First Listen: New Releases for 29 April

Artist: Trombone Shorty
Album: Lifted
Quick Thoughts: Trombone Shorty is legendary in his own right, but I admit that not a lot of his stuff has grabbed me. It's not him, it's me. With that said? Lifted is absolutely incredible, with a lot of great songs and excellent hooks. I loved so much of this album, it's a true unexpected delight. This is a super busy week, but this absolutely and unequivocally deserves your time.
Songs of Note: "Lie to Me," "I'm Standing Here," "Everybody in the World," "Lifted"

Artist: Erika Lewis
Album: A Walk Around the Sun
Quick Thoughts: This album was a pleasant surprise. A very rootsy, very folky affair with some gorgeous instrumentation and melodies, it's one of the better Americana releases in a week full of good ones. Give this a listen.
Songs of Note: "A Thousand Miles," "Love Song," "Unsatisfied"

Artist: Particle Kid
Album: Time Capsule
Quick Thoughts: Particle Kid is the project of one of Willie Nelson's sons, and it's got that indie experimental thing down pat. If you're expecting Willie Jr. on this, it's not happening - this is as far from classic country as you can realistically get, and feels more like a Grand Royal circa 1995 release. It's awesome.
Songs of Note: "Velocirapture (The Serpent Flew)," "Original Glitch," "Someone Else's Dream," "Along the Timey Road"

Artist: Caroline Spence
Album: True North
Quick Thoughts: I'm a huge fan of Caroline Spence, and she has become one of my favorites due to her introspective country-tinged songs and sneaky-beautiful composition. True North feels a little quieter than her prior efforts up to this point, but you still get songs like "Scale These Walls" that are deceptively simple while carrying some real weight. This album isn't going to change the world, but, like most of her work, it might change yours.
Songs of Note: "Walk the Walk," "Scale These Walls," "Icarus"

Artist: Corb Lund
Album: Songs My Friends Wrote
Quick Thoughts: I don't recall when I first tripped up on Corb Lund, but the longtime country singer-songwriter provides a covers album here that's a ton of fun. It doesn't take itself too seriously, and the result is a fairly raucous affair with a great balance of party-style music and more traditional country. Give it some time.
Songs of Note: "That's What Keeps the Rent Down, Baby," "Montana Waltz," "Blue Wing"

Artist: Shilpa Ray
Album: Portrait of a Lady
Quick Thoughts: Shilpa Ray is angry about the state of the world, and was before the SCOTUS leak. This album is a protest record in its purest form, and it doesn't hurt that the music is great, too. A good protest album has a solid message with a solid musical base, and this has both. Check it out.
Songs of Note: "Manic Pixie Dream Cunt," "Lawsuits and Suicide," "Bootlickers of the Patriarchy"

Artist: Sofi Tukker
Album: Wet Tennis
Quick Thoughts: Sofi Tukker makes some of the most fun club music out there, and I am absolutely floored by how great this new album is. Banger after banger after banger, and even the song "Larry Bird" is absolutely a joy. They were already one of my favorite current dance acts, and this album is even better than anything else they've done yet. A mandatory listen.
Songs of Note: "Kakee," "Original Sin," "Summer in New York," "Wet Tennis," "Sun Came Up," "Larry Bird"

Artist: Tomberlin
Album: i don't know who needs to hear this...
Quick Thoughts: Sarah Tomberlin's debut record caught me by surprise. It was a grower for sure, but ended up as one of my favorite records of that year. The follow-up is a really long time coming, but my goodness is it great. It's still a pretty stark listen, but the songwriting here is more consistent and more sure of itself, which makes for an interesting affair on a whole. I loved this album, and I expect I'll love it more on repeat.
Songs of Note: "tap," "sunstruck," "stoned," "happy accident"

Artist: Kelly Lee Owens
Album: LP.8
Quick Thoughts: A shout-out to Kelly Lee Owens, who has another album of ambient-leaning electronic music out here that is just absolutely great. I don't have a ton to say about it, but it's a really good listen in a really busy week.
Songs of Note: "Release," "Quickening," "Sonic 8"

Artist: Toro y Moi
Album: MAHAL
Quick Thoughts: This album is so good, I had to ask Ken whether Toro y Moi was always this good or not. They've never connected much with me before, but there is so much great stuff here that it's exactly what you'd want a psych rock record to sound like. It's really great, and worth the time.
Songs of Note: "The Medium," "Magazine," "Postman," "Deja Vu"

