New Music Friday - August 4, 2017

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Amy O - Elastic Amy Oelsner is a Bloomington, Indiana-based singer and songwriter who began learning the guitar and writing songs as a child in Arkansas. Her career took her across the United States before she landed in Indiana in 2016. Elastic is her second album recorded in her new home. Watch: "History Walking" Watch: "Lavender Night"

Briana Marela - Call It Love Marela also has a connection to Bloomington, Indiana; she is signed to Jagjaguwar Records, based in the town. She herself is from Seattle. She released her first album with the label, All Around Us, in 2015. Call It Love continues on the sounds explored on that previous album, spanning pop, electronic, and folk styles. Watch: "Farthest Shore" Listen: "Feel What I Feel"

Other Full-Length Releases

A$AP Twelvyy - 12 Watch: "Strapped" Listen: "Diamonds" (featuring A$AP Rocky)

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

Brian Eno - Another Green World Reissue Listen: "Sky Saw" Listen: "Another Green World"

Brian Eno - Before and After Science Reissue Listen: "No One Receiving" Listen: "Here He Comes"

Brian Eno - Here Come the Warm Jets Reissue Listen: "Needle in the Camel's Eye" Listen: "The Paw Paw Negro Blowtorch"

Brian Eno - Taking Tiger Mountain Reissue Listen: "Burning Airlines Give You So Much More" Listen: "Back in Judy’s Jungle"

Wind River: Original Score By Nick Cave & Warren Ellis Listen: "Snow Wolf" Listen: "Three Seasons in Wyoming"

Upcoming Album of the Week(s) (Ending December 16)

It's the most wonderful time of the year, when everyone starts posting their year-end lists of the best movies, music, games, and more, and readers start freaking out about what's included and what's not. I will, of course, post my own list, as well as compile those year-end lists into one!

A large number of albums due out next year have already been announced. Check out my list of them here!

A couple of weeks ago, Meg Remy announced her sixth album as U.S. Girls, In a Poem Unlimited.

pitchfork.com

Remy has been working since 2007 and released her first album, Gravel Days, in 2008. It wasn't until last year that I first became aware of her and her latest album, Half Free, thanks to Exclaim (a Canadian music magazine). While the album was described as "art pop," it combined a variety of styles ranging from chamber music, to reggae, to pop. But it was her voice and lyrics that really drew me in (check out the album opener, "Sororal Feelings").

She released "Mad as Hell", the first single and video from the album back in October. The album was announced at the end of November along with a new song, "Velvet 4 Sale".

In a Poem Unlimited is scheduled for release on February 16.

Also announced recently:

American Nightmare - American Nightmare (February 16)
Austra - “Change the Paradigm” (out now)
Charli XCX - Pop2 (out now)
Closer - All This Will Be (January 19)
David Byrne - American Utopia (March 9)
DJ Earl & Nick Hook - 50 Backwoods (December 8)
El Perro Del Mar - We Are History (February 2)
EMA - Outtakes from Exile (March 2)
Emily A. Sprague - Water Memory (December 21)
Eminem - Revival (out now)
Ghostface Killah - The Brown Tape (January 26)
Guided By Voices - Space Gun (March 23)
Jimi Hendrix - Both Sides of the Sky (March 9)
Jonathan Wilson - Rare Birds (March 2)
Legend of the Seagullmen - Legend of the Seagullmen (February 9)
Lily Allen - “Trigger Bang” (out now)
Lucy Dacus - Historian (March 2)
Renata Zeiguer - Old Ghost (February 23)
Rhye - Blood (February 2)
The Shins - The Hearts Worm (January 19)
Strand of Oaks - Harder Love (January 19)
Ty Segall - Freedom’s Goblin (January 26)
Wild Beasts - Last Night All My Dreams Came True (February 16)
Xenia Rubinos, Sammus, & Olga Bell – “Levitating” (out now)

Upcoming Album of the Week (Ending November 25)

I hope that all of my wonderful readers had a great Thanksgiving. Myself, I spent the holiday in North Carolina with my mom, my boyfriend, and his family. Work and travel have given me less time to work on this blog lately, but I did finally get my Upcoming Releases page updated! So, go over and check it out!

Today's post actually covers the past two weeks. A couple of weeks ago, Brandi Carlile announced her sixth album, By the Way, I Forgive You.

npr.org

Brandi Carlile was one of the first artists who made me appreciate country music (or alt-country, the name for artists more indebted to '60s and '70s style country than to the modern sound). She's consistently released strong work over 13 years and five albums.

