Saturday, December 29, 2018

New Music Friday - December 28, 2018

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Full-Length Releases




Fashion Brigade - Fvck the Heartache


Listen: "Fvck the Heartache"
Listen: "Kissyface"

Saturday, December 22, 2018

New Music Friday - June 8, 2018

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases



Jorja Smith - Lost & Found

Lost & Found is the debut album from this young British singer. Her style is a jazz-inflected R&B that's a bit reminiscent of Amy Winehouse's music. Prior to this album, she made a name for herself through collaborations, including with Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Kali Uchis.

Watch: "Let Me Down" (featuring Stormzy)
Watch: "On Your Own"




Lykke Li - so sad so sexy

Li has been one of my favorite artists for the better part of the past decade, and this is her fourth album. She subtly shifts her style from album to album, with this being her most straightforward pop outing (though pop has always been a part of her style). It's another great record from a great artist!

Watch: "deep end"
Watch: "hard rain"


Other Full-Length Releases



Kadhja Bonet - Childqueen

Listen: "Childqueen"
Listen: "Mother Maybe"


Lily Allen - No Shame

Watch: "Trigger Bang" (featuring Giggs)
Watch: "Lost My Mind"


Snail Mail - Lush

Watch: "Pristine"
Watch: "Heat Wave"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.



Angelique Kidjo - Remain in Light

Watch: "Born Under Punches"
Watch: "Once in a Lifetime"

New Music Friday - December 21, 2018

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Full-Length Releases




Chewing - Pacific Ocean Blue


Listen: "Moonshine" (featuring Cults)
Listen: "River Song" (featuring Local Natives)

Sunday, December 16, 2018

New Music Friday - June 1, 2018

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases



Father John Misty - God’s Favorite Customer

Josh Tillman has been a very prolific artist since starting his career in 2004, with 12 album both under the name J. Tillman and under his newer moniker, Father John Misty. He's followed up his last record, 2017's Pure Comedy, fairly quickly, with an album he jokingly referred to as its Pure Comedy 2 while touring for the previous record.

Watch: "Mr. Tillman"
Watch: "Date Night"




LUMP - LUMP

LUMP is the latest record from the spectacular Laura Marling, partnering with Mike Lindsay of TUNNG. It's a short, but sweet album. Vocally, the record is similar to her solo work, but Lindsay's involvement lends a different instrumentation to her sound.

Watch: "Curse of the Contemporary"
Watch: "May I Be the Light"




Natalie Prass - The Future and the Past

Prass scrapped the initial follow-up to her 2015 self-titled debut following the 2016 election. A different record came out of her frustration with the results. She channels those frustrations into an R&B-inflected record that calls for unity in these times.

Watch: "Short Court Style"
Watch: "The Fire"




Neko Case - Hell-On

Only Neko Case could make me look beyond the worst album art I've seen this year (I'm sorry Neko, though I still love you). She is as masterful as ever on her seventh album, showcasing the sounds she's developed both as a solo artist and with The New Pornographers, as well as introducing some new ideas.

Watch: "Last Lion of Albion"
Watch: "Curse of the I-5 Corridor" (featuring Mark Lanegan)




The Saxophones - Songs of The Saxophones

The Saxophones are the husband-wife duo of Alexi Erenkov and Alison Alderdice. They've released a series of short EPs together over the past couple of year, this is their first studio album.

Watch: "Mysteries Revealed"
Listen: "Picture"


Other Full-Length Releases



Ali Shaheed Muhammad & Adrian Younge - The Midnight Hour

Listen: "Black Beacon"
Listen: "Better Endeavor"


Juliana Daugherty - Light

Listen: "Light"
Listen: "Sweetheart"


Oneohtrix Point Never - Age Of

Watch: "Black Snow"
Watch: "The Station"


Phil Cook - PEOPLE ARE MY DRUG

Watch: "Miles Away" (featuring Amelia Meath)
Listen: "Steampowered Blues"


Richard Edwards - Verdugo

Watch: "Minefield"
Listen: "Beekeeper"


Roger Daltrey - As Long As I Have You

Watch: "As Long As I Have You"
Listen: "I’ve Got Your Love"


Sam Evian - You, Forever

Watch: "IDGAF"
Watch: "You, Forever"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.



