If It's Too Loud...

How is Adia Victoria not the biggest singer on the planet? I fell for Adia Victoria's work in 2016, when Beyond the Bloodhounds hit the scene. Silences was similarly solid, but it's A Southern Gothic that's really brought her in to her own as a songwriter and performer. This strikes a near-perfect balance of social commentary and traditional musicality, and it's an important and weighty album without feeling like one. It's a very difficult line to toe, and Adia Victoria handles it with ease and grace. We were excited about this one when it was announced, and I know it exceeded my high expectations. Debuting in the top 10, a lot of other folks agree, too, but she should be massive after this one. Songs of note: "Mean-Hearted Woman," "Magnolia Blues," "Whole World Knows," "Troubled Mind"

Long hours means a double dose of music this week. Artist : Adia Victoria Album : A Southern Gothic Quick Thoughts : We're big Adia Victoria fans here, and this album came out of nowhere a bit for me. I wasn't expecting new music, and I definitely wasn't expecting A Southern Gothic , which has a true feel that mirrors its title while still bringing the sort of songwriting and musical know-how that Adia Victoria always brings. Right now, I wouldn't be shocked to see this on both of our best-of lists this year. Songs of Note : "Troubled Mind," "Magnolia Blues, "Mean-Hearted Woman," "You Was Born to Die," "Whole World Knows," "Carolina Bound" Artist : Ruby Fields Album : Been Doin' It For A Bit Quick Thoughts : The album title accurately describes what this album sounds like, even though this Aussie singer-songwriter is only 23. There is some great indie rock here throughout. I enjoyed her initial seven ...

Album of the Week : Artist : Julia Jacklin Album : Crushing Quick Description : New album from a favorite around these parts. Why You Should Listen : If there's any justice in the world, Jacklin will be much more well-known by the end of this year. Overall Thoughts : While everyone was busy looking at the Dacus/Bridgers/Baker triumvirate of up-and-coming singer songwriters last year, Julia Jacklin was quietly pulling up in the left lane and is poised to own 2019 if her second album is any indication. I had an inkling that Phantastic Fernature, her more rocking side project, might be a little instructive, but I will say that this new album works in a lot of ways her already-solid debut album may not have. The first two songs grabbed my attention , and hearing lead single “Pressure to Party” in the context of the full album gave it some extra heft I didn’t hear in my initial listens. One of the best, if not the best, of the week, and is almost certain to make a number of yea...

And here's the rest from this week! Artist : Nadia Reid Album : Preservation Quick Description : Folkish music. Why You Should Listen : Nothing like it this week. Overall Thoughts : I don’t know for sure what I expected from this, but in terms of what is effectively a quiet, folk-adjacent effort, I definitely enjoyed it. While I doubt this will blow your mind or end up on your best-of list, this is a solid listen in a week without a lot of this sort of thing Recommendation : Give it a shot. Artist : Why? Album : Moh Llean Quick Description : Latest from the oddball rockers. Why You Should Listen : Why? is always interesting, at least. Overall Thoughts : Why? is a weird band, and they make no efforts to not be strange. That’s what makes the relatively straightforward nature of this new album so weird in and of itself. A distinct lack of twists and turns that I noticed on first listen means that a lot of Why?’s selling point is kind of lost. I’ll need to spend more...

A pretty solid week this week: Co-Albums of the Week : Artist : Kaia Kater Album : Nine Pin Quick Description : Latest album from the Canadian folkie. Why You Should Listen : Kaia Kater has been good so far, but this is a big step forward. Overall Thoughts : I liked her previous album, Sorrow Bound , and I did end up continuing to spend time with it and enjoyed it. Nine Pin , as a comparison, feels like a significant step forward both in terms of songwriting and in sound. The album really grabbed me from the start and it's the rare album that, once I finished it, I just wanted to fire it up again immediately. If you like folk music in any form, this is a must-listen, but I'll go as far as to say this might be one of my favorites in this space since Leyla McCalla's a couple years ago. Just absolutely brilliant. Recommendation : A must listen for everyone. Artist : Adia Victoria Album : Beyond the Bloodhounds Quick Description : Blog favorite finally has an ...

It was over a year ago since I first wrote about Adia Victoria and how much I couldn't wait for an actual album from her (she was a pick for my most anticipated albums of 2016 ,) and we finally have a new single from the upcoming album. While "Sea of Sand" was more of a dark, gothic version of alt-country, "Dead Eyes" is much more of a rocker. It's by far the most upbeat song we've heard from Victoria so far, with fast guitars and plinking keyboards. Based on the few singles she had previously released, I certainly wasn't expecting this to be what the first single off her forthcoming album to sound like, but I'm now even more intrigued than before. And at only 2 minutes 21 seconds, it's over before you want it to be. We still have a bit of a wait for the album, but we do finally have a release date: Beyond the Bloodhounds  will be released on May 13 via Canvasback, which is an imprint of Atlantic Records. You can listen to "Dead Eye...

With all the upcoming albums in 2016, five really have captured my interest to the point of obsession. They include brand new artists, returning favorites, and dream collaborations. Mothers - When You Walk a Long Distance You Are Tired - Ever since I first heard "Too Small For Eyes," I've been listening to Mothers pretty much constantly. Considering I they only have four songs on Spotify, that means I should have burnt them out, but I keep going back. I don't think I've ever had such anticipation for a debut since Benjamin Booker, which I consider very high praise.  The I Don't Cares - Wild Stab - Paul Westerberg and Juliana Hatfield are a dream combination I didn't know I needed until it existed. They've kept the details of their debut album as The I Don't Cares pretty quiet. All we know about it is that it will be called Wild Stab  and at the end of October it would be released "soon." I'm betting this will be one of those ...

Adia Victoria could be this year's Benjamin Booker: The artist that comes seemingly out of nowhere with a couple songs, tours relentlessly, and has a debut album that takes over my life for a few months. She just released her 2nd single, "Sea of Sand," and I have become completely entranced with it. The song was written in Harlem in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. It's about all the places she has lived in her young life (South Carolina, Tucson, etc) and who she was at each place. She combines this blend of dark, gothic alt-country with the aggression and a smidge of the noise of indie rock. It's closest to Lucinda Williams and Tom Waits mixed with Throwing Muses. I'm hoping she comes out with more ASAP. In March she's touring with Hurray For the Riff Raff (like Benjamin Booker last year...), and dates are below. You can follow her on Facebook  and Twitter . Listen to "Sea of Change" below. Fri 1/23 - Asheville, NC - New Mountain Sat 1/24 ...