New Music Friday - March 9, 2018

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

August Greene - August Greene August Greene is a new project from Common, which sees him working again with longtime collaborators Karriem Riggins and Robert Glasper. Bringing pianist Glasper into the fold underscores Common's longtime interest in marrying jazz and hip hop. The debut album from the trio also brings in a new collaborator, and a name that I had not heard in a while, Brandy! Watch: "Optimistic" (featuring Brandy) Listen: "Black Kennedy"

Liza Anne - Fine But Dying Fine But Dying is the third album from this artist from Georgia (the U.S. state). On the record, she deals head-on with past struggles with mental illness and the various interpersonal effects, as well as the conflict between internal state and outward appearance. Watch: "Paranoia" Watch: "Closest to Me"

Shamir - Resolution Resolution was a surprise release from Shamir. He had previously announced an EP, Room, and released a few songs from that project. It's not his first surprise release; last year, he released Hope before the more traditional release cycle of Revelations.

Young Fathers - Cocoa Sugar Young Fathers are a trio from Edinburgh. Their music is generally described as hip-hop, though that's a limiting descriptor for them. They also incorporate elements of pop, club music, and industrial. Cocoa Sugar is their third record. Watch: "In My View" Watch: "Lord"

Other Full-Length Releases

Albert Hammond Jr. - Francis Trouble Watch: "Muted Beatings" Watch: "Set to Attack"

David Byrne - American Utopia Watch: "Everybody’s Coming to My House" Listen: "This Is That" (featuring Oneohtrix Point Never)

Editors - Violence Watch: "Hallelujah (So Low)" Watch: "Magazine"

Nap Eyes - I’m Bad Now Watch: "Every Time the Feeling" Watch: "I’m Bad"

of Montreal - White Is Relic/Irrealis Mood Watch: "Plateau Phase/No Careerism No Corruption" Watch: "Paranoiac Intervals/Body Dysmorphia"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

David Byrne - Naked in Denver

Guided By Voices - Ogre’s Trumpet

Jimi Hendrix - Both Sides of the Sky Watch: "Lover Man" Listen: "Mannish Boy"

Logic - Bobby Tarantino II Listen: "Wassup" (featuring Big Sean) Listen: "State of Emergency" (featuring 2 Chainz)

Maria Usbeck - Bosque De Bambú Listen: "Bosque De Bambú"

Shamir - "Room" 7” Watch: "Room" Listen: "Caballero"

Tom Waits - Closing Time Vinyl Reissue Listen: "Closing Time" Listen: "Little Trip to Heaven"

Tom Waits - Under the Covers Listen: "Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag"

You Were Never Really Here: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

New Music Friday - July 31, 2015

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Albert Hammond Jr. - Momentary Masters When The Strokes got back together in 2009; I wasn't nearly as excited for it as teenage Joy would have been. During the years that they had been on break, several of the members released solo or side projects that were just incredible; including Albert Hammond Jr., who released a solo debut, Yours to Keep, in 2006. The albums that followed The Strokes' return were far from my favorites, so I am excited to see the members back in the solo game! Watch: "Losing Touch" Watch: "Born Slippy"

Lianne La Havas - Blood Lianne La Havas is a British folk and R&B singer of Jamaican and Greek heritage who released her first album, Is Your Love Big Enough?, three years ago. She became a critical and commercial darling following its release and found other artists like Alt-J and Prince among her fans (she appears on both of their albums last year). Compared to her first album, her follow-up is more soulful and upbeat. Watch: "What You Won’t Do" Watch: "Unstoppable"

Titus Andronicus - The Most Lamentable Tragedy Titus Andronicus have never been a band to shy away from conceptual albums. They've already made albums inspired by Seinfeld and the American Civil War, but this album may be their most ambitious yet. The Most Lamentable Tragedy is a "rock opera" following "Our Hero" over five acts; it's a statement on manic depression. They remain one of the few acts who make concept albums palatable and they've done it again! Watch: "Fatal Flaw" Watch: "Dimed Out"

