Tuesday, September 10, 2019

First Listen: New Releases for 6 September


Artist: Rachel Harrington
Album: Hush the Wild Horses
Quick Description: Superlative roots music.
Why You Should Listen: This was a pleasant surprise this week, and worth it for Americana fans.
Overall Thoughts: This is the roots record I’ve been waiting for but didn’t realize it. An authentic, gritty album with appeal across the board, this is something that I feel like could be a real grower in a lot of ways. Especially since some of the higher-profile county/roots records this week didn’t grab me, I’m glad this one did.
Recommendation: Check it out.


Artist: Miss June
Album: Bad Luck Party
Quick Description: Noisy-but-wonderful punk rock.
Why You Should Listen: You're feeling kind of angsty.
Overall Thoughts: Sometimes you just get a loud, brash punk record that hits the right buttons, and this is it. Miss June is not trying to reinvent the wheel, but the good production and better songs make this feel like something a little different than what you may expect.
Recommendation: Don’t sleep on this.


Artist: Blushing
Album: Blushing
Quick Description: Another solid fuzzy surprise.
Why You Should Listen: This is the shoegaze record you've been waiting on.
Overall Thoughts: This is a sneaky great shoegazey record with all the right fixings. Loud at times, anthemic at others, this one surprised me in part because you do not expect much like this these days and in part because it is just so good. This album grabbed me for good at “Pressure,” but the whole thing is worth your time.
Recommendation: Give it a listen.


Artist: Pom Pom Squad
Album: Ow
Quick Description: Great alt-indie music.
Why You Should Listen: Pom Pom Squad has been putting out quality music for a while, and hopefully this raises their profile.
Overall Thoughts: Typically, I don't spend a lot of time with the seven song albums-that-should-be-EPs, but I'm making an exception for Pom Pom Squad this week. This album is a great, interesting, grungy affair that fans of the 90s rock revival might find fun. I've loved "Heavy Heavy" for a while now, and the whole thing is worth a listen if only because we need more of this in the long run.
Recommendation: A great, short listen.


Artist: Frankie Cosmos
Album: Close it Quietly
Quick Description: New album from an indie/folk favorite.
Why You Should Listen: This is a solid, accessible listen.
Overall Thoughts: I really like Frankie Cosmos, and I think this is my favorite effort from the act/band/songwriter. Still filled with super short songs that pack a ton of punch, this is a really great effort that may just as well work as a great entrypoint if you're not on board yet as much as her best album yet.
Recommendation: Don't miss this one.

Of note:

* The Highwomen - The Highwomen (Very good, but I am not the target audience for a lot of reasons)
* Tennis System - Lovesick (Solid post-punk)
* Iggy Pop - Free (Surprisingly compelling)
* Melanie Martinez - K-12 (If you haven't #canceled her, give it a listen)
* Bat for Lashes - Lost Girls (Her best effort in a while, even if it's what you expect)
* Bonniesongs - Energetic Minds
* Pyramid Thieves - Century Fader
* Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear - Started With a Family
* The Brand New Heavies - TBNH
* Mermaidens - Look Me In the Eye
* Emma Frank - Come Back
* Darren Hayman - Songs of High Altitude
* Ana Egge - Is It The Kiss
* These Wild Plains - Thrilled to Be Here
* Jason Tyler Burton - Kentuckian

EPs:

* Aleissa Cara - This Summer (Some of her best work is on this EP)
* Death Cab for Cutie - The Blue EP
* Qveen Herby - The Vignettes
* +/- - Summer 19: Extended Play
* Snow Patrol - Reworked EP 2

Also out:

* SOPHIE - OIL OF EVERY PEARL'S UN-INSIDES NON-STOP REMIX ALBUM
* Adam Green - Engine of Paradise
* Ras Kass - Soul on Fire 2

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