If It's Too Loud...

Artist : Kim Gordon Album : The Collective Quick Thoughts : Someone on Twitter said that Kim won the divorce re: the breakup of Sonic Youth, and it's really really hard not to listen to The Collective and disagree. Someone who turns 71 this year should not be making music this interesting and this far off the beaten trap and making it work. "BYE BYE" is having its moment on social media for sure, but the industrial-esque pseudo-trap feel of this whole package is just stunning both in its scope and its musicality. This isn't going to work for everybody, not that Sonic Youth ever did, but wow, this album. Songs of Note : "BYE BYE," "The Believers," "The Candy House," "Dream Dollar" Artist : Weezy Ford Album : In the Movement Quick Thoughts : Outside of The Barbaras, we haven't heard from either of the Ford sisters in a few years, and Weezy Ford's second full-length album is a really gorgeous slice of retro roots...

Artist : Lula Wiles Album : What Will We Do Quick Description : Folky, rootsy goodness. Why You Should Listen : Lula Wiles is doing something pure and lovely. Overall Thoughts : We missed this one last week and regret it, because it’s great. Think a low-key Wolff Sisters – expertly-crafted folk/roots music with some beautiful harmonies and instrumentation. It’s a great listen for a host of reasons, but mostly because it’s one of those under the radar listens that deserves wider attention and praise. Don’t sleep on this, especially if you’re into folky tunes. Recommendation : A must-hear. Artist : Weezy Ford Album : Sugarcane Quick Description : Long-awaited debut album from the blues rock indie artist. Why You Should Listen : Weezy Ford absolutely makes her own sound in a well-worn genre. Overall Thoughts : We got into Weezy Ford due to her sibling, Sallie, but Weezy’s long-awaited debut album forges her own path. Sure, it’s still bluesy rock, but Weezy feels like she’...

Photo via Facebook It's been three years since Weezy Ford released her EP Bobbypin Graveyard. Based on her latest single, "Pools of Dreams," she took that time to completely retool her sound. The new song doesn't have a single hint of the retro rock her previous releases had. In fact, guitar isn't even used on the song. Instead, "Pools of Dreams" is a haunting, synth heavy track that's more on the lines of the noisier side of shoegaze than we could have previously expected. It's always interesting to hear an artist completely change their sound, particularly this early in their career.  You can watch the video for "Pools of Dreams" below. Sugarcane , the new album from Weezy Ford, will be out November 15. For more on Weezy Ford, check out her website . Pools of Dreams from Arturo Martinini on Vimeo .

This might be the last big new release week for a while, so let's dive right in! Album of the Week : Artist : Childish Gambino Album : "Awaken, My Love!" Quick Description : Donald Glover puts aside the nerd rap in favor of a funky pastiche. Why You Should Listen : Donald Glover is a must watch/listen/read no matter what. Overall Thoughts : Looking at this solely as a Childish Gambino project, it's hard not to see it as a strange diversion from what's worked. But if we look at this from Donald Glover as an artist, following his leaving Community and through the amazing FX show Atlanta , it's hard not to see this as one of those sort of essential pieces that needs more time to be unpacked. It's clear he's going for a message, similar to other R&B acts this year, but it's hard not to hear some old style funk as a message in and of itself about Glover's artistry on its own. This won't work for everyone, I understand that, but.....

Last week Weezy Ford, sister of Sallie Ford, released her debut EP, Bobbypin Graveyard. Interestingly, none of the songs from her Soundcloud that we covered last year are on this five song EP, so we get a completely fresh look at Ford. Bobbypin Graveyard  isn't quite as barebones as "Phantom Lover" was. These songs just barely brush into the indie rock meets soul sound that her sister has mastered, but I mean just barely. The opening track, "You Ain't Gonna Find It," might be the closest. It has this weirdly great dichotomy with the instrumentation being heavy blues with Weezy's voice having an almost vulnerable quality. "Shakey Knees" is my personal favorite track of the album, and just amps up the dirty aggressive blues rock aspect. It sounds as if a 60s girl group backup singer took over vocal duties for The White Stripes. It's such a joy to hear music that is so raw and sweet at the same time. The EP is an absolute blast, and complet...

I know next to nothing about Weezy Ford, except for the following two things: 1. She's Sallie Ford's sister. 2. She has two songs on Soundcloud . I've looked for some kind of web presence for her. Maybe a Facebook, Twitter, Bandcamp... all the usual places, but all I've found is this Soundcloud. Normally, we music journalist types like to report a little more on an artist's background, but these songs are insanely good, so I wanted to make sure you heard them. "Phantom Lover" definitely has some similarities to her sister's music, but Weezy is a little more stripped down. It's a barebones indie rock doo wop sound. Her voice seems a little hesitant on these songs, and that just adds a layer of vulnerability. It's really good, and you should check it out.