My Favorite Things of the Week

Bob's Burgers is one of my favorite shows on TV, it's unexpected collaborations with some of my favorite musicians makes it even better. The National has been a constant presence on the show, but Fiona Apple has now lent her voice for this year's Halloween episode! There have already been Bob's Burgers albums released, so when we inevitably get the next edition, check it out on my Upcoming Releases page!

Omni has a sound characterized by jangly, precise guitar work. They will be releasing their third album, Networker, next month. They've previously released two songs from the records and released their latest, "Courtesy Call," this week.

A lot of covers make some sort of sense, artists cover other musicians that have inspired their sound in some evident way, or they cover contemporaries. Others seem to come out of nowhere, like (Sandy) Alex G's recent cover of Shania Twain's "You're Still the One."

Aldous Harding's videos find a way to be both strange and straightforward at the same time. Her latest video, for "Zoo Eyes," is no different, featuring the singer lip syncing her lyrics, but in a variety of outlandish costumes and epic makeup.

thesoundofvinyl.com

Jack Peñate is a British musician who released his most recent album, Everything Is New, back in 2009. Last week, he announced his first album in over a decade, After You. He's released two songs and videos for the album, "Prayer" and "Murder." The album will be released on November 29.

Also announced recently:

Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto - TWO: Live at Sydney Opera House (November 15)

Atlantics (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (November 15)

Beach Slang - The Deadbeat Bang of Heartbreak City (January 10)

The Beatles - The Singles Collection (November 22)

Beck - Hyperspace (November 22)

Bonny Light Horseman - Bonny Light Horseman (January 24)

Emily Yacina - Remember the Silver (December 6)

Fever Ray - Plunge Remix (December 13)

The Flaming Lips - The Soft Bulletin: Live at Red Rocks (November 29)

IDLES - A Beautiful Thing: IDLES Live at Le Bataclan (December 6)

Jonsí & Alex - Lost & Found (out now)

Jorge Elbrecht - Gloss Coma - 002 (December 10)

Lucy Dacus - 2019 (November 8)

Marcus King - El Dorado (January 17)

Mary J. Blige - HERstory, Vol. 1 (December 6)

Matty & Leland Whitty - TBA (November 1)

Mount Kimbie - WXAXRXP (November 15)

Nina Kraviz - MASSEDUCTION Rewired (December 13)

Queen & Slim (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (November 15)

Peter Bjorn and John - Endless Dream (March 13)

Poliça - When We Stay Alive (January 31)

Rata Negra - La Hija Del Sepulturero (November 1)

Robin Richards - Castel (December 6)

Upset - Upset (November 22)

My Favorite Things of the Week

Another decade is coming to a close, which means music sites are posting lists of the best music of the decade. Pitchfork posted their 200 best albums of the 2010s this week. There's still a lot of music to come this year, so check out my Upcoming Releases page to see some of the potentially overlooked records!

Caroline Polachek has an album coming out in just over a week, and released several singles from it well before announcing the record. She released another last week, "So Hot You're Hurting My Feelings," another great showcase for her otherworldly vocals.

Last week, NPR shared video snippets of their Turning the Tables concert, which sought to honor eight influential women who helped shaped popular music. The women recognized were Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Maybelle Carter, Marion Anderson, Ella Fitzgerald, Mary Lou Williams, Celia Cruz, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Contemporary females musicians were brought in to cover some of their most notable songs, including an incredible cover of "Strange Fruit" from Lizz Wright.

Finally, when he passed in 2016, Leonard Cohen was working on an album with his son, Adam. Last week, the resulting record, Thanks for the Dance, was announced. The album will include a number of guest musicians, including Beck, Damien Rice, and Feist. The first single, "The Goal," was also released.

Also announced recently:

Anna of the North - Dream Girl (October 25)
The Band - The Band 50th Anniversary Edition (November 15)
Bob Dylan - Travelin' Thru, 1967–1969: The Bootleg Series Vol. 15 (November 1)
Brooke Candy - SEXORCISM (October 25)
Bryce Dessner - Tenebre (October 11)
Caroline Polachek - Pang (October 18)
Cate Le Bon & Bradford Cox - Myths 004 (November 1)
CUP - Spinning Creature (November 1)
Cursive - Get Fixed (October 11)
DaBaby - KIRK (out now)
DJ Shadow - Our Pathetic Age (November 15)
Dry Cleaning - Boundary Road Snakes and Drinks (October 25)
Field Music - Making a New World (January 10)
Frozen 2 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (November 15)
Georgia - Seeking Thrills (January 10)
Harry Nilsson - Losst and Founnd (November 22)
Hemlock Ernst & Kenny Segal - Back at the House (October 26)
Holy Fuck - Deleter (January 17)
Jimmy Eat World - Surviving (October 18)
Johnny Marr - Single Life (December 6)
Jonathan Fire*Eater - Tremble Under Boom Lights Reissue (October 18)
Josienne Clarke - In All Weather (November 8)
Josh Homme - Desert Sessions Vol. 11 (October 25)
Josh Homme - Desert Sessions Vol. 12 (October 25)
Lee Scratch Perry - Life of the Plants (October 25)
Leonard Cohen - Thanks for the Dance (November 22)
Little Wings - Wonderue Reissue (November 29)
LOOR - Nightland (November 22)
Mariah Carey - Merry Christmas (Deluxe Anniversary Edition) (November 1)
Mount Eerie - Lost Wisdom pt. 2 (November 8)
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Ghosteen (out now)
Nirvana - MTV Unplugged in New York (November 1)
Pick a Piper - Sight (October 18)
Pink Floyd - The Later Years (November 29)
Pluralone - To Be One with You (November 22)
Poppy - I Disagree (January 10)
Robert Glasper - Fuck Yo Feelings (out now)
Robert Plant - Digging Deep (December 13)
Ryuichi Sakamoto - Thousands Knives Of Reissue (November 8)
Smoke Fairies - Darkness Brings the Wonders Home (January 31)
Stars - LaGuardia (December 6)
Sufjan Stevens - The Decalogue (October 18)
Teebs - Anicca (October 25)
Tei Shi - La Linda (November 15)
Ty Segall - Pig Man Lives Volume 1 (November 1)
Van Morrison - Three Chords and the Truth (October 25)
Wished Bone - Sap Season (November 1)

New Music Friday - September 27, 2019

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Emel Mathlouthi - Everywhere We Looked Was Burning Everywhere We Looked Was Burning is the third album from the Tunisian artist. Mathlouthi spent time in Woodstock to write this album, which is inspired both by nature and the current state of the world. Watch: "Footsteps" Watch: "Rescuer"

The New Pornographers - In the Morse Code of Brake Lights This is the eighth album from the incredible (mostly) Canadian indie supergroup, following 2017's Whiteout Conditions. Having sat out for that album, Dan Bejar is unfortunately still not back for this outing. Neko Case is here, though, and that's all I really need in life! Watch: "The Surprise Knock" Watch: "Falling Down the Stairs of Your Smile"

Tegan and Sara - Hey, I’m Just Like You While this the latest record from the twin artists, the songs are some of their oldest, mostly written and demoed when the pair were teenagers. Having delved into a poppier sound on recent records, this one brings them closer to their rock beginnings. Watch: "I’ll Be Back Someday" Watch: "Hey, I’m Just Like You"

Trentemøller - Obverse This new album from the Danish producer follows 2016's Fixion. He brings in some vocal help from the likes of Lina Tullgren, Lisbet Fritze, Rachel Goswell, and jennylee. Watch: "In the Garden" Watch: "Blue September"

Other Full-Length Releases

DaBaby - KIRK Watch: "Intro" Listen: "iPHONE" (featuring Nicki Minaj)

Girl Band - The Talkies Watch: "Shoulderblades" Watch: "Going Norway"

Michaela Anne - Desert Love Watch: "By Our Design" Listen: "Child of the Wind"

Sturgill Simpson - Sound & Fury Watch: "Sing Along" Listen: "Make Art Not Friends"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

The Beatles - Abbey Road 50 Watch: "Here Comes the Sun" (2019 Mix) Listen: "Come Together" (2019 Mix)

Dinosaur Jr. - Green Mind Reissue Listen: "The Wagon" Listen: "Green Mind"

Dinosaur Jr. - Hand It Over Reissue Listen: "Never Bought It" Listen: "I’m Insane"

Dinosaur Jr. - Where You Been Reissue Listen: "Out There" Listen: "Start Choppin'"

Dinosaur Jr. - Without a Sound Reissue Listen: "On the Brink" Listen: "Feel the Pain"

Judy (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Listen: Renée Zellweger - "Get Happy" (featuring Sam Smith) Listen: "For Once in My Life"

Noel Gallagher’s High-Flying Birds - This Is the Place Watch: "This Is the Place" Watch: "Sail On"

The Roots - Things Fall Apart Reissue Listen: "Ain’t Sayin’ Nothin’ New" Listen: "Dynamite!"

Sporting Life - Black Diamond Watch: "Crux" (featuring Mike, & Wiki) Listen: "Black Diamond" (featuring Deem Spencer)

Wild Nothing - Live from Brooklyn Steel Watch: "Canyon on Fire" Listen: "Live in Dreams"