If It's Too Loud...

Artist : Queen of Jeans Album : All Again Quick Thoughts : Been a fan of Queen of Jeans for a bit and this album is definitely a play for the folk-rock mainstream, but songs like "Karaoke" are radio-friendly in the best way, and "Last to Try" one of the better songs they've thrown together. This could be a breakthrough for them, so check this one out. Songs of Note : "All My Friends," "Karaoke," "Neighbors," "Bitter Pill," "Last to Try" Artist : Towa Bird Album : American Hero Quick Thoughts : Towa Bird is a young guitarist out of the NYC area, and this debut full-length is Charlotte Hatherley by way of Girl in Red. Confessional, hazy rock songs with a little edge and a lot of fun, even the parts that feel like they might stumble out of control (like "B.I.L.L.S.," which could be cringeworthy in less skilled hands) work well. This is a great record from a great talent, and I'm looking forw...

Artist : David Wax Museum Album : Line of Light Quick Description : New album by a local and blog favorite. Why You Should Listen : This might be their best effort yet. Overall Thoughts : This blog likely doesn’t exist if it weren’t for David Wax Museum, so any time there’s a new David Wax Museum album, it’s an event around here. Ken was more into their last proper full-length, Gatehouse , than I was, but I am so happy to note that the tonal shift of that album comes into a full vision with this album. The Mexican folk influences are subdued enough to be in the background (if they exist at all), and what we have is a band entering a phase of their career where more introspective, atmospheric folk is their game and they’re absolutely killing it. A number of these songs grabbed me really quick, and there are so many gorgeous options here that it’s hard to choose an early favorite. I am absolutely looking forward to coming back to this. Recommendation : One of the best of the w...

We're already a quarter of the way through the year! What?! Album of the Week : Artist : Kasey Musgraves Album : Golden Hour Quick Description : Latest from country music's... uh, bad girl? I don't know. Why You Should Listen : Kasey Musgraves is the most interesting mainstream country singer going. Overall Thoughts : Kasey Musgraves is pretty much known as the mainstream country artist that people who hate mainstream country listen to. And while she’s making some serious waves with “Space Cowboy,” songs like “High Horse” suggest a Swiftian pivot in the near future. It’s a great album, all things considered - a lot of the attitude that I always read about finally shows its face for me here in ways her previous records did not but if you listen to Musgraves for her outlaw-adjacent attitude, it’s possibly missing here for you. Still, this is a sneaky great record, and if you've resisted jumping on the bandwagon... Recommendation : ...plenty of room for now. ...