First Listen: New Releases for April 15

Artist: Las Calakas
Album: Hechizo
Quick Thoughts: Having gotten a little more into international music lately, Las Calakas comes out of nowhere to be a really fun listen. They've got plenty of punk influences, to be sure, but there's an element of this being sort of a party record throughout. While songs like "Top Down" won me over in particular, there's really nothing on here that isn't just a good time. I really loved this record, you probably will, too.
Songs of Note: "Top Down," "La Culebra," "Cumbia Maciza 2," "Calentura"

Artist: Savak
Album: Human Error / Human Delight
Quick Thoughts: Savak is a new act for me, but one that came as a real pleasant surprise. They're definitely leaning alt-indie, but my goodness do a lot of these songs hit just right. There is a lot to love here overall, and Savak is an act I'm looking forward to getting back to.
Songs of Note: "No Blues No Jazz," "Set Apart," "Recanted (Free the Singer)"

Artist: Primer
Album: Incubator
Quick Thoughts: Primer is yet another new listen for me, and this is exactly the sort of synthy poppy stuff I'm down for. This is an outstanding record with a lot going for it, and while I don't have a lot to say about it, it's worth the listen this week.
Songs of Note: "Things Fall Apart," "Feel the Way I Do"

Artist: Dear Rouge
Album: Spirit
Quick Thoughts: I've been a fan of Dear Rouge for a while now, and it feels like it's been a minute since we got an album from them. This is a pop record with a lot of catchy tracks across the board, and serves as an excellent reminder that Dear Rouge should be a lot bigger than they are. On a whole, a truly great album this week.
Songs of Note: "Facedown," "Small Talk," "Relationship Problems, "Meet Me At the Rio"

Artist: Camp Cope
Album: Running With the Hurricane
Quick Thoughts: Camp Cope does folky stuff on this record, for sure, but there's a sort of raw urgency to it that sets it apart and is likely, in part, informed by their prior punk leanings. When I listened to this one, I was taken by the overall presentation, and I especially love what they're doing with the bass lines in particular. On a whole, this album has the chance of flying under the radar, and you should really give it a listen.
Songs of Note: "Caroline," "Running with the Hurricane," "Love Like You Do"

Artist: The Honey Dewdrops
Album: Light Behind Light
Quick Thoughts: A shout-out to this rootsy/bluegrassy record, one that continually surprised me through its whole runtime. There's a level of ability and maturity in the songwriting that sets it apart, and it's got more than its share of folk influence to make it truly special. Make some time for this one.
Songs of Note: "Delia," "Luck"

Of note:

* Justin Golden - Hard Times and a Woman (Solid rootsy music.)
* Kurt Vile - (watch my moves) (Some great moments here.)
* JATK - Shut Up and Be the Light
* The Crystal Method - The Trip Out
* Typhoon - Underground Complex No. 1
* Animalweapon - Set of Constraints
* 50 Foot Wave - Black Pearl
* GRAE - Whiplash
* Sophia Bel - Anxious Avoidant
* Soul Glo - Diaspora Problems

EPs:

* Old Crow Medicine Show - Gloryland
* La Neve - History Solved
* Otoboke Beaver - Super Champon
* Peach Kelli Pop - Hardcovers
* Mal Blum - Ain't It Nice
* Gish - Febris / Felidae / Filum

Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

* Flock of Dimes - Head of Roses: Phantom Limb

Also out:

* Real Bad Man - On High Alert, Vol. 4
* SAULT - Air
* Cremation Lily - Dreams Drenched in Static
* The Chronomaster Project - The Android Messiah
* Jewel - Freewheelin' Woman

First Listen: New Releases for 1 March

Album of the Week:

Artist: The Honey Dewdrops
Album: Anyone Can See
Quick Description: Porch-style roots music.
Why You Should Listen: It's a gorgeous album reminiscent of so much of your favorite roots music.
Overall Thoughts: One of the few highlights of a mostly-lackluster Oscars last weekend was Dave Rawlings and Gillian Welch performing their song from The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. It reminded me how much I love what those two do when they collaborate, and this album is directly reminiscent of that. Great harmonies, solid folk music – it’s the whole package, and it’s exactly what I was looking for.
Recommendation: Easily the best of the week.

