Tuesday, April 18, 2023

First Listen: New Releases for 14 April 2023

Artist: Bodywash
Album: I Held the Shape While I Could
Quick Thoughts: This one was a really pleasant surprise. It's like a nice mix between shoegze and electronic-infuenced alt-rock. The album has that perfect hazy feel with a ton going for it, and I'm looking forward to getting back to this one quite a bit.
Songs of Note: "Picture Of," "Massif Central," "Perfect Blue," "Sterilizer"

Artist: Kid Koala
Album: Creatures of the Late Afternoon
Quick Thoughts: The consistently underrated turntablist is back with a very enjoyable record. The beats are great, it's got a nice sense of humor, and it's a good reminder that electronic music can be a lot of fun. I loved this a lot more than I thought I would, so check it out.
Songs of Note: "Hear Now," "Get Level," "The Cards"

Artist: El Michels Affair and Black Thought
Album: Glorious Game
Quick Thoughts: Easily my favorite listen of the week. El Michels Affair makes cinematic instrumental music better than perhaps any other act, and they've worked with Wu Tang in the past so this collaboration with Black Thought makes a lot of sense, and WOW does it work. The whole thing is tremendous, and balances out the great musicality with some excellent rap. Do not miss out on this.
Songs of Note: "Grateful," "Protocol," "The Weather"

Artist: Jonathan Bree
Album: Pre-Code Hollywood
Quick Thoughts: Jonathan Bree is a name I've seen around for a bit, but never dove in. This album is a fascinating presentation that's as much art as it is pop, and it really worked for me in ways I didn't anticipate. This isn't going to work for everyone, but if you're into the more high-class artsy singer-songwriter pop, you should make some time for this.
Songs of Note: "Pre-Code Hollywood," "Miss You," "Politics"

Artist: Chappaqua Wrestling
Album: Plus Ultra
Quick Thoughts: I wanted to highlight Chappaqua Wrestling, which has that sort of post-punk/shoegazey feel while still being modern and immediate. This British band's debut kept surprising me throughout its runtime, and it's probably the best pure rock record I've heard in a while. Give this a listen.
Songs of Note: "Full Round Table," "Wayfinding," "My Fall"

Artist: Natalie Merchant
Album: Keep Your Courage
Quick Thoughts: Natalie Merchant has been at this for more than 40 years now, and I honestly went into this album thinking I wouldn't last long. Turns out I really, really enjoyed this. There's an immediacy to it that I don't feel like we've gotten from her in some time, and a welcome return of sorts. It's worth the listen, check it out.
Songs of Note: "Come On, Aphrodite," "Eye of the Storm," "Tower of Babel"

Artist: Josienne Clarke
Album: Onliness
Quick Thoughts: It's a busy-ish week, but don't sleep on Josienne Clarke, who has an album here that is maybe the best folk record you'll hear this week. Just a lovely listen with song after song worth hearing. Don't miss out.
Songs of Note: "The Birds," "Homemade Heartache," "Chicago," "I Never Learned French," "Workhorse"

Of note:

* Frost Children - Speed Run (Delightfully chaotic.)
* Phoria - River Oblivion
* Feist - Multitides
* Shannon Lay - Covers Vol. 1
* Pynch - Howling at a Concrete Moon
* Petite Noir - MotherFather
* Laveda - A Place You Grew Up In
* Pearly Drops - A Little Disaster
* Temples - Exotico
* Mute Duo - Migrant Flocks
* Kicksie - Slouch
* Kwengface - The Memoir
* Fenne Lily - Big Picture
* The Wood Brothers - Heart is the Hero
* Penny Rich - If Everyone's an Expert, What's Left to be Learnt?
* Penelope Trappes - Heavenly Spheres
* Fruit Bats - A River Running To Your Heart

EPs:

* Pet Shop Boys - Lost
* Fox Medicine - Doom Candy
* Proc Fiskal - RT Hon EP
* Magdalena Bay - mini mix vol. 3
* John Vanderslice - CRYSTALS 3.0
* Goat - Seu Sangue EP
* Patrick Wolf - The Night Safari
* Bad Sounds - Escaping from a Violent Time, Volume III
* audiobooks - Gulliver EP
* Jayla Kai - The Short Song Project III
* Angel Olsen - Forever Means
* cruush - Wishful Thinker

Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

* Shygirl - Nymph_o

Also out:

* Initiate - Cerebral Circus

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