Album: Forever is a Feeling
Quick Thoughts: We love the whole boygenius Cinematic Universe here, having been on the Lucy Dacus bandwagon as early as "Night Shift." Her third album is her first with a major label, and where it might be a little more ostentatious at times in ways that it doesn't need to be, it more than makes up for it with some of the most brutal and memorable lyrics happening at present. There are so many moments here that just make you mutter curse words under your breath because they hit so hard, and I'm an almost 44-year-old straight married white man. She's something special, and I'm glad the world is getting to know her music more.
Songs of Note: "Ankles," "Limerence," "Modigliani," "For Keeps," "Forever is a Feeling," "Best Guess," "Bullseye," "Most Wanted Man"
Album: All of your anger is actually shame (and I bet that makes you angry)
Quick Thoughts: I don't recall being aware of Gloin prior to this album and it appears I really need to rectify that. Noise rock out of England that doesn't pull punches, and it's absolutely worth your time in the early year.
Songs of Note: "20 Bucks," "Bucket of Blood," "controlfreak69," "A Body in the Outdoors," "Sent From My iPhone," "Salamander"
Album: Sprinter
Quick Thoughts: Cat Ridgeway is new to me, but gives me extremely specific early-1990s female alt-rocker vibes. A little bit Juliana Hatfield, a little bit Aimee Mann, a little bit Jen Trynin, and just hooks for days. "Epilogue" in particular is probably my favorite song of the last few weeks. Check this out.
Songs of Note: "Sprinter," "Cursive," "Epilogue," "What If?," "Go Long (So Long)"
Album: Time to Let You Down
Quick Thoughts: The solo project of punk/hardcore legend John Reis has a new album that feels like fresh punk in all its ways. Loved so much of this; it's a fun and quick hit without sounding overdone, and has the pedigree to spare. Check this one out.
Songs of Note: "Time to Let You Down," "Boomer Rang," "King of the Jungle vs. The Boogeyman," "Because I Sink," "Heartbeats"
Album: White Rabbit
Quick Thoughts: I don't have a ton to say about this one except that, as someone who likes a fair amount of UK Drill, this album surprised me at how solid it was on all sides. A great listen in the busy week.
Songs of Note: "The Great," "Dirt Road," "Rabbit Hole," "Stolen Scrolls," "Upside Down"
Album: Zitty Stardust
Quick Thoughts: Boy Jr. got some play on TikTok a few years back, put out a couple albums and EPs, went through a gender transition, was trolled on social media about it, and then put out an album that not only plays with the harassment but ends up being one of the better independent releases of late. They aren't easy to categorize from a musical standpoint - it's sometimes hyperpop, sometimes electronic, sometimes baseline indie - but they always find a way to make it work and make it their own. Really enjoyed this.
Songs of Note: "Legolas," "Bullying Myself," "I Hope You Feel Terrible," "Lost And," "Top 5 Most Emotional People in Western NY," "Okay Okay"
Album: Bowerbirds and Blue Things
Quick Thoughts: Also wanted to highlight this one as a great indie pop record, scratching that particular itch like few others have of late. "Tendrils" in particular is outstanding.
Songs of Note: "Bubblegum Nothingness," "Bonanza 2 Tango Sierra," "Only If You Want To," "Tendrils," "Look Alive!"
Album: Night Life
Quick Thoughts: I felt old when I learned that The Horrors have been at this for close to 20 years now, but the goth garage rockers are back with a new album that sticks to your bones. "Ariel" is a mandatory listen, but for a band that's been at this for some time? Really great listen.
Songs of Note: "Ariel," "Trial By Fire," "More Than Life," "LA Runaway"
Of note:
* Backxwash - Only Dust Remains (Solid entry from the Canadian rapper.)
* Peter Capaldi - Sweet Illusions (Yes, that Peter Capaldi.)
* Niis - NIIS WORLD (Grungey alt-indie.)
* Andrew Crawford - Love is Alive at the Mall Food Court (Great lostwave-style album.)