She announced her latest album just shy of two weeks ago. Though her music has always wavered between alt-country, folk, and americana, she describes this album as a "massive change" for her.

By the Way, I Forgive You is set for release on February 16.

Also announced over the past two weeks:

Art Feynman - Near Negative (December 15)
The Body - A Home on Earth (out now)
Charlotte Day Wilson - “Doubt” (out now)
Dream Wife - Dream Wife (January 26)
Echo & The Bunnymen - The Stars, the Oceans & the Moon (May)
Girlfriend Material - Girlfriend Material (out now)
Kehlani - “Already Won” (out now)
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard - Polygondwanaland (out now)
Loma - Mona (February 16)
MED, Blu, & Madlib - The Turn Up (out now)
N.E.R.D. - No_One Ever Really Dies (December 15)
Palehound - YMCA Pool 7” (January 26)
Panda Bear - A Day with the Homies (January 12)
Robert Earl Thomas - Another Age (February 16)
S. Carey -  Hundred Acres (February 23)
Saintseneca - “Moon Barks at the Dog” (out now)
The Staves & yMusic - The Way Is Read (November 24)
A Very Roc Christmas (out now)

New Music Friday - September 1, 2017

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Hercules and Love Affair - Omnion Hercules and Love Affair was started by producer Andy Butler in 2004. They saw their first success in 2008 with the track "Blind", a collaboration with Anohni. Since, they have released three albums, including Omnion. Their fourth records features both past collaborators, Rouge Mary, and some new featured voices, Sharon van Etten and Faris Badwan. Watch: "Controller" (featuring Faris Badwan) Watch: "Omnion" (featuring Sharon van Etten)

LCD Soundsystem - american dream Turns out LCD Soundsystem's 2011 farewell concert at Madison Square Garden was not the end for them, though they did take an extended break. In 2015, they released a Christmas single, then played a few shows (mostly festival appearances) through 2016. They released the first singles from the eventual comeback album in May. The return is a bit annoying following the spectacle of their farewell, but is still a welcome one. Watch: "tonite" Listen: "american dream"

Madeline Kenney - Night Night at the First Landing Madeline Kenney is a musician, and baker, and painter, and neuroscientist, hailing from Seattle. She released her debut EP, Signals, in 2016.  The EP was produced by Chaz Bear (better known as Chaz Bundick or Toro Y Moi). He returns to produced her debut full-length. Watch: "Rita" Watch: "Always"

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - The Echo of Pleasure The Pains of Being Pure at Heart have been around since 2007, making indie pop influenced by the shoegaze alt-rock of the 80s and 90s. They stripped their sound back a bit for their previous record, 2014's Days of Abandon, but return to the fuller sound of their earlier records for this follow-up, their fourth album overall. Watch: "When I Dance with You" Watch: "So True"

Other Full-Length Releases

Daughter - Music from Before the Storm Listen: "Burn It Down" Listen: "Glass"

Duds - A Nature or a Degree Listen: "Elastic Feel"

Maneka - Is You Is Listen: "Dracula" (featuring Katie Capri) Listen: "Tiger Baby" (featuring Jordyn Blakely)

Mogwai - Every Country’s Sun Watch: "Coolverine" Watch: "Party in the Dark"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

The Knife - Live at Terminal 5

Upcoming Album of the Week (Ending November 11)

John Cale has announced a series of shows to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Velvet Underground & Nico. In place of the dearly departed Lou Reed, the shows will features a number of other notable performers, including Sky Ferreira, Kurt Vile, Animal Collective, and Tunde Adebimpe. This will inevitably result in a live album sometime next year; when that happens, check it out over at my Upcoming Releases page!

This week, Van Morrison proved that he has no plans to quit anytime soon and announced his 38th album, Versatile.

vanmorrison.com

Morrison has a career spanning back more than 50 years, but has been especially busy the past couple of years, releasing albums in 2015, 2016, and 2017. That's right, he's already released an album this year; September's Roll with the Punches.

He announced this follow-up on Sunday and it will feature a mix of blues and soul reinterpretations as well as original songs.

Versatile is set for release on December 1.