Other Full-Length Releases

Adult Mom - Momentary Lapse of Happily Listen: "Survival" Listen: "Laying on My Floor"

Gunplay - Living Legend Watch: "Wuzhanindoe" Watch: "John Gotti Freestyle"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

BEAK - BEAK KAEB Watch: "The Broken Window" Watch: "There's No One"

Chet Faker - "1998" Listen: "1998" (featuring BANKS)

Ibeyi - "Exhibit Diaz" Watch: "Exhibit Diaz"

The Jesus and Mary Chain - Live at Barrowlands Listen: "Reverence"

Led Zeppelin - Coda Reissue Listen: "Sugar Mama" (Mix) Listen: "Darlene" (Remastered)

Led Zeppelin - In Through the Out Door Reissue Listen: "In the Evening" (Remastered) Listen: "Fool in the Rain"

Led Zeppelin - Presence Reissue Listen: "Achilles Last Stand" Listen: "Hots on for Nowhere" (Reference Mix)

Les Mouches - You’re Worth More to Me Than 1000 Christians Reissue Listen: "Cities Become Less Important" Listen: "Carload of Whatever"

Noel Gallagher’s High-Flying Birds - High-Flying Birds in 3D Listen: "The Right Stuff" (3D Remix - Version 1)

The Prophet: Music from the Motion Picture Watch: Damien Rice - "Hypnosis" Listen: Damien Rice - "On Children"

Thou - "Eyehatethou" Listen: "Eyehatethou"

Congratulations Albert Hammond, Jr!

Two days ago, The Strokes' guitarist Albert Hammond, Jr. married his girlfriend, Justyna Sroka. To announce the marriage, Albert posted the news on Twitter, including that she had taken his last name (including the "Jr."...cute!)

Hammond penned the track "St. Justice" from his recent EP for Justyna.

New Music Tuesday - 10/08/2013

New Full-Length Releases

Anna Calvi - One Breath While I started listening to Anna Calvi following the release of her eponymous debut album in 2011, it wasn't until I heard the early singles off this release that I really started to fall in love. Though she already had a strong, independent vibe going, it felt even stronger leading into her follow up. I've had a couple of weeks to listen to this album and to absolutely fall in love with it! Listen/Watch: "Sing to Me"

Cage the Elephant - Melophobia Cage the Elephant burst onto the scene in 2008 with their raucous and rebellious self-titled debut. Unfortunately, their follow-up, Thank You, Happy Birthday, didn't have quite the same magic. They sounded like a band that wanted to grow their sound, but didn't know how. I think they've figured it out with this one. While it still maintains much of what made their music so much fun in the first go-around, they also sound a bit more mature. Listen/Watch: "Come a Little Closer"

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. - The Speed of Things This band has such a deceptive name. On paper, you think you're going to get something incredibly silly, or really country. While some of their songs, and definitely most of their music videos, do have a certain silliness to them, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. may be one of the most talented  pop/indie rock bands out there. They demonstrate great lyrics, harmonies and melodies. All this, and they're still a lot of fun to listen to! Listen/Watch: "If You Didn't See Me (Then You Weren't on the Dancefloor)"

The Fratellis - We Need Medicine As I said last week, I thought that this band was done for. Like with Cage the Elephant, they released an awesome debut and followed it up with something very disappointing. And, like Cage the Elephant, the latest is a bit of a return to what they do well. I'm pretty happy to see The Fratellis return to form. They had released what was probably one of my favorite (and the most fun) albums of the British indie rock surge and they are nearly back to that sound here. Listen/Watch: "Seven Nights Seven Days"

Frog Eyes - Carey's Cold Spring The announcement of this latest album from Frog Eyes also came with some tragic news; frontman Carey Mercer had been diagnosed with throat cancer. Because of this, the band may not be touring in support of the record. Whatever happens in the bands future, and I'm sure all are praying for a successful recovery, they've put out a great record here. Listen/Watch: "Claxxon's Lament"

