thao and Mirah's collaborative album). Garbus' music is much more experimental than Nguyen is known for, but her influence shows a bit even on the first track, "Nobody Dies," released from the record.



A Man Alive is set to be released March 4.

Also announced this week:

The Body - No One Deserves Happiness (March 18)
George Fest: A Night to Celebrate the Music of George Harrison (February 26)
Jaill - Wherever It Be (January 8)
Prince Rama - Xtreme Now (March 4)