Upcoming Album of the Week (Ending January 7)

Happy New Year everyone! Regardless of how we feel about last year, 2016 was a great year for music. 2017 is shaping up to be just as good; check out my Upcoming Releases page to see some of what will be coming out!

This week, The Shins announced their first album in five years, Heartworms.

brooklynvegan.com

The Shins' previous record, Port of Morrow, itself came after a five-year break and massive shift in the band's lineup. Actually, frontman James Mercer was the only original member left after parting with (or perhaps firing) the other founding members.

This follow-up sees a similar shift, only one new member who came on board for Port of Morrow, Yuuki Matthews, is still around. Perhaps this was due to Mercer's desire to return the band's earlier sound for the record.

We'll find out if he succeeded when the album is released on March 10.

Also announced this week:

Jens Lekman - Life Will See You Now (February 17)
Julien Baker - “Funeral Pyre” (March 17)
Paul Shaffer and The World’s Most Dangerous Band - Paul Shaffer and The World’s Most Dangerous Band (March 17)
Sleater-Kinney - Live in Paris (January 27)
Weyes Blood & Ariel Pink - Myths 002 (January 27)