If It's Too Loud...

Artist : Lorde Album : Solar Power Quick Thoughts : Lorde has made some seriously iconic songs over the years, which makes Solar Power largely a confusing affair. It's not that the album is bad - in fact, on first listen, I might like it more than Melodrama - but that it's very unassuming. It gives a definitive inluenceresque summery vibe, and that was somewhat unexpected from someone who presents as a more oddball dark pop star. Regardless, this album is likely to be divisive, but put me fully on team Solar Power . Songs of Note : "Solar Power," "Stoned at the Nail Salon," "Secrets From a Girl (Who's Seen It All)" Artist : Warp Trio Album : Warp Trio's Pandemic Disco Fantasy Quick Thoughts : I'm pretty sure this contemporary classical act hit my radar thanks to the amount of Attacca Quartet I've been listening to, and this is apparently a concept record that goes along with a multimedia effort. The music, for what it...

Artist : Electrocute Album : Tiger Toys Quick Description : New poppy album from these vets. Why You Should Listen : There's not a ton of electro, but plenty of cute. Overall Thoughts : This is kind of intentionally adorable in all the right ways. It's happy sugary indie pop, and I was really down for what this brought me during the pandemic Christmas blues. I don't have a ton to say about it except that I loved every moment of this listen and want to hear more. Recommendation : Give this some time. Artist : Taylor Swift Album : evermore Quick Description : Second surprise album from the megastar. Why You Should Listen : folklore was good, but this is better. Overall Thoughts : TayTay round two gives us a knockout blow for the end of 2020. This listen is a lot more in-your-face and feels less like a lost folk album and more like a polished roots record. A song like "no body, no crime," with Haim, is a song that would fit in on any sort of classic cou...

Some catch-up along with the new releases... Artist : The Wolff Sisters Album : Queendom of Nothing Quick Description : New album from a local favorite. Why You Should Listen : The Wolff Sisters should be huge. Overall Thoughts : We loved the debut album from The Wolff Sisters, Cahoon Hollow , and to say that this new album has been on our anticipated list for a while is an understatement. What I didn't expect was for this new record to be such a leap forward. There's no sophomore slump here: Queendom of Nothing is a gorgeous, confident record that improves on everything this band has already accomplished up to now, and, in a more just world, would propel them into greater stardom. For now, they'll have to remain our collective secret, but do not sleep on this. It's not only one of the best of the week... Recommendation : ...it's one of the best of the year. Artist : Sofia Talvik Album : Paws of a Bear Quick Description : Latest from the Americana-...

A busy week of new music, which seems to be typical for the moment! 1 of 2 as has been the case for a while. Album of the Week : Artist : Sturgill Simpson Album : A Sailor's Guide to Earth Quick Description : Latest album from the buzzed-about country act. Why You Should Listen : If his previous album was his roots breakthrough, this might end up being his mainstream one. Overall Thoughts : We've, to this point, not been on the Sturgill bandwagon here. It's not that he's not good at what he does, but I haven't personally felt the connection to his work the way a lot of other people have. Metamodern Sounds felt very sterile to me in particular, and I was expecting more of the same from this new album this week, and I didn't get it. His sound is still classic (the cover of "In Bloom" absolutely nails it), but there's a little bit of a layer of something here that I felt was missing before, and it makes it much more interesting. Thi...

For the past few years, the Newport Folk Festival has had a Spotify playlist updated by festival producer Jay Sweet. As acts get announced during their rolling line up announcement, songs will be added by each festival performer. I've been following each year's list for the past few, and it's a great way to keep up with bands that are playing, and to hear the lesser known bands before getting to the Fort. So far there are only 3 acts on the playlist (Courtney Barnett, Sturgill Simpson, and Haunt the House), but those are the only 3 bands announced for this year so far. You can find the Newport Folk 2015 Spotify playlist here . An added way to prepare for the festival this year is a new podcast. The Newport Folk Festival podcast debuted last Friday. Based on the description, it will be an ever changing format, helping to introduce new bands (the 1st episode profiles Rhode Island natives Haunt the House), give a behind the scenes look at the festival, and showcase memorie...

This week's new release slate is really all over the place. Mirah - Changing Light : I'm embarrassed to admit that my first reason for listening to Mirah back whenever I first heard of her was because I thought she was the artist Nick Hornby constantly wrote about. Not only is that a questionable reason to get into a band, but he was also writing about Marah with an A, not Mirah with an I. Regardless, I never thought much of it again until her 2009 album (a)spera , which was a beautifully haunting melodic piece from start to finish. Changing Light shifts gears a bit for her on a whole, being more raw and straightforward without losing a lot of the tone that we've gotten used to with her. Whether this album will have the staying power for me that (a)spera had remains to be seen, but it's certainly the best release of this week, one of the more interesting listens of recent releases, and worth a try for you. I Saved Latin! A Tribute to Wes Anderson : I've t...