Glasser - Interiors I wasn't sure of how big a name Glasser really was. I stumbled across her debut album, Ring, a couple of years ago, but it didn't seem like I saw her name in very many places. I was scared I wouldn't know when she released a follow up. Thankfully, her name seemed to be everywhere when this album was announced. She's one of the few great experimental female artists, and I'm excited to see how she's grown on this follow up! Listen/Watch: "Design"

Lee Ranaldo and the Dust - Last Night on Earth All former members of Sonic Youth seem to be keeping themselves pretty busy, and Lee Ranaldo, the band's guitarist is no different. He released Between the Times and the Tides last year, and wasted no time in releasing this follow up. In contrast to the music put out by his former bandmates, his music is relatively lowkey; the others have maintained a closer tie to the band's punk aesthetics. I like it when artists step away from their bands and release something completely different. Listen: "Ambulancer"

of Montreal - lousy with sylvianbriar of Montreal are the purveyors of crazy, eclectic music accompanied by crazy album covers and even crazier live shows. For their latest offering, they home recorded on a 24-track tape machine (for a more vintage vibe) and have taken on a slight country sound. So, making their music even more eclectic than it already it. They're consistently one of the weirdest and most fun bands to listen to and this album should be no different! Listen/Watch: "Fugitive Air"

Pusha T - My Name Is My Name My self-education of hip hop continues! I first became familiar with Pusha T on last year's Cruel Summer compilation from GOOD Music. His was one of my favorite voices on the release and I decided that I wanted to hear more. It feels like I've been waiting for forever for this album, though. I heard the first single (below) way back in March and have been on pins and needles ever since. It's finally here and I think I might have a new favorite rapper! Listen/Watch: "Numbers on the Boards"

Sleigh Bells - Bitter Rivals When Sleigh Bells released their first album, Treats, in 2010, they seemed a bit like they would be a flash in the pan. Sure, they released something that was fairly unique, but it didn't seem like it would be a sound people would be interested in past one album. But they proved me wrong; they successfully grew their sound into a follow up, Reign of Terror, and again here. They've maintained the loud, feedback-heavy guitars, but there's enough else there to give them some longevity. Listen/Watch: "Bitter Rivals"

Other New Releases

Albert Hammond, Jr. - AHJ EP Throughout the releases of the last two Strokes albums, I've really been wishing for more side work from its members. Well, here's the first release since the band released 2011's Angles and thank God (my hopes for their return was not matched by the output)! I can only hope this means more solo work from the other members, especially Fab Moretti's Little Joy! Listen/Watch: "St. Justice"

How I Live Now Soundtrack How I Live Now is a 2013 film about a neurotic US teenager sent to live with family in the UK in the midst of war (that's about all I know about it since I've only seen a trailer). In true fashion for British cinema, it has what promises to be an incredible soundtrack, provided by electronic artist Jon Hopkins. It also includes tracks from Amanda Palmer and Natasha Khan (aka Bat for Lashes). So yeah, pretty awesome! Listen/Watch: Natasha Khan & Jon Hopkins - "Garden's Heart"

Parquet Courts - Tally All the Things That You Broke EP I jumped on the Parquet Courts bandwagon a little bit late. They released their second full-length, Light Up Gold, last year, but I only started listening this year. It's good punk music, though. This is their follow up to that critically successful album. Listen/Watch: "You Got Me Wonderin' Now"

Passion Pit - Constant Conversations EP Passion Pit released a pretty decent sophomore album, Gossamer, in summer of last year. "Constant Conversations" was one of the singles from that album and now it's getting the inevitable remix treatment. The EP features a remix from Dillon Francis and a pair of new tracks. Listen/Watch: "Constant Conversations"

RED HOT + FELA Red Hot is an organization which promotes AIDS awareness. Over the 23 years, they have released compilation albums, always featuring a diverse selection of artists performing songs with a particular theme. This album features musicians such as tUnE-yArDs, Sinkane and My Morning Jacket performing covers of songs by the legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti. Listen: tUnE-yArDs, ?uestlove, Angelique Kidjo, Akua Naru - “Lady”