Artist: Let's Eat Grandma
Album: Two Ribbons
Quick Thoughts: Let's Eat Grandma gets a little more mainstream and a little less experimental with this new album, and it works. This has every hallmark of a breakthrough album, and songs like "Levitation" could just as well land on any buzzy radio station. Whether you weren't a fan to start or didn't know them, now is as good a time as ever to check them out.
Songs of Note: "Levitation," "Insect Loop," "Watching You Go"

Artist: Girlpool
Album: Forgiveness
Quick Thoughts: The opening song is a glitchy intro before settling into a more standard groove, and the starts and stops with this album create a truly inspired effort. I loved all parts of this, and can't wait to get back to it - it's perfect indie rock.
Songs of Note: "Nothing Gives Me Pleasure," "Violet," "Dragging My Life Into a Dream," "Afterlife"

Of note:

* Dalek - Precipice (Interesting rap/industrial hybrid.)
* Lola Kirke - Lady for Sale (Solid songwriting with a retro feel.)
* Willie Nelson - A Beautiful Time
* Royksopp - Profound Mysteries
* The Lovecraft Sextet - Nights of Lust
* The Mysterines - Reeling
* Bloc Party - Alpha Games
* Melody's Echo Chamber - Emotional Eternal
* Kehlani - blue water road
* William Basinski and Janek Shaefer - "...on reflection"
* Golden Boots - Liquid Ranch
* Orbury Common - The Traditional Dance of Orbury Common
* Deaf Lingo - Lingonberry
* Honeyglaze - Honeyglaze
* Izaak Opatz - Extra Medium
* Dana Gavanski - When It Comes
* Blushh - C'est La Vie
* Tennis System - Autophobia
* SCALPING - Void
* Diane Coffee - With People
* Chelsea Jade - Soft Spot
* Karen Elson - Green
* Henry Jamison - The Years
* Julie Doiron & Dany Placard - Julie & Dany
* Harvey Sutherland - Boy
* Lou Roy - Pure Chaos
* Guy Capecelatro III - Heading North Again
* Large Plants - The Carrier

EPs:

* Scene Queen - Bimbocore (This is a lot of fun.)
* Freedom Fry - Sing-a-long Series
* Joe Gittleman - The Grand Collection, Vol. 1
* Chloe Lilac - you were good to me
* Golf Girl - All So Dreamy
* Francis of Delirium - The Funhouse - EP
* Faye Webster - Car Therapy Sessions
* Coach Party - Nothing is Real
* Tenderhost - The Tin
* THE BLSSM - PURE ENERGY
* Kcin & Tilman Robinson - Requiem for the Holocene

Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

* Jens Lekman - The Cherry Trees Are Still in Blossom (Re-recording of some previous works. Lekman's Version?)

Also out:

* Action Bronson - Cocodrillo Turbo
* The Ah - Ryan Dreams
* The Head and the Heart - Every Shade of Blue

First Listen: New Releases for 3 May

Solid week this week:

Album of the Week:

Artist: Tacocat
Album: This Mess is a Place
Quick Description: New album from an indie favorite.
Why You Should Listen: Tacocat has been on a lot of people's lists, but this could be the breakthrough they've been waiting on.
Overall Thoughts: This is maybe one of my favorite things I’ve listened to this year. I’ve enjoyed what Tacocat has pulled together so far in their tenure, but this is such a step up from their previous efforts that it is almost shocking. From song one, “Hologram,” it’s a great indie pop record that doesn’t try to be anything it isn’t and results in songs with hook after hook after hook. Even the midtempo finale, which is a long-standing musical trope that can sometimes be exhausting, feels as good and fresh as anything else on the album. Best of the week, best of the month, and in contention for best release of the year so far. Don’t miss out.
Recommendation: Easily the best of the week.

Artist: Mexico City Blondes
Album: Blush
Quick Description: Great modern trip-hop.
Why You Should Listen: You want to celebrate late-1990s electronica without all the neon.
Overall Thoughts: The best way I can describe this is that I never realized how much I wanted a modern Sneaker Pimps until I heard this. A solid electronic/trip-hoppy album from start to finish, this is a record from a group I had never heard of before now but can’t wait to spend more time with. Perfect for those looking for this type of music, or who enjoy deliberately-dissonant melodies to go along with strong and interesting instrumentation.
Recommendation: A great listen.

Artist: Joy Williams
Album: Front Porch
Quick Description: The other half of The Civil Wars with her new album.
Why You Should Listen: This is really solid folk music and a great reminder of how important she was to the whole dynamic.
Overall Thoughts: Fresh off the release of the other Civil Wars member's solo album comes Front Porch, which has been teased seemingly forever. Venus, Williams's first post-Wars release, didn't have the staying power I hoped for, but this is a more traditional mainstream folk album and it really does work. Hints of some great roots material, strong vocals and songwriting, it's a fairly complete package and feels like what we've been waiting for from her.
Recommendation: Check this one out.

