First Listen: New Releases for 26 April 2024

Artist: Joh Chase
Album: Solo
Quick Thoughts: Joh Chase has gotten some worthwhile attention in this place as of late, with "Avalanche" a certified killer track, and I'm happy to inform you that their whole album is absolutely stellar. "Gone" and "TV of Your Mind" are both in constant rotation in my head, and this roots-esque singer-songwriter effort is not one to be missed. A mandatory listen this week.
Songs of Note: "Gone," "Avalanche," "When I Got This Place," "TV of Your Mind," "Smoother," "To Forget You"

Artist: Willson Williams
Album: Willson Williams
Quick Thoughts: The duo of Kathryn Williams and Dan Willson (aka Withered Hand) come together with a record very much in the folk tradition, but with a little more polish and feeling than a lot of other albums like it. I found myself going back to a lot of songs here over the weekend, and it's a really solid listen that shouldn't be overlooked.
Songs of Note: "R U 4 Real," "Sing Out," "Elvis," "Big Nothing"

Artist: The Carnivals
Album: Fiesta Time
Quick Thoughts: The Carnivals have provided me with the closest thing to the Two Man Gentlemen Band that I've heard in a decade. They're accomplished musicians that keep their tongue firmly in cheek without being overbearing or exhausting. If you can stop taking yourself too seriously, this is worth some time.
Songs of Note: "Moonlight on the Levee," "Greasy Pole," "Low Tide Society," "My Key Don't Fit," "Alimony," "I'm Gonna Let It Show"

Artist: Lawrence Rothman
Album: The Plow That Broke the Plains
Quick Thoughts: Honestly, I came for the multiple guest spots, but stayed for a pure country album that just works. "LAX" is nearly perfect, "Poster Child" as representative as they come. Not a ton to say except that, if you like roots music, make time.
Songs of Note: "LAX," "Poster Child," "Twin Flames," "R. Blood," "Drugstore Bummin'"

Artist: Arrows of Athena
Album: The Ghost Archives
Quick Thoughts: I wanted to give a shout out to Boston duo Arrows of Athena for putting out an awesome alt-rock record this week. This was one where I really went "whoa" a few songs in and got fully hooked by the end. Do not miss out on this, it's a great rock record.
Songs of Note: "Life's Just Weird," "Insanity," "80's vs. 90's"

Of note:

* asuka ando - Double Happiness (It's Japanese reggae, which is exactly what you'd expect.)
* The Lostines - Meet the Lostines (Think First Aid Kit if they came out of a time machine from the late 1960s/early 1970s)
* Babylove and The Van Dangos - Leave me here to my quixotic moods
* Liz Brasher - Baby Damn
* Parsnip - Behold
* Mister Goblin - Frog Poems
* Winters Lane - Trails
* Rural France - Exactamondo!
* Eye - Dark Light
* Iron and Wine - Light Verse
* Baula - heavy heart, no tears
* Six Organs of Admittance - Time is Glass
* Charley Crockett - $10 Cowboy
* The Goalie's Anxiety at the Penalty Kick - The Iliad and The Odyssey and The Goalie's Anxiety at the Penalty Kick
* ellis - no place that feels like
* Brother Ali and unJUST - Love & Service
* Pet Shop Boys - Nonetheless
* Taraneh - New Age Prayer
* Laura Carbone - The Cycle
* St. Vincent - All Born Screaming
* Justice - Hyperdrama
* Babehoven - Water's Here in You
* puigbaby - i don't care if anyone listens to this shit once you do
* Jess Glynne - JESS
* Lucy Rose - This Ain't the Way You Go Out
* Mandy - Lawn Girl
* Hovvdy - Hovvdy
* Tara Jane O'Neil - The Cool Cloud of Okayness
* Bullion - Affection
* Sega Bodega - Dennis
* Microwave - Let's Start Degeneracy
* The Zutons - The Big Decider
* Momus - Yikes!
* Nisa - Shapeshifting
* HONESTY - BOX
* Grr Ant - Once Upon a Time in Battersea

* EPs:

* Margaret Glaspy - The Sun Doesn't Think
* Katy Pinke - Katy Pinke
* Still Dreams - ひかり
* Timmy Trumper - Timmy Trumpet's SINPHONY No. 2
* Cash Lansky - Man of the House
* Billy Tibbals - Nightlife Stories

Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

* Thom Yorke - Confidenza (Original Soundtrack)
* Love, LA
* fabric presents Shygirl

Also out:

* Adult Jazz - So Sorry So Slow