Artist: Benjamin Booker
Album:
Lower
Quick Thoughts: Well, this was unexpected in all the best ways. We've been high on Benjamin Booker since he first hit our radar, and he kind of disappeared for a few years. What I don't think anyone saw coming was a raw, hip-hop beat-drenched return that feels immediate and prescient for These Times in particular. I initially thought that this may have been produced by Dave Fridmann of The Flaming Lips in terms of its drums and approach, to give a comparison of sorts. Either way, this is absolutely the best listen of the week and the first truly superior album of 2025. Don't miss it.
Songs of Note: "Black Opps," "LWA in the Trailer Park," "Rebecca Latimer Felton Takes a BBC," "New World," "Same Kind of Lonely"
Artist: Mogwai
Album:
The Bad Fire
Quick Thoughts: Mogwai is fairly legendary for their brand of shoegazey post-rock, and
The Bad Fire continues their basically unparalleled run as a band. It's loud, it's brash, it's got its share of melodic hooks, and I really enjoyed this album as a longtime fan. Give it a spin.
Songs of Note: "Hi Chaos," "What Kind of Mix is This," "Fanzine Made of Flesh," "18 Volcanoes," "Lion Rumpus"
Artist: FKA Twigs
Album:
EUSEXUA
Quick Thoughts: FKA Twigs' latest album is a diversion from the sort of R&B deconstruction that she made her name in many music circles on. Is it more mainstream and accessible? Yes, for sure, and I was initially taken aback by the opening title track for its more direct nature. In as much as I got into FKA Twigs because of her more future-looking approach, it's not surprising that I'm drawn more to songs like "Drums of Death" here, but the album remains a solid listen and will perhaps give her the hits and popularity she's deserved all this time. Worth your time this week.
Songs of Note: "Eusexua," "Perfect Stranger," "Drums of Death," "Childlike Things"
Artist: ALT BLK ERA
Album:
Rave Immortal
Quick Thoughts: This showed up on a release list and was put forward as a hip-hop/electronia hybrid, and it is reminiscent of a lot of those late 1990s acts, but also bands that tried (and often failed) to mesh the electronic taste of the moment with traditional alt-rock. ALT BLK ERA avoids this to a point by rooting their stylistic choice in a prior era, and while it can be a jolt to the senses from time to time, it also takes an approach that is really enjoyable and unique. Not quite retro, not like anything else - give it a listen.
Songs of Note: "Straight to Heart," "Crashing Parties," "Hunt You Down," "Come Fight Me For It," "Run Rabbit"
Artist: VUKOVI
Album:
MY GOD HAS GOT A GUN
Quick Thoughts: New to me, but VUKOVI's fourth album is a snythy car crash of rage that worked so, so well for me. Didn't want to lose track of this one this week, but it has a bit of a modern nu-metal feel without giving you the impression that you're listening to some new incarnation of Limp Bizkit or early Paramore. It's a great listen, and worth your time.
Songs of Note: "MY GOD HAS GOT A GUN," "FUC KIT UP," "SNO," "PEEL"
Of note:
* Drew and Ellie Holcomb - Memory Bank (A great trad-country duet effort from the married roots couple.)
* Platinum Max - Worst Rapper Alive (AEW wrestler's rap debut album - if you didn't know he had bars before, you will now.)
* Songhoy Blues - Heritage
* Young Franco - It's Franky Baby!
* Midori Hirano and Brueder Selke - Split Scale
* Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis, and Karine Polwart - Looking for the Thread
* Dax Riggs - 7 Songs For Spiders
* Laura Cahen - De l'autre cote
* Anna B Savage - You and I Are Earth
* Orchid Mantis - Rain Tape
* High. - Come Back Down
* David Greay - Dear Life
* DITZ - Never Exhale
* Oh the Humanity! - Ground to Dust
* Superfan - Forging Seasonal Signature With My Guitar
* Tunng - Love You All Over Again
* Dilettante - Life of the Party
* Charm School - DEBT FOREVER
* flipturn - Burnout Days
* Vanessa Amara - cafe LIFE
* Cecelia Castleman - Cecelia Castleman
* Avatarium - Between You, God, The Devil and The Dead
* Sam Amidon - Salt River
* The Veils - Asphodels
* Open Head - What Is Success
* Hell Nancy - American Singles
EPs:
* Joshua Idehen - Mum Does the Washing EP
* Jonus Eric - Diode
* Emily Mikesell and Kate Campbell Strauss - Give Way
* Cape Crush / Good June / Impossible Dog - Good Dogs Wear Capes
* horsegiirL - v.i.p. - very important pony
Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:
* PET NEEDS - Kind of Acoustic
* Giorgio Moroder - Club Remixes Selection Vol. 7
* Ant - Collection of Sounds Vol. 3
Also out:
* Matt Berry - Heard Noises
* Gaxela - Blackout
* Milkreset - Mores
* Larkin Poe - Bloom