New Music Friday - June 2, 2017

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Amber Coffman - City of No Reply Coffman was previously a member of the Dirty Projectors before being left out of their most recent record, which was basically a Dave Longstreth solo project. Despite what one may assume given the drama around that album, Longstreth was a integral part of the writing and recording of this record, and also produced the record. Written before the fallout, this album contains none of the anger or vitriol of Dirty Projectors, but is instead light and poppy. Watch: "No Coffee" Watch: "All to Myself"

Benjamin Booker - Witness Witness is the sophomore album from Booker, following his 2014 self-titled debut. The album came about following an extended sojourn to Mexico that Booker embarked on in an attempt to overcome writer's block. It was inspired in part by events such as the killing of Trayvon Martin and the Black Lives Matter movement. Listen: "Witness" (featuring Mavis Staples) Listen: "Believe"

Chastity Belt - I Used to Spend So Much Time Alone This is the third album from Chastity Belt, who debuted in 2013 with No Regerts and followed that up two years ago with Time to Go Home. On this album, the band does what any good ensemble should do overtime, grows up. They started out with with high-energy instrumentals and humorous lyrics, but turn their focus inward here, with lyrics detailing the anxieties and doubts of life. Watch: "Different Now" Watch: "Used to Spend"

Dan Auerbach - Waiting on a Song Auerbach is best known as the guitarist and frontman for The Black Keys, but has been pursuing various projects outside the band over the past couple of years, including producing and another band, The Arcs. Waiting on a Song is not his first solo record; he first went solo in 2009 with Keep It Hid, which was a bluesier outing. His second solo record is lighter and more influenced by country and soul from the 70s. Watch: "Waiting on a Song" Watch: "King of a One Horse Town"

Noga Erez - Off the Radar Erez is an Israeli electronic musician who grew up with piano and guitar lessons, studied composition, and served as a military musician in the Israeli army. Her music is often political, detailing life surrounded by war and single horrific events. Off the Radar is her debut album. Watch: "Toy" Watch: "Off the Radar"

Other Full-Length Releases

alt-J - Relaxer Watch: "Adeline" Watch: "In Cold Blood"

Beach Fossils - Somersault Watch: "Down the Line" Watch: "Saint Ivy"

Bleachers - Gone Now Watch: "Don’t Take the Money" Watch: "I Miss Those Days"

Celebration - Wounded Healer Watch: "Rolling On" Listen: "Freedom Ring"

Charlie Fink - Cover My Tracks Watch: "I Was Born to Be a Cowboy" Watch: "Firecracker"

Jesu/Sun Kil Moon - 30 Seconds to the Decline of Planet Earth Listen: "He’s Bad"

Marika Hackman - I’m Not Your Man Watch: "Boyfriend" Watch: "My Lover Cindy"

Mutoid Man - War Moans Listen: "Kiss of Death" Listen: "Melt Your Mind"

Pixx - The Age of Anxiety Watch: "I Bow Down" Watch: "Waterslides"

Roger Waters - Is This the Life We Really Want? Watch: "The Last Refugee" Listen: "Déjà Vu"

Smidley - Smidley Watch: "Dead Retrievers" Watch: "Fuck This"

Spectre Folk - Vol. 4 Listen: "Blowing Tornadoes" Listen: "Bremsstrahlung"

TOPS - Sugar at the Gate Watch: "Petals" Watch: "Further"

Ulrika Spacek - Modern English Decoration Watch: "Full of Men" Listen: "Mimi Pretend"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

Amber Arcades - Cannonball Watch: "Can’t Say That We Tried" Watch: "Wouldn’t Even Know" (featuring Bill Ryder Jones)

Ashleigh Ball - Gold in You Watch: "Crazy" Watch: "Gold in You"

Depeche Mode - Black Celebration Reissue Listen: "Black Celebration" Listen: "Fly on the Windscreen"

Depeche Mode - Music for the Masses Reissue Watch: "Never Let Me Down Again" Listen: "The Things You Said"

Depeche Mode - Some Great Reward Reissue Listen: "Something to Do" Listen: "Lie to Me"

Iggy Pop - The Idiot Reissue Listen: "Nightclubbing" Listen: "China Girl"

Iggy Pop - Lust for Life Reissue Watch: "Lust for Life" Listen: "The Passenger"

Iggy Pop - TV Eye Reissue

The Kills - Echo Home - Non-Electric EP Watch: "Wait" (Non-Electric) Watch: "Desperado" (Non-Electric)