Also announced this week:

Ashanti - “Say Less” (out now)
BC Unidos - Bicycle EP (out now)
Beastie Boys - The In Sound from Way Out! Reissue (December 8)
Beastie Boys - To the 5 Boroughs Reissue (December 8)
Bright: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (December 15)
Elbow - The Best Of (November 24)
Empire of the Sun - On Our Way Home (out now)
Field Music - Open Here (February 2)
Jidenna - Boomerang (out now)
Marlon Williams - Make Way for Love (February 16)
Poliça/s t a r g a z e - Music for the Long Emergency (February 16)
Superchunk - What a Time to Be Alive (February 16)

New Music Friday - August 25, 2017

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

EMA - Exile in the Outer Ring This fourth album from Erika M. Anderson is written about the "outer ring", lower-income housing that has risen up around many large cities as the wealth has moved towards the center. Always socially- and politically-minded, Anderson sings about the poverty and lack of resources plaguing these areas. She works with Unknown Mortal Orchestra's Jacob Portrait on the record, which continues her streak of spectacular music. Watch: "Blood and Chalk" Watch: "Down and Out"

Filthy Friends - Invitation Filthy Friends is a band formed from members of Sleater-Kinney (Corin Tucker), Fastbacks (Kurt Bloch), R.E.M. (Peter Buck, Bill Rieflin), and The Young Fresh Fellows (Scott McCaughey). They formed in 2012 primarily to perform David Bowie covers, but have moved to their own material for their debut album together. Watch: "Despierta" Listen: "The Arrival"

Gordi - Reservoir Gordi is Sophie Payten, a musician from Sydney, Australia. She got her start a couple of years ago, getting attention from Australian radio stations Triple J and FBi before signing a record deal with (Bloomington, Indiana-based!) Jagjaguwar Records and releasing an EP, Clever Disguise, in May of last year. Reservoir is her debut full-length. Watch: "Bitter End" Watch: "On My Side"

Iron & Wine - Beast Epic Iron & Wine's last two albums, 2015's Sing Into My Mouth and 2016's Love Letter for Fire, were his first forays into full-length album collaborations, with Ben Bridwell and Jesca Hoop, respectively. This year, he's back as a solo artist for his sixth album. It is noted as a return to the artist's sound on his earliest work, with at least one critic comparing it to Our Endless Numbered Days, his second studio album. Watch: "Call It Dreaming" Watch: "Thomas County Law"

Queens of the Stone Age - Villains QotSA made a surprising (to me, at least) move for their seventh album, working with producer Mark Ronson. Ronson became known for his work with Amy Winehouse, as well as the groover he released in 2014 with Bruno Mars. It seems like a strange pairing, but one that allowed the band to greatly progress their sound. Villains isn't a huge departure from their past work, but does introduce a but of boogie to the mix. Listen: "The Evil Has Landed" Listen: "The Way You Used to Do"

Other Full-Length Releases

A$AP Mob - Cozy Tapes Vol. 2: Too Cozy Watch: "Feels So Good" Watch: "RAF" (featuring A$AP Rocky, Playboi Carti, & Quavo)

Action Bronson - Blue Chips 7000 Watch: "The Chairman’s Intent" Watch: "Let Me Breathe"

Baby in Vain - More Nothing Watch: "To Heaven and Back" Watch: "Lowlife"

Blank Range - Marooned with the Treasure Listen: "Ember in the Ash" Listen: "Opening Band"

CYMBALS - Light Your Mind Watch: "Decay" Listen: "Car Crash"

The Fresh & Onlys - Wolf Lie Down Watch: "One of a Kind" Watch: "Impossible Man"

Game Theory - Supercalifragile

A Giant Dog - Toy Watch: "Bendover" Listen: "Photograph"

Joseph Shabason - Aytche Watch: "Westmeath" Listen: "Aytche"

Liars - TCFC Watch: "Staring at Zero" Watch: "Cred Woes"

The Mynabirds - Be Here Now Watch: "Golden Age" Watch: "Cocoon"

Oh Sees - Orc Watch: "Night Expo" Listen: "The Static God"

Shock Machine - Shock Machine Watch: "Lost in the Mystery" Watch: "Open Up the Sky"

The War on Drugs - A Deeper Understanding Watch: "Pain" Watch: "Holding On"

Widowspeak - Expect the Best Watch: "Dog" Listen: "When I Tried"

Wiki - No Mountains in Manhattan Watch: "Mayor" Watch: "Pretty Bull"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

D’Angelo - Brown Sugar Reissue Listen: "Cruisin’" (Who’s Foolin’ Who Mix) Listen: "Brown Sugar" (Incognito Molasses Remix)