* Butler, Blake and Grant - Butler, Blake and Grant
* Butcher Brown - Letters From the Atlantic
* Wyrn - Shapes
* iNTeLL and 2nd Generation Wu - Chemical X
* aya - hexed!
* Lonnie Holley - Tonky
* Cross Record - Crush Me
* Hannah Cohen - Earthstar Mountain
* Billy Blue - The Life of Pedro
* Japanese Breakfast - For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)
* Motorbike - Kick It Over
* Kinky Friedman - Poet of Motel 6
* Desire - Games People Play
* Fleshquartet - Unepidemic Sound
* Private Lives - Salt of the Earth
* Discus - To Relate To
* David Ramirez - All the Not So Gentle Reminders
* Alpha Hopper - Let Heaven and Nature Sing II
* Brian Jackson - Of Corners and Bridges
* Shit and Shine - Mannheim Hbf
* Polo & Pan - 22:22
* Bria Salmena - Big Dog
* Ora the Molecule - Dance Therapy
* Yawners - Superbucle
* Welly - Big in the Suburbs
* Momus - Quietism
* SPELLLING - Portrait of My Heart
* Great Grandpa - Patience, Moonbeam
* Violet Aquarium - FishBowl
* Loradeniz - Sun Shone
* Dean Wareham - That's the Price of Loving Me
* Dutch Interior - Moneyball
* Tea Eater - I Don't Believe in Bad Luck
* New Translations - Vacation
* The Darkness - Dreams on Toast
* Brian D'Addario - Till the Morning
* Glazyhaze - Sonic
* Shn Shn - Serpent's Skin
* Sacred Paws - Jump Into Life
* Vanilla - Time Goes By Pt. I
* Annie A - The Wind That Had Not Touched Land
* Ariane Roy - Dogue
* Half Gringa - Cosmovision
* Free Range - Lost and Found
* Doseone and Steel Tipped Dove - All Portrait, No Chorus
* Lola Kirke - Trailblazer
* Exploding Flowers - Watermelon/Peacock
* Big Black Delta - ADONAI
* CocoRosie - Little Death Wishes
* girlpuppy - sweetness
* YHWH Nailgun - 45 Pounds
* Bag People - Bag People
* Kinlaw - gut ccheck
* Sharp Pins - Radio DDR
* Floodlights - Underneath
* Kassian - Channels
* fern_shy - Who Are You Really?
* Bloo Azul - Sacre Bloo
* My Morning Jacket - is
* Timbaland - Timbo Progression
* Eliza Niemi - Progress Bakery
* Pictoria Vark - Nothing Sticks
* Beverly Kills - Wishing Well
* Rachel Brooke - Sings Sad Songs
* Arnaldo Antunes - Novo Mundo
* Snapped Ankles - Hard Times Furious Dancing
* Jackie Ward - Rites of Passage
* Saint Abdullah - Of No Fixed Abode
* KRS-One - Temple of Hip Hop Global Awareness
* Gianni Brezzo - Sprechiamo!
EPs:
* Looking Glass War - Saints of the Lost and Found
* Adam Sherman - Nowhere But Here
* Twig Harper - MUSAK AUTO-CORRECT SH/T SYSTEM
* Phoebe Green - The Container
* Findlay - Stay Kinky
* Georgia Ruth - Cooler Head
* nurse joy - can i say something...?
* Milkblood - ALTER [Pt. II]
* GRVNOLA - Copperhead Viperz
* Greez Trilla - Stacking bread
* More Eaze and Clair Rousay - no floor
* Anna St. Louis - Home Recordings
* Nimino - Creek
* Lady Bits -- Tell Yourself This
* Lucy Liyou - Every Video Without Your Face, Every Sound Without Your Name
Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:
* Kathleen Edwards - Covers
* DJ Kicks: Logic1000
* Infinite FXX: ULTRA BLESSED VOL.1
Also out:
* Lord Sko - PIFF
* Destroyer - Dan's Boogie
* Lil Nas X - Days Before Dreamboy
* Kyle M - The Real Me
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