First Listen: New Releases for 22 November

Reaching the doldrums of winter, so some catchup along with the new releases...

Artist: Hannah Diamond
Album: Reflections
Quick Description: Glitchy off-center pop music.
Why You Should Listen: This is progressive pop of the best kind.
Overall Thoughts: Probably the best known of the PC Music crowd, this Hannah Diamond album feels almost reserved and straightforward in its approach. This works more often than not, given the whole, but the tight and compressed sound in place here is generally at its best when things get a little weird. If the last month or so of odd pop music has been a little too far gone for you, this might be the entrypoint you were looking for, but longtime fans should be pleased with this offering.
Recommendation: A great listen.

Artist: Sarah Jane Scouten
Album: Confessions
Quick Description: New album from a great folkie.
Why You Should Listen: Even in a busy week, this would be worth hearing.
Overall Thoughts: This is just a great rootsy effort. Has a bit of a smoky cookout setting feel to it in a lot of ways, but also feels a lot more substantive than that. I liked her previous record a lot, so this continues along the same line, and with great results.
Recommendation: Make time for this.

Of note:

* Labrinth - Imagination & the Misfit Kid (above-average, interesting hip-hop/R&B)
* Danny Brown - uknowhatimsayin¿ (Really enjoyed this rap album.)
* Come On Up to the House: Women Sing Waits (Grab what you like from this solid Tom Waits tribute)
* Scott H. Biram - Sold Out to the Devil (Great old-time gospel tracks.)
* Girl Ray - Girl
* Gabriel Birnbaum - Not Alone
* Joseph - Good Luck, Kid
* The Sheila Divine - Beginning of the End is Where We'll Start Again
* Emilia - Down to the Sadness River

EP:

* Nasty Cherry - Season One
* Ruthie - Universal Heartbreak Now

7 Song Album:

* Amy Klein - Winter/Time
* Novabound - Sevenths

Also out:

* Ben Lee - Quarter Century Classix
* Slaine - One Day
* Beck - Hyperspace
* Coldplay - Everyday Life
* Tinashe - Songs for You
* Deluxe - Boys & Girl
* Cat Casual and the Final Word - The Secret Self
* Twain - Adventure