My Favorite Things of the Week

Good news from the world of '90s alternative rock, John Frusciante is rejoining the Red Hot Chili Peppers! Frusciante has been the on-again-off-again as the guitarist for the group, last leaving the band in 2009. He was replaced by Josh Klinghoffer, who is now departing. I'm excited to see what their next album will sound like with the iconic guitarist back in the fold!

As always, keep an eye on my Upcoming Releases page for new music that I'm excited about!

Lizzo has released several music videos for tracks from her third album, Cuz I Love You. Though she previously released a video for "Good as Hell," she released another video for the track this week. This video sees her joining up with the Southern University marching band in multiple roles; including bandleader, flutist, and dancer. The video brought out some real marching band nostalgia for me!

As beloved an artist as Frank Ocean is, I've heard surprisingly few covers from his contemporaries. This week, Nilüfer Yanya offered her take on "Super Rich Kids," for Triple J's Like a Version series.

Greg Dulli will be releasing a new solo album early next year, and released the album's first single, "Pantomima." The song bodes well for a great album from the artist!

The next album from The Flaming Lips will be a collaborative album with Deap Vally.

brooklynvegan.com

The two bands have formed a new group, called Deap Lips, and will release a self-titled album on March 13. The collaboration is one that is both surprising, and perfectly sensical.

Other upcoming albums:

Alanis Morissette - Such Pretty Forks in the Road (May 1)
Brian Fallon - Local Honey (March 27)
Caribou - Suddenly (February 28)
Cindy Lee - What’s Tonight to Eternity (February 14)
Dirty Projectors - Sing the Melody (out now)
Greg Dulli - Random Desire (February 21)
Halsey - Manic (January 17)
Kaytranada - BUBBA (out now)
Khruangbin & Leon Bridges - Texas Sun (February 7)
M. Ward - Migration Stories (April 3)
The Professionals - The Professionals (January 17)
Swamp Dogg - Sorry You Couldn’t Make It (March 6)
Wrekmeister Harmonies - We Love to Look at the Carnage (February 21)

My Favorite Things of the Week

I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We spent it, as usual, visiting family in North Carolina. New music tends to slow down during holiday weeks, but here are some of the things I've found recently and love!

I don't have a favorite cover this week, but instead a remix. Jlin is an IDM and electronic music artist from Indiana, known for a percussion-heavy, rhythmic sound. She has brought that sound to St. Vincent's "Smoking Section," from her most recent album.

Freddie Gibbs and Madlib released a collaborative album, Bandana, back in June. They've released numerous music videos for tracks from the album, most revolving around a drug lord character played by Gibbs. In the latest, for "Gat Damn," he plays a cantankerous 80s-style R&B frontman. What amuses me most about the video is the fictional band's violinist; whether intentional or not, I get a kick out of how he holds the instrument.

Dan Bejar sat out the most recent albums from The New Pornographers but will be returning with a new album from Destroyer in January. He has already released one new song, "Crimson Tide," from the album and returned last week with "It Just Doesn't Happen."

Stormzy announced a new album!

factmag.com

He is a grime and hip hop artist from London. He developed an appeal far beyond his home country with his debut album, 2017's Gang Signs & Prayer. After releasing a handful of songs, he recently announced his follow-up, Heavy Is the Head, which is set for release on December 13.

Some more albums to get excited about!

Avey Tare - Conference of Birds/Birds in Disguise (December 5)
Max Bloom - “Bottle” (out now)
Morrissey - I Am Not a Dog on a Chain (March)
Nada Surf - Never Not Together (February 7)
Nicolas Godin - Concrete and Glass (January 24)
PARTYNEXTDOOR - TBA (January)
Rebecca Foon - Waxing Moon (February 21)
Selena Gomez - TBA (January 10)
The Turning (Original Music Picture Soundtrack) (January 24)