Artist: Caroline Spence
Album: Mint Condition
Quick Description: New album from one of the more underrated country/folk acts out there.
Why You Should Listen: This is gorgeous music that feels fresh and different even as it stays in its lane.
Overall Thoughts: "Wishing Well" stayed in my rotation literally for years, and Spence's last album ended up a favorite of mine. This one looks to be a grower in some regards, and that isn't a bad thing - Spence has a unique voice that carries expectations with it that are not always matched by the lyrics, which is why she keeps me guessing and more surprised on each listen. I look forward to spending some time with this, because the first time through was really great and showed a ton of promise.
Recommendation: Make some time.

Artist: An Horse
Album: Modern Air
Quick Description: Long-awaited new album from some indie power poppers.
Why You Should Listen: An Horse had a great album way, way back
Overall Thoughts: An Horse last put out an album in 2011 and then went on hiatus for a while. This was unfortunate given how solid that album was and given where I hoped they would be heading. When "Get Out Somehow" dropped recently, it became clear the band had not lost a step, and the new album does a great job of picking up where they left off eight years ago. Given the relative dearth of good power pop these days, this is not only a breath of fresh air, but a really solid listen on its own merits. Don't sleep on it.
Recommendation: A highlight of the week.

Artist: Versing
Album: 10000
Quick Description: A favorite of ours with a follow-up.
Why You Should Listen: Their last album was one we loved, and this continues along that trajectory.
Overall Thoughts: Versing had a surprising album last time around that both of us like in these parts, and I don't have a ton to say about 10000 except that it does not suffer from any sort of real misses. If you're into what Versing is doing, with their unique indie rock sound, this album will work.
Recommendation: Great for fans, great starting point for new listeners.

Artist: Earnhardt
Album: Earnhardt
Quick Description: Straightforward rock and roll music.
Why You Should Listen: In an era where going a little left of center is the main thing, hearing a band play it straight is refreshing, especially when it's this good.
Overall Thoughts: I don't know what it says about music today (in my day blah blah blah) that a new album that feels like the most traditional rock album you can think of feels revolutionary and fresh. But here we are with Earnhardt, who will surely get lost in the shuffle of a bunch of NASCAR tribute videos even though they deserve better. You probably will like this if you have any interest in standard rock music, but this is absolutely something a little special if you give it the time.
Recommendation: Don't miss out on this one.

Artist: Little May
Album: Blame My Body
Quick Description: Compelling indie/folk-adjacent pop rock.
Why You Should Listen: They've been around for a while, but this is still great even with its mainstream polish.
Overall Thoughts: Little May is one of those bands much better known outside of the United States, and while the inevitable comparisons to other duos re bound to happen, you should not let that dissuade you from checking out this latest album. Arguably a favorite of mine this week and the one I'm most excited to come back to, this album had me almost at note one. Upbeat and rocking in many regards, with gorgeous harmonies... it's no wonder it connected with me. It's a great listen, and one you should find time for whether you like the sort of soaring songwritery folk that's hit the mainstream as of late or not.
Recommendation: One of the better listens this week.

Of note:

* Barrie - Happy to Be Here (This is interesting and I can't wait to spend more time with it.)
* The Barrance Whitfield Soul Savage Arkestra - Songs From the Sun Ra Cosmos (Really, really good at times.)
* Drahla - Useless Coordinates (Great at times, but not always cohesive.)
* Big Thief - U.F.O.F. (No one is quite like them, but this is still overly restrained.)
* Patience - Dizzy Spells (Sneaky great.)
* Bad Religion - Age of Unreason (Solid old man punk, much better than it has any right to be.)
* Vampire Weekend - Father of the Bride
* L7 - Scatter the Rats
* Protomartyr - All Passion No Technique
* Oh Land - Family Tree
* Paula Temple - Edge of Everything
* Rhiannon Giddens and Francisco Turrisi - There Is No Other
* Wy - Softie
* Pile - Green and Gray

Seven Song Albums:

* Taylor Skye - Kode Fine & Sons
* Laura Misch - Lonely City
* Ruby Fields - Permanent Hermit
* Mr. Tophat - Dusk to Dawn Part I

EPs:

* Holly Rees - "Text Me When You Get There" - The Live EP
* Sweet Whirl - Love Songs & Poetry
* Nataly Dawn - For You

Also:

* Filthy Friends - Emerald Valley (Nothing with this much star power should be this pedestrian.)
* Tank and the Bangas - Green Balloon
* Kedr Livanskiy - Your Need
* Guided By Voices - Warp and Woof
* Lucy Spraggan - Today Was a Good Day