First Listen: New Releases for 13 June 2022

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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"

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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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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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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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