First Listen: New Releases for November 21 and 28
Album: The Wind Doesn't Blow This Far Right
Quick Thoughts: There are many Irish folk singers who continue to put out essential work, and while Lisa O'Neill's album is closer to an EP in length, there is more than enough here to sustain a half hour of expertly crafted folk. Every song is ultimately a highlight, but the first two in particular work extremely well and the addition of "The Bleak Midwinter" is a lovely holiday inclusion. Don't seep on this one.
Songs of Note: "The Wind Doesn't Blow This Far Right," "Mother Jones," "Homeless in the Thousands (Dublin in the Digital Age)," "The Bleak Midwinter"
Album: Down for Life
Quick Thoughts: A side project of Motherhood and Keith Hallett, while the tongue remains firmly lodged in cheek, there's more than enough here to really love. It's got tons of country vibes, a little bit of Sonny Bono, a little bit of when bands would have their own theme songs, and the whole thing is just a lot more fun than it has any right to be. Really enjoyed this one, and would have enjoyed it even in a busier week.
Songs of Note: "If I Needed You Now," "No One Likes Losing," "A Cowboy's Work," "Greasy," "Worried," "Sam Salmon Anthem"
Album: just something you cared about in high school
Quick Thoughts: This one came out of left field for me and just worked. There's a lot of alt-rock influence here, but I think I'm ultimately struck by how complete and cohesive the entire package is here. It's a near-perfect amalgamation of 1990s college rock and modern indie singer-songwriter, and I'm more than here for it. One of the best of the week, if not the year.
Songs of Note: "Han Solo," "Object Permanence," "Achilles," "High School," "Your Eyes Immaculate," "Enemies to Lovers"
Album: Angelic Ascent
Quick Thoughts: We're unfortunately in an era where ambient music is synonymous to artificial intelligence music for a lot of listeners. The deceptively low bar for entry combined with the ease in which music gets proliferated across streamers means that you can't always trust what you're hearing if it isn't from Brian Eno. Infinity Machine, however, is a project of members of Gee Dee and The Juan MacLean, and this is their first real full-length and I am in love. Opening track "Traversing the Etheric Plane" feels like a straight shot out of the 1970s Environments recordings, and its hour-plus runtime is traditional enough to mirror the best ambient has to offer while still giving enough variety to show how deliberately it serves as something more. Absolutely worth your time.
Songs of Note: "Angelic Ascent," "The Audible Lifestream"
Album: If Not Winter
Quick Thoughts: We missed this one from earlier this year and I regret it. Wisp has some amazing shoegazey moments even while they're not exactly forging new ground, they don't have to. It's a debut full-length that shows how well they've nailed down the genre. A great listen, add it to your rotation.
Songs of Note: "Guide Light," "Breathe Onto Me," "Mesmerized," "Black Swan"
Album: A Very Carper Christmas
Quick Thoughts: For those hungry for Christmas music, you're eating well this season. My favorite this year, for what it's worth, is this Melissa Carper effort. Her uber-traditional country sound works perfectly with the season, and she expertly jumps back and forth between traditional tunes and originals that don't outstay their welcome. There's truly something for everyone here, and I'm extremely glad it exists.
Songs of Note: "I Want a Dog for Christmas," "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth," "Please Come Home for Christmas," "Dumpster Divin' on Christmas Eve," "Christmas Memories," "Cats in the Christmas Tree"
Of note:
* Miri Tyler - This is the Last I'll Speak On It, I Swear (Ekko Astral's drummer with a rootsy folk record. It's great.)
* The Good Ones - Rwanda Sings With Strings
* Etceteral - Kimatika
* Cerys Hafana - Angel
* Loupe - Oh, To Be Home
* Sirom - In the Wind of Night, Hard-Fallen Incantations Whisper
* Noura Mint Seymali - Yenbett
* Joseph Shabason and Thom Gill - Mississippi River Styx
* Noble Sun - Make Peace
* Thee Headcoats - Man-Trap
* Haley Heyndrickx and Max Garcia Conover - What of Our Nature
* Sharp Pins - Balloon Balloon Balloon
* Twin Shadow - Cadet
* Leatherette - Ritmo Lento
* Glyders - Forever
* Sielh Avila - Viewfinder
* Coco Bryce - Notches
* Sega Bodega - I Created the Universe So That Life Could Create a Language so Complex, Just to Say How Much I Love You
* Glitterer - erer
* The Black Dog - Loud Ambient
* De La Soul - Cabin in the Sky
* Aisling Urwin - The Other Place
* Bee Bee Sea - Stanzini Can Be Allright
* Bicycle Inn - Long in the Tooth
* Elmo Aoyama - Demons
* Lisa SQ - Reel Me In
* Soar - Soar
* Oliver the Crow - A Feather in a Hurricane
* Noble Son - Be Careful
* Just Mustard - We Were Just Here
* The Salt Collective - A Brief History of Blindness
* Bug Teeth - Micrographia
* Chalk Talk - Sun Lies Heavy
* Oneohtrix Point Never - Tranquilizer
* Red Axes - LOUD
* Mischa Blanos - Take Control
* Hana Eid - Trains Running Backwards
* XIXA - XOLO
* Grey Streak - Soft Courage
* DJ Q - Foundations
* Lawrence English and Stephen Vitiello - Trinity
* Desire - Original and Unique
* Rah Rah - I'm In the Spot
* Ghost Transmission - RUST&SALT
* Lucy Liyou - Every Video Without Your Face, Every Sound Without Your Name
* Sholto - The Sirens
* Tristan Perich and James McVinnie - Infinity Gradient
* Magic Fig - Valerian Tea
EPs:
* Alex Little - Spider in the Sink
* Sons of Yusuf - Kuwait Beat Tape, Vol. 1
* Rebecca Sykes - Face to Face
* Kelly Lee Owens - KELLY
* Kara-lis Coverdale - Changes in Air
* Allerdyce - Allerdyce
* Ransom and Conductor Williams - The Uncomfortable Truth
* Samson A.K. - Heavy Birds Drop
* Ioa BEDUNEAU - Melodies pour Clairons
* Ma Sha and Hodge - No One Moves Alone
* Horse Lords and Arnold Dreyblatt - FRKWYS Vol. 18: Extended Field
* Dottie Andersson - Nordic Machine
* How I Became Invisible - A Confusion
* Adrian Sherwood / African Head Charge / Speakers Corner Quartet - Barbican Heights
* Man Power - Iteration
* Selena Feliciano - From Every Direction
* Lawrence English and Stephen Vitiello - Trinity
* Emma Russack - 5 Timothee Chalamet Instagram Captions
* Your Old Droog - Anything is Possible
* Emmelene - LIFTGOINGUP
Live albums/Compilations/Reissues/Christmas:
* Verve // Remixed Holiday (Great soul / R&B Christmas tracks with an electro-swing sheen.)
* Old Crow Medicine Show - OCMS XMAS
* The Futureheads - Christmas
* The Second Hand Orchestra - SNOW, This is Christmas
* Annie Booth - Now We're Talkin' Christmas
