50% Hipster: (Sandy) Alex G

Saturday, October 26, 2019

My Favorite Things of the Week

Bob's Burgers is one of my favorite shows on TV, it's unexpected collaborations with some of my favorite musicians makes it even better. The National has been a constant presence on the show, but Fiona Apple has now lent her voice for this year's Halloween episode! There have already been Bob's Burgers albums released, so when we inevitably get the next edition, check it out on my Upcoming Releases page!

Omni has a sound characterized by jangly, precise guitar work. They will be releasing their third album, Networker, next month. They've previously released two songs from the records and released their latest, "Courtesy Call," this week.

A lot of covers make some sort of sense, artists cover other musicians that have inspired their sound in some evident way, or they cover contemporaries. Others seem to come out of nowhere, like (Sandy) Alex G's recent cover of Shania Twain's "You're Still the One."

Aldous Harding's videos find a way to be both strange and straightforward at the same time. Her latest video, for "Zoo Eyes," is no different, featuring the singer lip syncing her lyrics, but in a variety of outlandish costumes and epic makeup.

thesoundofvinyl.com

Jack Peñate is a British musician who released his most recent album, Everything Is New, back in 2009. Last week, he announced his first album in over a decade, After You. He's released two songs and videos for the album, "Prayer" and "Murder." The album will be released on November 29.

Also announced recently:

Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto - TWO: Live at Sydney Opera House (November 15)

Atlantics (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (November 15)

Beach Slang - The Deadbeat Bang of Heartbreak City (January 10)

The Beatles - The Singles Collection (November 22)

Beck - Hyperspace (November 22)

Bonny Light Horseman - Bonny Light Horseman (January 24)

Emily Yacina - Remember the Silver (December 6)

Fever Ray - Plunge Remix (December 13)

The Flaming Lips - The Soft Bulletin: Live at Red Rocks (November 29)

IDLES - A Beautiful Thing: IDLES Live at Le Bataclan (December 6)

Jonsí & Alex - Lost & Found (out now)

Jorge Elbrecht - Gloss Coma - 002 (December 10)

Lucy Dacus - 2019 (November 8)

Marcus King - El Dorado (January 17)

Mary J. Blige - HERstory, Vol. 1 (December 6)

Matty & Leland Whitty - TBA (November 1)

Mount Kimbie - WXAXRXP (November 15)

Nina Kraviz - MASSEDUCTION Rewired (December 13)

Queen & Slim (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (November 15)

Peter Bjorn and John - Endless Dream (March 13)

Poliça - When We Stay Alive (January 31)

Rata Negra - La Hija Del Sepulturero (November 1)

Robin Richards - Castel (December 6)

Upset - Upset (November 22)

Saturday, July 1, 2017

New Music Friday - May 19, 2017

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Aldous Harding - Party

My first exposure to Harding was back in September, when she opened for Deerhunter in concert. I was immediately blown away both by her music and her unique stage presence. It took a little while for me to find her self-titled debut album on vinyl. Not long after, she announced her follow-up. She's already worked her way up from a New Zealand-based label (she's from the country) to one of the more major of the British indie labels, 4AD. Her first outing with them is spectacular!

Watch: "Imagining My Man"
Watch: "Horizon"

Casey Dienel - Imitation of a Woman to Love

Casey Dienel is better known as White Hinterland, but first released music under her given name. She released her first album, Wind Up Canary, in 2006 before becoming White Hinterland. She's taking on multiple roles in her return to her name, serving as the singer, writer, producer, and engineer on this record.

Listen: "High Times"
Listen: "Thrasher"

Land of Talk - Life After Youth

Land of Talk is a Canadian band fronted by Elizabeth Powell. They first formed in 2006, but have not released new music since 2010's Cloak and Cipher. The band started teasing their return two years ago on their website. Their first album in seven years features vocals from Sharon van Etten on several tracks.

Watch: "This Time"
Watch: "Inner Lover"

The Mountain Goats - Goths

The Mountain Goats have long been well-known for John Darnielle's highly-conceptual lyrics. The singer-songwriter often references his loves in his music; including songs about heavy metal, and an entire album, 2015's Beat the Champ, devoted to his love of professional wrestling. Their latest is inspired by his teenage love of music by 80s goth bands like The Cure, Bauhaus, and Joy Division.

Listen: "Andrew Eldritch Is Moving Back to Leeds"
Listen: "Rain in Soho"

Other Full-Length Releases