Dan Deacon - Spiderman of the RIngs 10-Year Anniversary Reissue Watch: "The Crystal Cat" Listen: "Big Milk"

Hand Habits - "Yr Heart" 7” Listen: "Yr Heart" Listen: "Carpenter’s Daughter"

King Krule - "Czech One" Watch: "Czech One"

Philia: Arists Rise Against Islamophobia Listen: The Dodos - "Mirror Flake" Listen: Hamilton Leithauser - "The Song with No Name"

Superchuck - Superchunk Reissue Watch: "Watery Hands"

Underworld - Beaucoup Fish Super Deluxe Edition Listen: "Jumbo" Listen: "Cups"

Upcoming Album of the Week (Ending November 4)

SZA's Ctrl is getting its vinyl release in just a couple of weeks! I pre-ordered it just this week and will be waiting eagerly for its arrival. The talented singer also recently announced that she is working on a new album with Mark Ronson and Kevin Parker of Tame Impala, something that is sure to be amazing!

When that album comes to fruition, be sure to check it out over at my Upcoming Releases page! Hopefully, it won't also come with a five-month wait for a vinyl version.

This week, Björk announced her ninth album, Utopia.

amazon.com

The album follows 2015's Vulnicura, an album Björk wrote in the aftermath of her breakup from Matthew Barney. She started work on the follow-up shortly after the release of Vulnicura and has described the album as "paradise" in contrast to Vulnicura's "hell."

The first single from the album, "the gate", was released back in September. Though the album itself was announced a ways back, Björk announced its release date on Halloween.

Utopia is set for release on November 24.

Also announced this week:

Bahamas - Earthtones (January 19)
Bat Fangs - Bat Fangs (February 2)
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago 10th Anniversary Reissue (February 16)
Bonnie “Prince” Billy - Wolf of the Cosmos (November 17)
Cadence Weapon - Cadence Weapon (January 19)
Glen Hansard - Between Two Shores (January 19)
Gorillaz - “Garage Palace” (out now)
Jim James - Tribute to 2 (December 8)
Mickey Hart - RAMU (November 10)
Miguel - War & Leisure (December 1)
N.E.R.D. - “Lemon” (out now)
Nick Hodgson - Tell Your Friends (January 26)
Ought - Room Inside the World (February 16)
Palm - Rock Island (February 9)
Pinegrove - “Intrepid” (out now)
Skepta - Vicious (out now)
Twin Peaks - “With You”/“Just Because” (out now)

New Music Friday - August 18, 2017

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

The Duke Spirit - Sky Is Mine I hear woefully little about The Duke Spirit from music publications. Anymore, I know they're releasing new music because I'm on their mailing list. They may have reached the peak of their popularity, stateside at least, around 2009, but they're still releasing spectacular music. Their fifth album is more ballad-focused than prior releases, but still a spectacular showcase for frontwoman Leila Moss' vocals and the band's range of alternative rock influences. Watch: "Magenta" Watch: "Houses"

Grizzly Bear - Painted Ruins It's been five years since Grizzly Bear's last record, 2012's spectacular Shields. Around that time, many were lauding the band as the quintessential indie band of the late 2000s/early 2010s. A lot has changed since, though. Formerly "indie" acts have enjoyed some crossover success and there's been a rise of bedroom acts and the software to support that type of creation. The new album feels more rooted in the existing sounds the band have developed, a move that offers a bit of familiarity in the ever-changing music landscape. Watch: "Neighbors" Watch: "Mourning Sound"

Other Full-Length Releases

Cloakroom - Time Well Watch: "The Sun Won’t Let Us Go" Watch: "Concrete Gallery"

Dent May - Across the Multiverse Watch: "Picture on a Screen" Watch: "Across the Multiverse" (featuring Frankie Cosmos)

Everything Everything - A Fever Dream Watch: "Desire" Watch: "Can’t Do"

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard - Sketches of Brunswick East Listen: "The Book" Listen: "Sketches of Brunswick East I"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

A$AP Ferg - Still Striving Listen: "Olympian" (featuring Dave East) Listen: "Trap and a Dream" (featuring Meek Mill)

Alice Glass - Alice Glass Watch: "Without Love" Listen: "Forgiveness"

inc. no world - Living Watch: "Living" Listen: "Complete"

Interpol - Our Love to Admire Reissue Watch: "The Heinrich Maneuver" Watch: "Mammoth"

Samantha Urbani - Policies of Power EP Watch: "Go Deeper" Listen: "1 2 3 4"