If It's Too Loud...

It's always slow during the holidays, so here's some stuff we missed and some new releases for the new year. Artist : Lauren Oxford Album : Lauren Oxford Quick Thoughts : This one came out of Ken and I'd current obsession with Music League, and it is a gorgeous, stark folk affair that hits all the right notes for us. I'll say, in particular, "Paint Myself Trying" is perhaps the most brutally honest song about mental health struggles I've heard in a decade. It's such a great album, guys, you should absolutely make it a point to check this one out. Songs of Note : "Magnitude," "Paint Myself Trying" Artist : Loyle Carner Album : hugo Quick Thoughts : In a 2022 with a lot of rap albums that stood apart, missing Loyle Carner's effort felt big. A song like "Nobody Knows" is one thing entirely, which is as good as any high-profile rap record out there, but then you have songs like "HGU" that seem to lev...

Artist : Liz Lawrence Album : The Avalanche Quick Thoughts : Liz Lawrence writes extremely catchy songs, and this album is a loud, brash collection of 'em. If you were lucky enough to trip up on "USP" a few years back, you know what you're getting into here. Criminally underrated, if there's any justice this will be a mainstream hit. Songs of Note : "Down for Fun," "Babies," "I'll Go On," "Where the Bodies are Buried" Artist : Christo Graham Album : Graham's General Store Quick Thoughts : Ken sent this one over, and, man, I really enjoyed my time with this. It's got an earnest appeal that hits me right in my small town-loving heart. The album might not work for everyone, but if you like roots-tinged folk, you'd do yourself a favor in listening to this. Songs of Note : "Phone a Friend," "Nothin' Works" Artist : Molly Payton Album : Slack Quick Thoughts : Probably my favorite...

Artist : Moontype Album : Bodies of Water Quick Thoughts : I think I fell in love with Moontype when I first heard "Ferry" last year. It's a fuzzy, dreamy explosion of music that feels beguiling and direct all at the same time, and the album delivers on the same energy. I find it fills the void that's been waiting impatiently for a new Field Mouse album, so if you dig that sort of thing, don't miss this one. Songs of Note : "Lush," "Ferry," "About You" Artist : GRMLN Album : Dark Music in the Sun Quick Thoughts : GRMLN is maybe the first act I've seen in a while that seems to be trying to bring the early-aughts Strokes soundscape into the 2020s. "Superstar" could have been a b-side off Room on Fire for all I know. Still, it's solid garage rock and I'm here for it. Songs of Note : "Superstar," "The Way it Ends," "Star Eye" Artist : Dry Cleaning Album : New Long Leg Qui...