Cold Cave - You & Me & Infinity EP

Watch: "You & Me & Infinity"
Listen: "My Heart Is Immortal"


The Flaming Lips - Greatest Hits Vol. 1

Watch: "The Captain"
Watch: "Do You Realize??"


Mazzy Star - Still

Watch: "Quiet, the Winter Harbor"
Listen: "Still"


Paul Simon - Graceland - The Remixes

Listen: "Graceland" (MK & KC Lights Remix)
Listen: "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" (Thievery Corporation Remix)

Upcoming Album of the Week (Ending December 15, 2018)

Grammy nominations were announced this week. There was, of course, the usual spate of disappointments, but they'll never please everyone. While there are certainly things I think were overlooked, I'm excited about nods to St. Vincent for Alternative Album of the Year, about half of the best new artist field, and Janelle Monáe and Brandi Carlile for Album of the Year!

As always, be sure to check out albums I'm excited about over at my Upcoming Releases page!

This week, Ben Shemie announced his solo debut, A Skeleton.

exclaim.ca

Shemie is better known as the frontman for the Montreal band Suuns. With Suuns, he has released four albums of avant-garde, progressive rock, including this year's Felt. The band also released a collaborative album with fellow Montréalais Jerusalem in My Heart in 2015.

As described, Shemie's solo album sounds like it will have a similar overall style to his work with him band, but a little more stripped back. The new album was announced on Wednesday along with the title track.



A Skeleton is scheduled for release on February 15.

Also announced recently:

Amanda Palmer - There Will Be No Intermission (March 8)
American Football - American Football (LP3) (March 22)
Charlotte Gainsbourg - Take 2 (out now)
Chewing - Pacific Ocean Blue (December 21)
Czarface & Ghostface Killah - Czarface Meets Ghostface (February 15)
Dave Harrington Group - Pure Imagination, No Country (February 1)
Greg Dulli - “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (out now)
Jonny Greenwood - There Will Be Blood Vinyl Reissue (January 18)
Lambchop - This (is what I wanted to tell you) (March 22)
Linda Ronstadt - Live in Hollywood (February 1)
Mark Morton - Anesthetic (March 1)
Matmos - Plastic Anniversary (March 15)
Our Native Daughters - Songs of Our Native Daughters (February 22)
Prince - 3121 Reissue (February 8)
Prince - Musicology Reissue (February 8)
Prince - Planet Earth Reissue (February 8)
Queens of the Stone Age - “Silent Night” (out now)
Thelma - The Only Thing (February 22)
Woman’s Hour - Ephyra (February 15)
Xiu Xiu - Girl with Basket of Fruit (February 9)

Sunday, December 9, 2018

New Music Friday - May 25, 2018

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases



Aisha Burns - Argonauta

Aisha Burns is a violinist from Texas who contributed to the Balmorhea ensemble before going solo in 2013 with Life in the Midwater. On her sophomore record, she deals with both loss and love.

Listen: "Must Be a Way"
Listen: "We Were Worn"




CHVRCHES - Love Is Dead

This third album from the Scottish trio is their first not to be self-produced, and probably their "poppiest" outing. Interestingly, though representing the band at their most pop, the sole feature on the record comes from the frontman for an established indie band, Matt Berninger of The National.

Watch: "Get Out"
Watch: "Miracle"




Tracyanne & Danny - Tracyanne & Danny

Tracyanne is Tracyanne Campbell of Camera Obscura; Danny is Danny Coughlan, also known as Crybaby. The two are close friends, but joined up for a new project following the death of Camera Obscura's Carey Lander from a rare form of cancer in 2015. Her main act is on hiatus, but this album provides the 60s-inspired guitar pop that Campbell has become known for.

Watch: "Alabama"
Watch: "It Can't Be Love Unless It Hurts"


Other Full-Length Releases



Michael Feuerstack - Natural Weather

Watch: "Nobody Knows"
Watch: "Love Is All Around"


Pusha T - DAYTONA

Listen: "Infrared"
Listen: "What Would Meek Do?"


Wand - Perfume

Watch: "Pure Romance"


Zaytoven - Trap Holizay

Listen: "Back on It" (featuring Offset & Young Scooter)
Listen: "Show It" (featuring Kodak Black, T.I., & Offset)

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.



