New Music Friday - July 19, 2019

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Nas - The Lost Tapes 2 Nas released the first Lost Tapes in 2002, comprising of unreleased tracks from previous recording sessions. He's back with a second, long-teased collection, featuring out-takes from his 2006 album Hip Hop Is Dead to last year's Nasir. Listen: "Jarreau of Rap" (featuring Al Jarreau, & Keyon Harrold) Listen: "No Bad Energy"

Saul Williams - Encrypted & Vulnerable Encrypted & Vulnerable is the sixth album from Saul Williams, following 2016's LoserMartyrKing. Though he's made a name for himself as a spoken word artist, he considers this to be his first spoken word album. The record also serves as the score for his first film, Neptune Frost. Watch: "Encrypted & Vulnerable" (featuring Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah) Watch: "Experiment"

Other Full-Length Releases

IDER - Emotional Education Watch: "Wu Baby" Listen: "Saddest Generation"

Chuck Cleaver - Send Aid Listen: "Anything" Listen: "Terrible Friend"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

Brian Eno - Apollo: Atmospheres & Soundtracks - Remastered Watch: "An Ending (Ascent)" Listen: "Under Stars"

Daphni - Sizzling EP Listen: "Sizzling" Listen: "If"

The Lion King: The Gift Watch: "Spirit”/“Bigger" Listen: "Brown Skin Girl"

Upcoming Album of the Week (Ending July 20, 2019)

It's been more than two decades since the country supergroup The Highwaymen (Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson) disbanded, but their spiritual successors have been arrived: The Highwaywomen, made up of Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Amanda Shires, Natalie Hemby.

No need to wait for an album, they announced one this week, check it out over it my Upcoming Releases page!

This week, Vivian Girls returned with their fourth album, Memory.

stereogum.com

Vivian Girls is an amazing lo-fi band with members Cassie Ramone, Katy Goodman, and Ali Koehler, and also counts former members Fiona Campbell, and Frankie Rose. All of them have amazing solo careers and side projects. Vivian Girls itself disbanded in 2014.

I wasn't expecting any news from the band, but this week, they announced their return and the reunion album. Memory is set to be released on September 20 and includes the lead single "Sick."

Also announced this week:

Anna Meredith - FIBS (October)
Blood Orange - Angel’s Pulse (out now)
Bon Iver - i,i (August 30)
Brockhampton - Ginger (August)
Chance The Rapper - The Big Day (July 26)
Chastity Belt - Chastity Belt (September 20)
Common - Let Love (August 30)
Fitz and The Tantrums - All the Feels (September 20)
The Highwaywomen - The Highwaywomen (September 6)
Iggy Pop - Free (September 6)
Jenny Hval - The Practice of Love (September 13)
Joan Shelley - Like the River Loves the Sea (August 30)
The Lion King: The Gift (out now)
Little Scream - Speed Queen (October 25)
Long Beard - Means to Me (August 30)
Lykke Li - still sad still sexy (July 26)
M83 - DSVII (September 20)
The Music Of Red Dead Redemption II: Original Score (August 9)
One True Pairing - One True Pairing (September 20)
Tegan and Sara - Hey, I’m Just Like You (September 27)
Touché Amoré - Dead Horse X (August 9)
Twin Peaks - Lookout Low (September 13)
Uniform & The Body - Everything That Dies Someday Comes Back (August 16)
Wilco - Ode to Joy (October 4)

Upcoming Album of the Week (Ending July 6, 2019)

Halle Bailey, one-half of the sister duo Chloe x Halle, was recently cast as Ariel in Disney's latest live action reboot of one of their classic properties, The Little Mermaid. The casting was a surprise, to me at least, but a great choice nonetheless. I'll be interested to hear her voice on re-recordings of some of those classic Disney songs!

There will definitely be a soundtrack for this, so when it's announced, look for it over on my Upcoming Releases page!

Recently, Brittany Howard announced her debut solo album, Jaime.

stereogum.com

Howard is probably best known as the frontwoman the bluesy, soulful roots rock band Alabama Shakes, with which she's released two albums. She's also embarked on a couple of side projects, Thunderbitch and Bermuda Triangle.

Named for her deceased sister, Howard announced Jaime a couple of weeks ago and released the album's lead single, "History Repeats."

Also announced recently:

Belle and Sebastian - Days of the Bagnold Summer (September 13)
Daniel Caesar - CASE STUDY 01 (out now)
Friendly Fires - Inflorescent (August 16)
Hesitation Wounds - Chicanery (August 30)
Joyero - Release the Dogs (August 23)
KAZU - Adult Baby (September 13)
The Lion King Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (July 11)
Nas - The Lost Tapes 2 (July 12)
Oh Sees - Face Stabber (August 16)
Perera Elsewhere - THRILL (September 6)
Saul Williams - Encrypted & Vulnerable (July 18)
Snail Mail - Habit (August 30)
Trentemøller - Obverse (September 27)
The Velvet Underground - The Complete Matrix Tapes (July 12)