Album: Anxious
Quick Thoughts: Nell Smith's Nick Cave covers record with the Flaming Lips a few years back was one of my favorites of the year. At the time, she was a 12 year old that forged a connection with Wayne Coyne and I have impatiently waited for her debut album ever since. I must have missed the news, however, because I learned upon release that this solo album is also a posthumous release, having died in a car accident last fall at only 17. It's always tragic when a teenager dies, but for those of us who love music, this one hurts a little harder, especially when the musical bookend we get here is so, so good. One of the best of the year, in fact, which I wouldn't have seen coming. It's a little weird, a little poppy, a little indie... what's kind of stunning is that she shows a range here that feels more appropriate for someone ten years old.
Songs of Note: "Anxious," "Daisy Fields," "The Worst Best Drug," "Boy in a Bubble," "Billions of People," "Spit in the Sky"
Album: Pink Hell
Quick Thoughts: While this is a reductive take, I'll say it anyway: Pink Hell is what my brain perceives Wet Leg to be, and does it better. This is a fun little indie-pop record that takes a few chances along the way to provide a really fun and brisk listen. Their second album shows some growth and polish without losing the core of works, and that's really what matters. Don't miss out.
Songs of Note: "Riff," "Stupid Face," "I Won't Come to Your Opening," "Throwing Your French Fries," "Penny Sleeps," "Crush"
Album: Owls, Omens, and Oracles
Quick Thoughts: Valerie June has been a blog favorite since the start, and her latest album feels like an interesting change in tone for the veteran folkie. At least on the surface, Owls, Omens, and Oracles feels a little brighter and a little less polished than her previous work, and that gives it a sense of dynamics and immediacy that I don't generally associate with her. Plus, songs like "Joy, Joy!" set up a different atmosphere that just works. Every record of hers has been essential listening, and this one is worth the time, too. A great album.
Songs of Note:
Album: The Healing Volume
Quick Thoughts: Gong Wah is a band that feels like they've been at this a long time, with some very interesting production choices in The Healing Volume that I love - check out the way the acoustic guitar is mixed in "Inside" and "What Love Means" - but the shapeshifter-esque band is less experimental and more mainstream alt-rock with this one, and the choices work. I loved a number of the songs to start out and loved more and more on repeat listens, and I have a feeling you will, too.
Songs of Note: "What Love Means," "Inside," "Ashes," "We Are Friends"
Album: Thee Black Boltz
Quick Thoughts: I didn't know Tunde Adebimpe by name before this week - he's the lead singer of TV on the Radio - but this album was a really interesting listen. Some elements of futuristic, Janelle Monae-style funk, some darker alt-rock / industrial elements... there's a lot going on here, and all of it great. Definitely the most unique listen of the week, and one I'm looking forward to getting more time with.
Songs of Note: "Magnetic," "Ate the Moon," "The Most," "Blue," "Somebody New"
Album: Send a Prayer My Way
Quick Thoughts: If I have any critiques about the country collaboration between two of our favorites here, it's that it probably plays a bit too safe. Don't get me wrong: "The Only Marble" is an outstanding track, and songs like "Downhill Both Ways" and "Tape Runs Out" feel authentic and pure. The album, however, is more homage than anything else, and if you're looking for Torres's more offbeat approach or for Baker to shred a bit, you've come to the wrong place. It's a great record and I hope they collaborate more, but know that you're coming in on a really interesting country effort.
Songs of Note: "The Only Marble I've Got Left," "Downhill Both Ways," "Tape Runs Out," "Off the Wagon," "Goodbye Baby"
Album: Almost Like You Could
Quick Thoughts: I wanted to highlight this one because it gave me a lot of Rainer Maria vibes in its sort of strident, straightforward approach. I loved this album so much, and if songs like "Corner Cutting Boredom" and "Melt" don't do it for you, I don't know what to tell you. Mandatory listen.
Songs of Note: "Higher," "Dreaming," "Corner Cutting Boredom," "Melt," "Buzz/Cut"
Album: We've Got It All
Quick Thoughts: I spent a lot of time while Kathleen Edwards was on hiatus from music trying to find the next Kathleen Edwards. I wish I knew Cumulus then, because We've Got It All scratches that itch hard. It's not quite country, but not really alt-country either - the album pulls from a lot of different genres to come up with a cohesive sound that feels familiar even when it's unique to them. This is absolutely a favorite of this week and I look forward to exploring their previous output, but make time for this.
Songs of Note: "Simple," "Arizona Sunrise," "Wolves," "Old Friend," "Welcome Back to Me," "Dad Song"
Album: Chime Oblivion
Quick Thoughts: Wanted to make sure I highlighted this record from a new indie band that sort of feels like David Byrne if he was fronting an electro-pop-punk hybrid with members of the B-52s. "Neighborhood Dog" is as good as anything in setting the tone here, and the album really needs to be heard to be understood. It's a great record that I want to spend more time with.
