Tuesday, November 27, 2018

First Listen: New Releases for 23 November

The record labels are too busy shopping to release much new music this week, so this also covers some interesting ones we missed.

Album of the Week:


Artist: Various Artists
Album: EMO-TION
Quick Description: Charity compilation from a Boston label that provides emo-esque covers of Carly Rae Jepson's E-MO-TION
Why You Should Listen: This is a solid effort around a solid album, and you may even see this as benefiting a solid cause!
Overall Thoughts: The pop album of our era gets a rock treatment, with great efforts for "Boy Problems," for "I Didn't Just Come Here to Dance," and "Making the Most of the Night." I am all about this and you will likely be as well whether you're a fan of Carly Rae, of the associated acts, or none of the above. It's great fun.
Recommendation: A must hear.


Artist: Moving Units
Album: This is Six
Quick Description: Latest from the dance-rock vets.
Why You Should Listen: Moving Units has somehow figured out how to make their sound current while not losing what makes them great.
Overall Thoughts: At eight songs, this is a shorter effort for the act, but no matter - the music is still solid and they are staying well within their lane while still feeling fresh. I am continually impressed that this band has stayed relevant even as this style has faded, but that should not be an indication to skip this one. Instead, either enjoy the nostalgia of a decade ago or enjoy something new.
Recommendation: Listen to this.


Artist: My Brightest Diamond
Album: A Million and One
Quick Description: Latest dancey effort by the singer.
Why You Should Listen: This is an interesting and ambitious listen on a whole.
Overall Thoughts: I can't say I'm terribly familiar with My Brightest Diamond on a whole, but this album made me want to hear a lot more. This is a pretty danceable record with some interesting-but-poppy efforts on songs like "Champagne" that make this work on a whole.
Recommendation: Worth your time.


Artist: Oldsoul
Album: Coy
Quick Description: Solid indie rock.
Why You Should Listen: This has a deliberative quality to it that's often lacking in indie rock like this.
Overall Thoughts: One of two bands this week I found through the Carly Rae tribute, Oldsoul is a band I've come to really like and the fact that they have two songs on the album referencing Twin Peaks doesn't hurt. There is a lot of great stuff happening on this album ("Good Girl" a solid highlight), and while it doesn't have a grungy quality like many of the current indie acts out there, this has an early Death Cab feel that I am finding very appealing right now.
Recommendation: Don't let this one slip under your radar the way it slipped under ours.


Artist: Art Brut
Album: Wham! Bang! Pow! Let's Rock Out!
Quick Description: A return to form for the British indie act.
Why You Should Listen: They have some stone cold classics, and this album is very reminiscent of them.
Overall Thoughts: I've loved Art Brut from the day I first heard them. The delivery is weird, they're not quite like anything else (except perhaps a nerdy Blur's "Parklife" all the time), and yeah. They haven't produced new music in years, but this is like they haven't missed a beat. A favorite this week, for sure.
Recommendation: Art Brut has always been a must-listen, this week is no different.

Of note:

* Ed Harcourt - Beyond the End (Gorgeous, quiet instrumentals.)
* Holly Golightly - Do the Get-Along (Solid listen from a British vet.)
* Surface to Air Missive - Surface II Air Missive
* Cheer Up - Sleep Debt
* Big Jay McNeely - I'm Still Here - Big Jay Sings the Blues

EPs:

* Rachel Baiman - Thanksgiving
* Oneohtix Point Never - Love in the Time of Lexapro
* Death From Above 1979 - Heads Up Demos
* Cults - Offering B-Sides and Demos
* The Room in the Wood - The Mars EP
* Lake Street Dive - Freak Yourself Out

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