First Listen: New Releases for 13 June 2022

Artist: Mapache
Album: Roscoe's Dream
Quick Thoughts: We were a little late to the Mapache party, but we're ultimately glad we showed up. Roscoe's Dream is a gorgeous slice of roots music, and it's especially solid in the way that it doesn't mind being a little fun or cheeky along the way. Mapache understands the value of joyful music, and there's plenty of it here that ultimately sets the act apart from so many other musicians in this space. In an odd release week on a whole, this is more than worth the time.
Songs of Note: "I Love My Dog," "Man and Woman," "Diana," "Light My Fire," "Love Can't Hold Me"

Artist: gglum
Album: Weak Teeth
Quick Thoughts: I do not know how I tripped up on gglum or even how to say their name, but Weak Teeth is such a great indie record that it's difficult to ignore. Judged by its cover, you'd expect something louder or more frenetic, but this really borrws more from Daddy Issues than the sort of grungy alt-rock throwbacks we tend to love in these parts. Overall, a short but interesting and compelling listen.
Songs of Note: "Teen Sweat," "Things You Said," "Weak Teeth"

Artist: Winona Oak
Album: Island of the Sun
Quick Thoughts: In some ways, I feel like Winona Oak has been around for ages. Her features on some major mainstream acts aside, I was surprised that this was her debut album considering how complete and singular it is. This is definitely electronic Nordic pop, and unabashedly so. It's a truly fun listen and one I'm definitely looking forward to getting back to.
Songs of Note: "Island of the Sun," "My Man," "Nothing to Lose"

Artist: Michaela Anne
Album: Oh To Be That Free
Quick Thoughts: Another folky listen this week, the songwriting here in particular is outstanding, with "Dirty Secrets" in particular keeping residence in my head all weekend long. If you like the more folky stuff, don't miss this one at all, as you'll probably fall hard for it.
Songs of Note: "Chasing Days," "Dirty Secrets"

Of note:

* Fixions - Requiem for the Serpents World (Really interesting electronic music.)
* The Slocan Ramblers - Up the Hill and Through the Fog (Solid classic-sounding roots effort.)
* Green/Blue - Paper Thin (A lot of great moments for this indie rock record.)
* XYLØ - unamerican beauty (A long-awaited and excellent poppy debut album.)
* Grace Ives - Janky Star
* Vance Joy - In Our Own Sweet Time
* Neneh Cherry - The Versions
* Sinead O'Brien - Time Bend and Break the Bower
* The Ghost Wolves - Never Die
* Floating World Pictures - The Twenty-three Views
* Joyce Manor - 40 oz. to Fresno
* Free the Robots - Kawuda
* Kula Shaker - 1st Congregational Church of Eternal Love (and Free Hugs)
* The Inflorescence - Remember What I Look Like
* Haley Johnsen - Goner

EPs:

* Rusty - The Resurrection of Rust (Reunion of an old Elvis Costello project.)
* Deena Abdelwahed and Basile3 - Free Radicals
* Aunt Kelly - Remember
* Sarah Kinsley - Cypress
* pigbaby - Palindromes
* Bloomsday - Place to Land
* Jenny Owen Youngs - It's Dangerous To Go Alone
* Ron Basejam - Music People EP
* awakebutstillinbed/For Your Health - Hymns for the Scorned
* Allison Ponthier - Shaking Hands With Elvis
* Blackhaine - Armour II
* Paradis Artificiel - Don't Call Us, We'll Call You
* Major Murphy - Access Point
* Yumi Nu - Hajime
* JD McPherson - The Warm Covers EP, Vol. 2
* Caroline Kingsbury - Remixes From Heaven
* Rise Against - Nowhere Generation II

Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

* Patty Griffin - Tape
* Black Country, New Road - Ants From Up There (Deluxe)

On Repeat...

Liam Kazar - "Shoes Too Tight"

Dutch ReBelle - "GOONIEZ"

The Freqs - "Witch"