Upcoming Album of the Week (Ending May 14)

Well, Azealia Banks sure had herself an eventful week on Twitter (and then on Instagram, and then back to Twitter). She has long passed the point that she can still make music and have people talk about only that. There are still plenty of artists, though, who haven't made themselves unlistenable through terrible attitudes, so head over to my Upcoming Releases page and check some of them out!

It was a fairly slow week for new announcements, at least those that caught my eye. Perhaps with all the surprise releases lately, no other artists want to compete for our attention.

Earlier this year, Wolf Parade, who had disbanded in 2011, got back together and announced a series of reunion shows. Fans were anticipating the announcement of new music, as well, and this week, the band delivered. On Friday, they announced EP 4, their first new collection of music in six years.

pitchfork.com

During their initial run, Wolf Parade released three albums togethers, the last being 2010's Expo 86. Their decision to go on hiatus was due to the members' desire to focus on other projects. Fans weren't lacking for new music from band members, as each dived right into those other projects. Dante DeCaro and Arlen Thompson both maintain side projects; Dan Boeckner released one more album with Handsome Furs, partnered with Spoon's Britt Daniel as Divine Fits for an album, and started Operators, releasing one EP and one album with them; Spencer Krug released two albums and one EP as Moonface (with another on the way).

Despite the breadth and quality of all of those other projects, I maintain a soft spot for the Wolf Parade line-up. I hope that they continue past this EP with more new music (and maybe schedule a tour date in Cincinnati)!

EP 4 is set to come out Tuesday.

Also announced this week:

Clarke:Hartnoll - 2Square (June 10)
Fleetwood Mac - Mirage Deluxe Reissue (July 19)
MSTRKRFT - Operator (July 22)
Metronomy - Summer 08 (July 1)
River Tiber - Indigo (June 24)
Speedy Ortiz - Foiled Again (June 3)
Thee Oh Sees - Thee Oh Sees - Live in San Francisco (July 1)
Will Butler - Friday Night (June 17)
YG - Still Krazy (June)