First Listen: New Releases for 9 June 2023

Artist: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Album: Weathervanes
Quick Thoughts: Jason Isbell is considered one of our great modern country songwriters for good reason, but this new album is a real step up across the board. Easily my favorite thing he's put out - if you can't listen to "Death Wish" without feeling something, anything at all, I don't know what to tell you. One of the best of the week, best of the month, maybe even one of the best of the year. Just a tremendous effort.
Songs of Note: "White Beretta," "Death Wish," "Save the World," "Cast Iron Skillet," "This Ain't It"

Artist: TEKE::TEKE
Album: Hagata
Quick Thoughts: We've been progressively more obsessed with TEKE::TEKE upon each new release. This latest effort is just wonderful, with a great parade of great songs right off the top that don't let up. TEKE::TEKE is likely one of the best kept secrets in music right now, so don't miss out.
Songs of Note: "Garakuta," "Gotoku Lemon," "Hoppe," "Kaikijyu"

Artist: Dream Wife
Album: Social Lubrication
Quick Thoughts: I liked Dream Wife's debut record, and there's no sophomore slump here. This one is even more socially conscious and angry than their previous effort, and songs like "Leech" and "Hot" juat stick themselves into your brain and don't let go. This is solid listen in a busy week, and Dream Wife shouldn't be ignored if there's any justice in the world.
Songs of Note: "Hot (Don't Date a Musician)," "Social Lubrication," "Leech," "Orbit"

Artist: Jess Williamson
Album: Time Ain't Accidental
Quick Thoughts: Jess Williamson has been a busy musician of late, between her recent collaboration with Katie Crutchfield and her great 2020 album. Time Ain't Accidental is another one of those roots-tinged folk records that just work, and in a way that a lot of singer-songwriters wish they could pull off. A ton to love here, and a mandatory listen this week.
Songs of Note: "Time Ain't Accidental," "God in Everything," "Something's in the Way," "Roads"

Artist: Janelle Monae
Album: The Age of Pleasure
Quick Thoughts: The multi-talented Monae is back with a quick set of songs that fully sheds the android persona once and for all in favor of some fun, forward-thinking R&B. It's impossible for me not to love this record even though I miss the Archandroid era, but Janelle Monae's talent is just as much her ability to swerve as it is to excel. A great listen this week.
Songs of Note: "Champagne Shit," "Phenominal," "Haute," "Lipstick Lover," "Water Slide"

Artist: Jenny Lewis
Album: Joy'All
Quick Thoughts: Why isn't Jenny Lewis the most popular singer-songwriter in the world? Damned if I know, because every time I listen to a new Jenny Lewis album I'm thinking "man, how did I forget she's so good?" Whether it's more saccharine like "Puppy in a Truck" or more serious like "Chain of Tears," she makes it work. Really enjoyed this.
Songs of Note: "Psychos," "Puppy and a Truck," "Cherry Baby," "Chain of Tears"

Artist: Carmel Liburdi
Album: Linwood
Quick Thoughts: One of my newish favorite folkies is back with a new album that is a little less coffeehouse than their previous effort while still providing a ton of great, fun folk music. In a busy week, make time for this - you'll almost certainly find something to love, if not all of it.
Songs of Note: "*Poof* Be Gone," "Type of Person," "Frankly"

Of note:

* Noah Kahan - Stick Season (We'll All Be Here Forever) (Solid folky effort.)
* Wobbly - Additional Kids (A really interesting electronic/plunder listen.)
* feeble little horse - Girl with Fish (Lots of grungy goodness here.)
* The Dead Milkmen - Quaker City Quiet Pills * Andy Stack and Jay Hammond - Inter Personal * Fredfades - Caviar * six impala - EARWAX * Dudu Tassa and Jonny Greenwood - Jarak Qaribak * This is the Kit - Careful of Your Keepers * Christine and the Queens - PARANOIA, ANGELS, TRUE LOVE * Kenneth Lien and Center of the Universe - Snu hver stein * Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors - Strangers No More * Natalie Rose LeBrecht - Holy Prana Open Game * Certain Times - Desire * jellyskin - In Brine * Decisive Pink - Ticket to Fame * Anna St. Louis - In the Air * The Boo Radleys - Eight * Joe Armon-Jones and Maxwell Owin - Archetype * Lightning Dust - Nostalgia Killer EPs:

* Olaf Dreijer and MT. Sims - Souvenir * George FitzGerald - Not As I EP * Anna Ash - The Love You Leave * Wombo - Slab * Rico Nasty - A Nasty Summer * Odonis Odonis - ICON * Catie Turner - Comedy & Tragedy: Act 1 * Lake Haze - Everything Was Melting EP * Gupi - check-in Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

Also out:

* BabyTron - 6