Destroyer - City of Daughters Vinyl Reissue

Listen: "School, and the Girls Who Go There"
Listen: "No Cease Fires! (Crimes Against the State of Our Love, Baby)"


Destroyer - Thief Vinyl Reissue

Listen: "The Temple"
Listen: "Thief"


Hatchie - Sugar & Spice

Watch: "Sugar & Spice"
Watch: "Sure"


Jenny Hval - The Long Sleep

Watch: "Spells"
Listen: "The Long Sleep"

Saturday, December 1, 2018

Upcoming Album of the Week (Ending December 1, 2018)

I've typically posted new Christmas songs from artists each year, but after this past holiday, it looks like I may need to start posting new Thanksgiving songs as well. The National partnered again with Bob's Burgers for a new song and video, "Save the Bird." If we get an entire Thanksgiving-themed album from them, check it out over at my Upcoming Releases page!

This week, the sister trio TEEN announced their fourth album, Good Fruit.

npr.org

TEEN is currently made up of the three Lieberson sisters, Kristina, Lizzie, and Katherine. They haven't always been a trio, though; they've also boasted other, non-Lieberson members, including Boshra AlSaadi, who left the band in 2017 (though she still contributed to this new record).

The new record reflects on the loss of the Lieberson patriarch and was announced on Wednesday. Along with the announcement, we got a new song and accompanying video for "Only Water."



Good Fruit is set for release on March 1 of next year.

Also announced this week:

Domo Genesis - Facade Records (December 7)
Kaytranada - NOTHIN LIKE U / CHANCES (out now)
Le Butcherettes - bi/MENTAL (February 1)
Telekinesis - Effluxion (February 22)
Vox Lux: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (December 14)

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Upcoming Album of the Week (Ending November 24, 2018)

The Creed II soundtrack was released this past week (the movie came out on Wednesday). I'm excited for the movie, but looking at the tracklist, the soundtrack should be good, as well. The album includes contributions from Rae Sremmurd, Bon Iver, Vince Staples, and Kendrick Lamar.

I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving! As always, check out the new music I'm looking forward to over at my Upcoming Releases page!

Recently, DAWN announced her fifth solo album, new breed.

bandcamp.com

DAWN (aka D∆WN, aka Dawn Richard) started her career as a member of the made-on-TV girl band, Danity Kane. The group disbanded in 2009, at which point she embarked on a solo career and proved her work to be far more interesting than the R&B/pop of Danity Kane.

While still in the general R&B space, her own work is more experimental, punctuated by a trilogy of concept albums ending with 2016's Redemption. She's released various one-off singles and videos since, and featured on the closing track of Dirty Projector's 2017 self-titled album.



The new album was announced on November 7, along with a new song, "new breed." The album will be released on January 25.



Also announced recently:

And the Kids - When This Life Is Over (February 22)
Cherry Glazerr - Stuffed & Ready (February 1)
Chvrches - Hansa Session EP (December 14)
Conor Oberst - “No One Changes”/“The Rockaways” (February 1)
The Decemberists - Traveling On (December 14)
Earl Sweatshirt - Some Rap Songs (November 30)
Emily King - Scenery (February 1)
FEELS - Post Earth (February 22)
Frakkur - Frakkur 2000-2004 (out now)
Ghostface Killah - Ghost Files (November 30)
Girlpool - What Chaos Is Imaginary (February 1)
Guided By Voices - 1000 Dougs (December 7)
Guided By Voices - 1901 Acid Rock (March)
Guided By Voices - Umlaut Over the Özone (March)
Guided By Voices - Warp and Woof (April)
Guided By Voices - Winecork Stonehenge (December 7)
Guided By Voices - Zeppelin Over China (February 1)
Helado Negro - This Is How You Smile (March 8)
Homeshake - Helium (February 15)
Julia Jacklin - Crushing (February 22)
Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith - Tides: Music for Yoga and Meditation (January 11)
Karen O & Danger Mouse - Lux Prima (December 14)
Kodak Black - DYING TO LIVE (December 14)
Meek Mill - Championships (November 30)
Mercury Rev - Bobbie Gentry’s Delta Sweete Revisited (February 8)
Panda Bear - Buoys (February 8)
Rustin Man - Drift Code (February 1)
The Saxophones - Singing Desperately Suite (February 12)
These New Puritans - “Into the Fire” (out now)
Tyler, The Creator - Music Inspired by Illumination & Dr. Seuss' The Grinch (out now)
Vic Mensa - Hooligans (December 14)
Weezer - The Black Album (March 1)
William Tyler - Goes West (January 25)

Saturday, November 17, 2018

New Music Friday - May 18, 2018

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases



Bombino - Deran

Deran is the sixth album from the Nigerian musician. The album, which follows the Dan Auerbach-produced Nomad, celebrates the artist's culture and heritage. It was recorded in Africa and sung entirely in Tamashek.

