First Listen: New Releases and Missed Music - 2022 Leftovers and 6 January 2023

It's always slow during the holidays, so here's some stuff we missed and some new releases for the new year.

Artist: Lauren Oxford
Album: Lauren Oxford
Quick Thoughts: This one came out of Ken and I'd current obsession with Music League, and it is a gorgeous, stark folk affair that hits all the right notes for us. I'll say, in particular, "Paint Myself Trying" is perhaps the most brutally honest song about mental health struggles I've heard in a decade. It's such a great album, guys, you should absolutely make it a point to check this one out.
Songs of Note: "Magnitude," "Paint Myself Trying"

Artist: Loyle Carner
Album: hugo
Quick Thoughts: In a 2022 with a lot of rap albums that stood apart, missing Loyle Carner's effort felt big. A song like "Nobody Knows" is one thing entirely, which is as good as any high-profile rap record out there, but then you have songs like "HGU" that seem to level up on their own, and you end up with one of the better rap records of last year. Check this one out.
Songs of Note: "Nobody Knows (Ladas Road)," "HGU"

Artist: Adrian Quesada
Album: Boleros Psicodélicos
Quick Thoughts: Adrian Quesada is a producer and this album is a bit of a tribute to a genre of 1970s-era Latin balada music (of which I have zero knowledge of), so I am more than likely missing a lot of nuance here. My ignorant ears, however, loved what they heard, as it's a moody and cinematic musical effort that feels like its own thing anyway, and is truly a fun listen. Check it out.
Songs of Note: "Eso No Lo He Dicho Yo," "El Muchacho De Los Ojos Tristes," "Idolo"

Artist: Nadine Khouri
Album: Another Life
Quick Thoughts: There's nothing quite like when an album comes into your orbit long after you've done your best-of lists and turned the page to a new year, because Another Life would have likely been a top-ten contender. It's a gorgeous singer-songwriter/folky effort from November, and the UK singer's latest album (produced by John Parish) is a mood-heavy record with some truly memorable songs across the board. I was on from the word go, but if you aren't drawn into its orbit by songs like "Lo-fi Moon," I'm not sure what else to say. A mandatory new year listen.
Songs of Note: "Another Life," "Lo-fi Moon," "Vertigo," "Song of a Caged Bird," "Box of Echoes"

Artist: GRMLN
Album: Dark Moon
Quick Thoughts: One of the early 2023 releases, and it's setting the expectations really high as a result. GRMLN does a lot of solid, poppy indie-rock and songs like the title track and "Goner" both provide an additional evidence of exactly how underrated he is. The bar is set, 2023.
Songs of Note: "Dark Moon," "Goner"

Of note:

* The Lazy Eyes - SongBook (A solid, fuzzy, psych rock record.)
* billy woods - Aethiopes (Compelling, left-of-center rap.)
* Yours Sincerely - Anna (Genre-bending indie, plenty of fun.)
* Gabrielle Aplin - Phosphorescent (Lots of great moments.)
* Moby - Ambient 23
* Allen Epley - Everything
* Flyboy Tarantino - BAD SANTA AND FRIENDS
* Eelke Kleijn - DAYS like NIGHTS 2022
* Swiss Army Wife - Medium Gnarly
* Baseball Gregg - Selected Covers (2016-2022)
* Payphones - Rioting Heart
* Iggy Pop - EVERY LOSER
* Nicole Dollanganger - Married in Mount Airy
* Doom Flower - Limestone Ritual
* Gumshoes - Dreadnought, Dreadnought
* Apostrophe - A Hypothesis
* Homeboy Sandman - 12 Days of Christmas and Dia de Los Reyes
* The Soundcarriers - Wilds
* Smoke DZA - Money for Dummies
* Pet Shimmers - Anon Playable Cloud
* Gabbie Hanna - This Time Next Year

EPs:

* How I Became Invisible - The Same Floor (Don't sleep on the Superchunk cover.) * DENISE - Me Before You
* sad alex - songs that you'll probably never hear, pt. 4
* ILOVEMAKONNEN - Stay Hydrated
* blowfish - ENEMY
* Tashaki Miyaki - Live From North Hollywood
* Tokyo Tea Room - No Future Plans
* Madame Gandhi - Vibrations
* Ghais Guevara - Job's Not Finished Pack
* Human Interest - Desire Paths
* An Upside Down Tree - Heading for Distant Cardboard Hills

Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

* Dead Formats, Vol. 1

Also out:

* Vulfpeck - Schvitz
* Shoebox Baby - It Ain't Over
* Sauce Walka - Sauce Ghetto Gospel 3
* Destroyyyyer - yyyy/dd/mm
* Weezer - SZNZ: Winter
* MIKE - Beware of the Monkey
* Anti-Flag - Lies They Tell Our Children
* Tucker Bingo - Bingo Bango Boingo

First Listen: New Releases for 1 October 2021

Artist: Liz Lawrence
Album: The Avalanche
Quick Thoughts: Liz Lawrence writes extremely catchy songs, and this album is a loud, brash collection of 'em. If you were lucky enough to trip up on "USP" a few years back, you know what you're getting into here. Criminally underrated, if there's any justice this will be a mainstream hit.
Songs of Note: "Down for Fun," "Babies," "I'll Go On," "Where the Bodies are Buried"

Artist: Christo Graham
Album: Graham's General Store
Quick Thoughts: Ken sent this one over, and, man, I really enjoyed my time with this. It's got an earnest appeal that hits me right in my small town-loving heart. The album might not work for everyone, but if you like roots-tinged folk, you'd do yourself a favor in listening to this.
Songs of Note: "Phone a Friend," "Nothin' Works"

Artist: Molly Payton
Album: Slack
Quick Thoughts: Probably my favorite listen this week. Molly Payton puts together an album of alt-indie that feels fresh and polished, with songs that stick with you. I was singing "You Cut Me So Much Slack"'s chorus all weekend, and it feels like every other song on the album is a winner. Prioritize this one this week.
Songs of Note: "You Cut Me So Much Slack," "January Summers," "While You're Driving"

Artist: audiobooks
Album: Astro Tough
Quick Thoughts: audiobooks has never wasted too much time on trying to be mainstream accessible, but songs like "First Move" certainly make an effort and do a good job of balancing the strange and occasionally hyperpoppy songs. This is a wild album and one I really enjoyed this week.
Songs of Note: "LaLaLa It's the Good Life," "First Move"

Artist: GRMLN
Album: Laughing Shadow
Quick Thoughts: I wanted to highlight this one as GRMLN does some really great understated alt-rock. This album feels like it's from another era in how it's presented, and it's subtly awesome. Give this some time.
Songs of Note: "Los Angels," "Sandcastle"

Artist: Reb Fountain
Album: IRIS
Quick Thoughts: Real late-era Taylor Swift vibes in a few spots of this, most notably the title track. Reb Fountain is not a name I knew a week ago, but is absolutely one I'm paying attention to now - there's a real vulnerability and strength that go hand-in-hand to put something truly memorable together. I'm looking forward to getting back to this one.
Songs of Note: "Lacuna," "Iris"

Artist: illuminati hotties
Album: Let Me Do One More
Quick Thoughts: I loved loved loved the illuminati hotties debut, and the contractual obligation record is what it is. This proper follow-up is a little more manic and a little more robust, but still has the offbeat charm that I've come to expect. Still the best band name in indie rock, and this album has a decent chance of being a deserved breakout effort.
Songs of Note: "Pool Hopping," "The Sway," "Threatening Each Other re: Capitalism"

Of note:

* Ducks Ltd. - Modern Fiction (Repeatedly surprising.)
* Kid Gulliver - Kismet (Great local indie rock.)
* Brandi Carlile - In These Silent Days (Might be her best effort since Bear Creek)
* Velvet Starlings - Technicolor Shakedown
* Karine Polwart and Dave Milligan - Still as Your Sleeping
* Spearmint - Holland Park
* Strand of Oaks - In Heaven
* Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga - Love for Sale
* Boy Scouts - Wayfinder
* Tirzah - Retrograde
* Oompa - Unbothered
* Gustaf - Audio Drag for Ego Slobs
* Kitner - Shake the Spins
* screamcloud - Let's Break Something

* EPs:

* The Great Electric - The Great Electric
* The Persian Leaps - Drone Etiquette
*Hush Kids - Weatherman
* Jane Weaver - Sunset Dreams
* Snts - The Unfinished Fight Against Humanity Remixed
* girlhouse - the second ep
* Woolbright - Carousel
* Oliver Tree and Little Big - Welcome to the Internet

Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

* Son Lux - Tomorrow's Reworks
* Natalie Bergman - Live at Electric Lady

Also out:

* United Defiance - Change the Frequency
* Ministry - Moral Hygiene

First Listen: New Releases for 2 April

Artist: Moontype
Album: Bodies of Water
Quick Thoughts: I think I fell in love with Moontype when I first heard "Ferry" last year. It's a fuzzy, dreamy explosion of music that feels beguiling and direct all at the same time, and the album delivers on the same energy. I find it fills the void that's been waiting impatiently for a new Field Mouse album, so if you dig that sort of thing, don't miss this one.
Songs of Note: "Lush," "Ferry," "About You"

Artist: GRMLN
Album: Dark Music in the Sun
Quick Thoughts: GRMLN is maybe the first act I've seen in a while that seems to be trying to bring the early-aughts Strokes soundscape into the 2020s. "Superstar" could have been a b-side off Room on Fire for all I know. Still, it's solid garage rock and I'm here for it.
Songs of Note: "Superstar," "The Way it Ends," "Star Eye"

Artist: Dry Cleaning
Album: New Long Leg
Quick Thoughts: There's a rich history of post-rock acts that do more talking through their lyrics than singing, and Dry Cleaning is doing it really well. This is an album that's hard to categorize, but it also feels like that's intentional. It's not going to work for everyone, for sure, but it definitely worked for me.
Songs of Note: "New Long Leg"

Artist: The Natvral
Album: Tethers
Quick Thoughts: I spent a good deal of time trying to figure out exactly why The Natvral felt familiar, and I think it ultimately reminds me of Langhorne Slim, but with a more rock attitude. It's a solid album from start to finish with a few songs that stuck with me on first listen, but if you're into this sort of thing you'll find a ton to love.
Songs of Note: "Sun Blisters," "Stay in the Country"

Artist: Flock of Dimes
Album: Head of Roses
Quick Thoughts: Flock of Dimes isn't reinventing indie rock here, but this is a familiar sounding record with hooks for days and days and days. Flock of Dimes specializes in songs that will get trapped in your head. I've been singing "Price of Blue" for weeks since it first dropped, and songs like "Two" and "Hard Way" give off a solid bit of Sylvan Esso vibes. This is easily one of my favorites this week.
Songs of Note: "Price of Blue," "Two," "Hard Way"

Artist: Major Murphy
Album: Access
Quick Thoughts: The harmonies dear god the harmonies. This is a gorgeous indie rock record with some truly tight musicianship and songs that really put in the work to go above and beyond. So many great songs on here, and I'm sure a few of them will become year-end favorites.
Songs of Note: "In the Meantime," "Unfazed," "Real," "Tear it Apart."

Artist: Ratboys
Album: Happy Birthday, Ratboy
Quick Thoughts: Ratboys is consistent, and consistently great. We love them here for good reason, but I didn't want to overlook this listen in a busy-ish week. There's a lot to enjoy here, so give it a go.
Songs of Note: "Space Blows," "Collected," "88 Fingers Edward"

Of note:

* Luca Yupanqui - Sounds of the Unborn
* Godspeed You! Black Emperor - G_d's Pee AT STATE'S END
* No-No Boy - 1975
* Lyla Foy - Fornever
* Hit Like a Girl - Heart Racer
* Otooman Turks - Ottoman Turks II
* Du Blonde - Homecoming
* The Orielles - La Vita Olistica
* La Femme - Paradigmes
* August, Yours Truly - In the Eyes of God
* Mello Music Group - Bushido

EPs:

* Extra Credit - It's Over
* Small Black - Driftwood Fire
* Nasty Cherry - The Movie
* Devil's Teeth - La leggenda di Chong Li
* Brin, Dntel, and More Eaze - Futurangelics
* TDJ - TDJ002
* Kishi Bashi - Emigrant EP
* Field Medic - Plunge Deep Golden Knife
* Foxes - Friends in the Corner EP

Live albums/Compilations:

* The Vaccines - What Did You Expect from The Vaccines? (Demos)
* 4AD: Bills and Aches and Blues

Also out:

* boys cruise - boys cruise
* The Drums - MOMMY DON'T SPANK ME
* Middle Son - How Could We Have Ever Been Good?