First Listen: New Releases for 18 December

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A scheduling note: barring any major changes, this will be the final First Listen of 2020, with the first big release day of 2021 as its return. Enjoy the holidays, everyone.

Artist: Joel Paterson
Album: Let It Be Acoustic Guitar!
Quick Description: Solo acoustic guitar version of the Beatles classic album.
Why You Should Listen: This is great for anyone, not just fans of The Beatles.
Overall Thoughts: I've liked basically everything Paterson's done so far. His guitar work is unmatched in his space, and he has just as much love for the classics as he does more modern fare. I'm not the biggest fan of The Beatles by a longshot, but this is a really great interpretation of an album with more of its share of popular Beatles tunes. It'd be worth it in a busy week, but definitely worth it in this light release period.
Recommendation: Make the time.

Artist: Becca Stevens and Elan Mehler

Album: Pallet on Your Floor
Quick Description: A quiet, restrained collaboration.
Why You Should Listen: Becca Stevens is excellent at this sort of deliberative effort, and this is a great look at some slow jazz interpretations.
Overall Thoughts: Elan Mehler has some Massachusetts roots, but this collaboration goes back a while, and the result has always been solid. This is the type of lockdown album we expect: it provides the feel of being stuck in a room with nothing more than a few scattered instruments and your voice, and it's a really gorgeous listen on a whole. It might not work for everyone, but I'm glad I heard it.
Recommendation: Give it a shot.

Of note:

* KRS-One - Between Da Protests (If you're looking for some angry protest music (or book recommendations), this is your album.)
* Paul McCartney - McCartney III (This is more than fine, but it's not what you want it to be.)
* Pure Bathing Culture - Hats
* Wax On - Sprezzatura
* Baauer - Planet's Mad (Globe's Crazy)
* The Lemon Drop Gang - I'm Not the One
* Michael Christmas - Hiding
* Muck and the Mires - Greetings from Muckingham Palace

Christmas music:

* Lizzie No - Holidays
* Lost Christmas: A Festive Memphis Industries Selection Box

EPs:

* Layzi - Layzi (This is worth keeping an eye on.)
* Hayley Williams - Petals for Armor: Self-Serenades
* Hologram Teen - Pizza Conspiracy (Reheated)
* Kiesza - Dark Tales EP
* Armin van Buuren - Euthymia
* Tycho - Weather Remixes
* Pye Corner Audio - Black Mill Tapes Vol. 5: The Lost Tapes
* Destiny Claymore - Pretty
* Karen Elson - Radio Redhead, Vol. 1
* The Cavemen. - Euthanise Me

Also out:

* Maggie Rogers - Notes from the Archive: Recordings 2011 - 2016
* DJ Douggpound and Vic Berger IV - Drop Concert
* Eminem - Music To Be Murdered By

On Repeat...

Liam Kazar - "Shoes Too Tight"

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Photo by Alexa Viscius This may be Liam Kazar's debut single, but the Chicago based musician already has an impressive resume, having worked with Jeff Tweedy, Chance the Rapper, Steve Gunn, Daniel Johnston, and others. "Shoes Too Tight" features childhood friend Spencer Tweedy on drums, Lane Beckstrom on bass, and Ohmme on vocals. It's an absurdly fun and groovy little song that is a party waiting to happen. What he gives us here is a timeless song that could truly have been released any time since the 1960's (ok... maybe not the 80's...) There are elements of classic rock, 60's crooners and R&B, indie rock, modern Americana... it's really just packed with everything in a cohesive song that maintains the vibe the entire way through. You can watch the video for "Shoes Too Tight" below. For more on Liam Kazar, check him out on Instagram and Twitter . He's also raising money on his Bandcamp for Constellation and The Hungry Brain. ...
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Dutch ReBelle - "GOONIEZ"

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How is Dutch ReBelle not a national superstar at this point? The Boston MC just released "GOONIEZ," and I know I'm a bit out of touch with current mainstream hip hop, but this song is absolutely killer. It's a stripped down hip hop song that has this futuristic space age sound to it. Plus, ReBelle's flow is unsurpassed. You can't listen to her and not be completely sucked in. The song has a feel reminiscent of classic Missy Elliott. As much as I love that we can still see Dutch ReBelle in smaller Boston venues, "GOONIEZ" proves she should be playing much larger venues nationwide very, very soon. You can watch the video for "GOONIEZ" below. For more on Dutch ReBelle, check out the artist's website . 
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The Freqs - "Witch"

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Photo via Facebook When you're a rock band from Salem, MA, you have to have at least one song about witchcraft. The Freqs have fulfilled their obligation with a banger of a song. "Witch" is this giant monster of a song, filled with fuzz and strained, screaming vocals. This is the type of song that doesn't usually exist in this century. It's giving me some serious 90's flashbacks, like if Hum got aggressive or Alice in Chains decided to do some damage on the college charts. As great as the vocals are in "Witch," what's really drawing me in is the instrumental break down that takes over about halfway through. This is the kind of song to make the hipsters and the headbangers equally excited. You can listen to "Witch" below. For more on The Freqs, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram . The Freqs · Witch
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