Watch: "Deran Deran Alkheir"
Listen: "Tehigren"




Courtney Barnett - Tell Me How You Really Feel

Tell Me How You Really Feel is, somewhat surprisingly, only Barnett's second album. Her body of work is much larger, starting with an acclaimed double EP, A Sea of Split Peas and more recently including, Lotta Sea Lice, a collaboration with Kurt Vile.

Watch: "Nameless, Faceless"
Watch: "Need a Little Time"




Frog Eyes - Violet Psalms

The eighth album from Frog Eyes will also reportedly be the band's last and was followed by a farewell tour. The album was recorded at the home of members Carey Mercer and Melanie Campbell. Although the band has counted members of Wolf Parade and The New Pornographers as bandmates, the record is stripped back to just the four core members.

Watch: "Your Boss’s Shirt"
Listen: "Pay for Fire"




Patrick Paige II - Letters of Irrelevance

Paige is a member of the The Internet, who also released a new album this year. He serves as the band's bassist, but shows off his own voice on his debut. Similar to his work in The Internet, the album combines soul, funk, and hip hop.

Watch: "On My Mind/Charge It to the Game" (featuring Syd & Kari Faux)
Watch: "The Party Song (Do My Dance)" (featuring Fortebowie) / "The Best Policy"




TT - LoveLaws

TT is Theresa Wayman, who is also a member of Warpaint. She's released three albums with her band, including 2016's Heads Up, but LoveLaws is her first solo record.

Watch: "I’ve Been Fine"
Listen: "Love Leaks"


Other Full-Length Releases



Buck Meek - Buck Meek

Listen: "Maybe"
Listen: "Cannonball!"


Now, Now - Saved

Watch: "AZ"
Watch: "MJ"


Parquet Courts - Wide Awake!

Watch: "Almost Had to Start a Fight/In and Out of Patience"
Watch: "Wide Awake"


Quiet Slang - Everything Matters but No One Is Listening

Watch: "Dirty Cigarettes"
Listen: "Noisy Heaven"


Remember Sports - Slow Buzz
Watch: "Pull Through"
Watch: "The 1 Bad Man"


Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Sparkle Hard


Wax Idols - Happy Ending

Watch: "Mausoleum"
Listen: "Heaven Knows"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.



The Breeders - Last Splash Vinyl Reissue

Watch: "Cannonball"
Watch: "Saints"


The Breeders - Mountain Battles Vinyl Reissue

Listen: "Mountain Battles"
Listen: "Bang On"


The Breeders - Pod Vinyl Reissue

Listen: "Hellbound"
Listen: "Glorious"


The Breeders - Title TK Vinyl Reissue

Watch: "Huffer"
Listen: "Off You"


The Fiery Furnaces - Blueberry Boat Vinyl Reissue

Listen: "Quay Cur"
Listen: "Blueberry Boat"


How to Talk to Girls at Parties: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Listen: Xiu Xiu & Mitski - "Between the Breaths"


Jonny Greenwood - Bodysong Reissue

Listen: "Convergence"
Listen: "Splitter"


Otis Redding - Dock of the Bay Sessions

Watch: "(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay"


Paul McCartney - Chaos and Creation in the Backyard Reissue

Listen: "Fine Line"
Listen: "How Kind of You"


Paul McCartney - NEW Reissue

Watch: "New"
Watch: "Queenie Eye"


Paul McCartney - Thrillington Reissue

Listen: "Too Many People"
Listen: "Ram On"


Paul McCartney and Wings - Wings Greatest Reissue

Listen: "Live and Let Die"
Listen: "Junior’s Farm"


Pink Floyd - Pulse Remastered and Expanded

Listen: "Astronomy Domine"
Listen: "What Do You Want from Me"


Pink Floyd - Relics Reissue

Listen: "Arnold Layne"
Listen: "See Emily Play"