Tuesday, May 16, 2023

First Listen: New Releases for 12 May 2023

Artist: Mathilda Brink
Album: Glimmingen
Quick Thoughts: This one was a surprise for me. Yes, I'm highly likely to take a flier on anything that says "Nordic folk" on it, but this Gothenburg native put together an album of music that is the best of all worlds. It's indie, it's rock, it's folk, it's interesting in so many different ways, and all of them great. This would be a mandatory listen in a busy week, so you have no reason to skip this one.
Songs of Note: "Victory," "Sista Vandningen," "Spela Hogre"

Artist: Alison Goldfrapp
Album: The Love Invention
Quick Thoughts: It's almost a shame that this came out so close to the Jessie Ware album, as this is an absolutely wonderful dance record in every way. Even as a fan of Goldfrapp over the years, there's something special about this record that made me a nearly instant evangelist. The first two songs are really killer efforts, and the rest of the album keeps up through its whole runtime. Easily my favorite listen of the week.
Songs of Note: "Love Invention," "Digging Deeper Now," "In Electric Blue," "Gatto Gelato"

Artist: Boogey the Beat
Album: Cousins
Quick Thoughts: There has been a pretty sizable increase in the amount of modern indigeonous music hitting the airwaves in recent years. Part of it, for sure, is that the internet makes it easier to find it. The other part, though? It's just really, really good. We're fans of Snotty Nose Rez Kids here, and their guest spots on Boogey the Beat's latest brings a little additional street credit to its traditional influence. They aren't club bangers the way Otyken tries to make it work, but it's unabashedly indigeonous while still remaining fun and accessible for the rest of us. Check this one out.
Songs of Note: "Run for Cover," "Tapwe," "Cousins," "The Sage is on Fire," "My Bike"

Artist: Dropkick Murphys
Album: Okemah Rising
Quick Thoughts: I know that living in Massachusetts requires me to at least enjoy "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" by statute, but the Dropkicks and their brand of New England working class Irish punk has never truly grabbed me. It's fine - different strokes and all that. With all this said, I did not anticipate enjoying this album as much as I did. It's a little low-key and softer than what their reputation would tell us. It's also built around unused Woody Guthrie lyrics and yeah, "Run Hitler Run" is a fun anti-fascist romp that acts as a nice reminder that the Dropkicks haven't lost their punk cred even if a twang-influenced "Shipping" follows eight Guthrie tunes. Check this out.
Songs of Note: "Gotta Get to Peeskill," "Run Hitler Run," "I'm Shipping Up to Boston (Tulsa Version)"

Of note:

* Savannah Conley - Playing the Part of You is Me (Many great moments throughout this listen.)
* The KVB - Artefacts (Reimaginings from the Original Psychadelic Era) (Gloomwave covers of 1960s tunes.)
* Libby Rodenbough - Between the Blades
* Daisies - Great Big Open Sky
* Magic Wands - Switch
* LONE WOLF - HAZE WAVE
* Eluvium - (Whirring Marvels In) Consensus Reality
* MindsOne and RizzyBeats - The Time Space Continuum Redux
* Iguana Death Cult - Echo Palace
* Charlotte Cornfield - Could Have Done Anything
* Oval - Romantiq
* Emma Frank - Interiors
* Waterbaby - 22° Halo
* Overmono - Good Lies
* Island of Love - Island of Love
* Colin Stetson - When we were that what wept for the sea

EPs:

* Reklama - Who Swallowed Who?
* Midwife and Vyva Melinkolya - Orbweaving
* DJ Sabrina the Teenage DJ - Something New and Doubts
* Madeline Goldstein - Other World
* Rezzett - Boshly
* Sister Ray - Teeth
* Planet Loser - Anyone But Me
* Njomza - Stages

Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

* Moby - Resound NYC
* Grandaddy - Sumday: The Cassette Demos

Also out:

* Simon and the Astronauts and Gustaf Ljunggren - Simon and the Astronauts and Gustaf Ljunggren
* Bobby Harden and The Soulful Saints - Bridge of Love
* RP Boo - Legacy Volume 2

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