Songs of Note: "Neighborhood Dog," "Kiss Her or Be Her," "Heated Horses," "I'm Not a Mirror," "Smoke Ring," "Grass," "Cold Pulse"
Album: Western Pleasure
Quick Thoughts: I'll resist the temptation to say that this is the record I wish the Baker / Torres was, and instead say that this collaboration between singer-songwriter Zella Day and Jesse Woods (Rolling Stones drummer Ronnie Woods's son) is a really solid and pure album. "Baby Jesus" is a highlight this week while "Sex & Rage" gives the sort of modern spin to classic country we love here. Put this in your rotation.
Songs of Note: "Inside the Lines," "Bad Loving," "Baby Jesus," "Sex & Rage"
Of note:
* Ribbon Skirt - Bite Down (Solid indigenous alt-rock.)
* Dead Pioneers - PO$T AMERICAN (Inciteful political indigenous punk.)
* Cold Specks - Light for the Midnight (A solid entry from the folkie.)
* The Album Leaf - ROTATIONS (Remains undefeated.)
* Do It Later - Feeling Spent
* Barbara - So This is Living
* Sirens of Lesbos - i got a song, it's gonna make us millions
* Joni - Things I Left Behind
* Yasmin Nur - Slaughter
* Kids Return - 1997
* Thayer Sarrano - Bells
* The Birthday Massacre - Pathways
* Sofia Hardig - Lighthouse of Glass
* OK Go - And the Adjacent Possible
* Messa - The Spin
* Dining Dead - Is This a House?
* Kuunatic - Wheels of Omon
* Jadu Heart - Post Heaven
* chrysalis - dog songs
* Riccardo La Foresta - ZERO,999...
* Cappadonna - Godly Wealthy & Beautiful
* Will Johnson - Diamond City
* Casper Skulls - Kit-Cat
* LaRussell - Make Hip-Hop Fun Again!
* Too $hort - Sir Too $hort, Vol. 1 (Freaky Tales)
* TV Sundaze - Plastic Bags / Packing Tape
* Little Barrie and Malcolm Catto - Electric War
* quickly, quickly - I Heard That Noise
* The Pale White - The Big Sad
* Macie Stewart - When the Distance is Blue
* Adja - Golden Retrieve Her
* Daughter of Swords - Alex
* vox - All My Best Friends Are Ghosts
* Mamalarky - Hex Key
* Ziarra - Human Form
* DoFlame - Get Bent!
* There's a Tuesday - Blush
* Treaks - Ego
* Josephine Odhil - Monstera
* Marathon - Fading Image
* Lunchbox - Evolver
* mia11112233 / watch free online - diamond amulet
* Kool Keith - Karpenters
* Fomies - Liminality
* Denzel Himself - Violator
* Cloud Nothings - Final Summer
* Spin Doctors - Face Full of Cake
* Heavy Lungs - Caviar
* Emerson Azarian - Hyperfixation
* Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange - Inspire // Radicalise
* Lucy Railton - Blue Veil
* Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson - What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow
* Dabin - Aura Park
* Ben Shirken - H.D. Reliquary
* Avery Friedman - New Thing
* Koven - Moments in Everglow
* Adrian Younge - Something About April III
* Kara Delik - Kara Delik
* Kinsella & Pulse, LLC - Open ing Night
* The Concrete Boys - Everything's Better Than You
* Heiroglyphic Being - Dance Music 4 Bad People
* Sarah Siskind - Simplify
* Divide and Dissolve - Insatiable
* Tapeworms - Grand Voyage
* Brass Camel - Camel
* Mamuthones - From Word to Flesh
* Sheldon Agwu - Kintsugi
* The Convenience - Like Cartoon Vampires
* LDS - power of 2
* Bootsy Collins - Album of the Year #1 Funkateer
* Briain - Cognitive Dissonance
* Bedridden - Moths Strapped to Each Other's Backs
EPs:
* fantasy of a broken heart - Chaos Practitioner
* The Wrecks - INSIDE :
* googly eyes - Demos 26-30
* Kills Birds - Crave
* Robber Robber - Wild Guest
* Rindert Lammers - Thank You Kirin Kiki
* Squalloscope - Thaw
* Farah - The Silent Song
* Shell Company and Older Brother - Shards
* Night School - For Keeps
* Clutter - Loves You
* Valentina Magaletti and Fanny Chiarello - Gym Douce
* Melvins - Thunderball
* Ana Tijoux - Serpiente De Madera
* Jim E. Brown - I Wish I Didn't Like You
* Grandmas House - Anything For You
* Rowan Drake - Rowan Drake and Friends, Vol. 1
* LaRussell and Mike& Keys - Black Boy Fly
* Steel Wool - Steel Wool
* Isolee - Chopstick!
Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:
* Vegyn / Air - Blue Moon Safari (A remixed session of Air's classic debut.)
* Royksopp - True Electric
* Suede - Sci-Fi Lullabies Vol. 2
Also out:
* Bon Iver - SABLE, fABLE
* Mr. Piss - Mr. Piss
* Eyedress - Stoner
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