Artist: Matthew Mayfield
Album: Gun Shy
Quick Description: Mainstream-friendly alt-rock.
Why You Should Listen: It's indie enough for your sensibilities, but mainstream enough where your friends won't hate you for it.
Overall Thoughts: Matthew Mayfield clearly came from the Bob Schneider school of alt-rock, making alt-rock radio-friendly songs that work really well and are especially well-produced and ultimately make you wonder why this guy isn’t more famous than he is. For some, this may be a little too mainstream, but I found this to be a really enjoyable listen from a veteran rocker.
Recommendation: A great listen this week.

Artist: Little Simz
Album: GREY Area
Quick Description: Sneaky-yet-direct rap music.
Why You Should Listen: This is one of the better rap releases of the year so far.
Overall Thoughts: I really, really liked this. I know nothing about Little Simz, but holy crap can she rap. This is just a crazy impressive effort, both with the perfectly-handled background samples and how nonchalant Simz's delivery is throughout the whole affair. She makes it sound so easy, but it is still so aggressive and so great. If you're into rap music, you owe it to yourself to find some time for this, it's going to be one of those sneaky classics.
Recommendation: Don't miss this one.

Artist: Hand Habits
Album: Placeholder
Quick Description: Buzzworthy indie folk from Saddle Creek.
Why You Should Listen: This is going to remind you of a lot of things you like, but you'll still really enjoy this one.
Overall Thoughts: In a world full of indie folk-ish artists, Hand Habits certainly has a hill to climb to stand out, but I think this project ultimately does the trick. It's a solid indie singer-songwriter effort reminiscent of a lot of the the Baker/Dacus songwriting, but with a more Waxahatchee vibe. Plenty of buzz around this one, and all of it deserved.
Recommendation: One of the best of the week.

Artist: Hozier
Album: Wasteland, Baby!
Quick Description: New album from the breakout artist.
Why You Should Listen: You, like everyone else, loved "Take Me To Church."
Overall Thoughts: Hozier almost certainly knew he ran the risk of overexposure and of being pigeonholed after "Take Me To Church" became such a megahit. It's been a while since we've heard from him as a result, but this new album surprised me. It feels very true to what Hozier has been doing, yet still feels mainstream and accessible. The album hits from the first track, and it ultimately does not let up, and this is probably one you'll be hearing everywhere but not really worry too much about or get tired of.
Recommendation: A good listen!

Artist: Trampoline
Album: Happy Crimes
Quick Description: Multi-genre Canadian rock.
Why You Should Listen: There's almost certainly something for everyone here.
Overall Thoughts: This is one we missed, and it is a really strange one and yet is super interesting in terms of its pseudo-prog execution. I liked a lot of what I heard here, and there's just a lot going on that makes it difficult to truly describe. It's worth a listen for the fun and fascinating insanity of it all.
Recommendation: Worth the time.

Of note:

* Hawksley Workman - Median Age Wasteland (This is a pretty solid, mainstream folk album that features a song about Oksana Baiul. Take that as you will.)
* Reignwolf - Hear Me Out (Reignwolf remembers The White Stripes and heavy metal, and hopes you do too.)
* The Cactus Blossoms - Easy Way (Solid, breezy roots music.)
* Bill Janovitz - Covers of the Week Vol. 1 (Covers record by a legend in these parts.)
* Solange - When I Get Home
* Victor Krummenacher - Blue Pacific
* Lonesome Shack - Desert Dreams
* Durand Jones and the Indications - American Love Call
* Lomelda - M for Empathy
*

EPs:

* Della Mae - The Butcher Shoppe EP
* UV Rays - Try and Begin
* Anya Marina - Over You
* XYLO - Pretty Sad
* CZARFACE - Dog Days of Tomorrow

Also out:

* Weezer - The Black Album (Not as bad as you'd think, not as good as it could/should be.)
* Royal Trux - White Stuff