Mavis Staples - Mavis Staples: I’ll Take You There - An All-Star Concert Celebration Listen: "I’ll Take You There" Listen: "Eyes on the Prize"

PARTYNEXTDOOR - COLOURS 2 Listen: "Peace of Mind" Listen: "Freak in You"

Wilder Maker - "New Streets"/"Only Child" Watch: "Only Child" Listen: "New Streets"

Wonder Woman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Listen: Sia - "To Be Human" (featuring Labrinth) Listen: Rupert Gregson-Williams - "Wonder Woman’s Wrath"

New Music Friday - June 24, 2016

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Broods - Conscious Broods is a duo out of New Zealand who released their first album, Evergreen, in 2014. On their second album, they get some help from some other pop superstars; including Tove Lo and fellow New Zealander Lorde, who co-wrote one of the album's singles, "Heartlines." Watch: "Free" Watch: "Heartlines"

Deerhoof - The Magic Deerhoof has always enticed fans with their experimental noise pop sound. They began to scale that back a bit over the past couple of albums, opting for a simpler sound, but never straying far from what they've become known for. They take it back another notch on this record, looking to the music they listened to as kids for inspiration. Of course, they have different backgrounds with members from both the States and Japan. The result is bound to still recall a variety of styles and genres. Watch: "Criminals of the Dream" Watch: "Debut"

Delorean - Muzik Delorean's music has always had elements of dance music to, though they still primarily used guitars in their work. Their latest album, which follows 2013's Apar, abandons guitars almost completely. Instead, they incorporate synths and rely more on Ekhi Lopetegi's vocals. Watch: "Crystal" Watch: "Muzik"

Nice as Fuck - Nice as Fuck Nice as Fuck (also known as NAF or Nice as F***) is Jenny Lewis' latest project since the end of Rilo Kiley five years; she previously released a solo album, The Voyager, in 2014. Her new band also includes Erika Forster of Au Revoir Simone and Tennessee Thomas of The Like. The debut album was surprise-released following a few performances in the earlier part of the year. Watch: "Door" Listen: "Guns"

Other Full-Length Releases

The Avett Brothers - True Sadness Watch: "Ain’t No Man" Listen: "True Sadness"

DJ Shadow - The Mountain Will Fall Watch: "Nobody Speak" (featuring Run the Jewels) Watch: "The Mountain Will Fall"

Marian Hill - ACT ONE Watch: "I Want You" Watch: "I Know Why"

Mick Harvey - Delirium Tremens Watch: "Dont Say a Thing (Ne Dis Rien)" (featuring Xanthe Waite) Listen: "A Violent Poison Thats What Love Is"

River Tiber - Indigo Watch: "West" (featuring Daniel Caesar) Listen: "Acid Test"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

Alt-J - Live at Red Rocks Watch: "Left Hand Free"

Jay Som - "I Think You’re Alright"/"Rush" Listen: "I Think You’re Alright" Listen: "Rush"

Jim O’Rourke & Fennesz - It’s Hard for Me to Say I’m Sorry Listen: "I Just Want You to Stay" Listen: "Wouldn’t Wanna Be Swept Away"

Lion Babe - Sun Joint Listen: "Endless Summer" Listen: "Rain Drums"

Marvin Gaye - What’s Going On Listen: "What’s Going On" (featuring BJ the Chicago Kid)

Tyondai Braxton - Oranged Out EP Watch: "Oranged Out"

Alt-J in Cincinnati

When: September 21, 2015
Where: PNC Pavilion at Riverbend in Cincinnati, OH

The Show:
Alt-J came to Cincinnati late last month and I knew it was a show that I could not miss. The concert was one of my relatively few group outings for live music. A friend of mine had gotten tickets for herself, her boyfriend, me, and Adrian, my boyfriend. The experience was definitely enhanced by being there with companions.

Brooklyn-based baroque-inspired band San Fermin has been touring with the band. Adrian and I got to the venue about halfway through the opening act's set. We weren't sure what to expect from them, but were impressed by their high energy show. I, for one, am also always a big fan of bands who use brass and woodwind instruments and this band used them extremely well (though I'm still a bit disappointed in their lack of trombone). Safe to say, that band won some new fans that night, though we were still anticipating the main act.

Our friends arrived towards the end of the first set. We patiently waited, while listening to tUnE-yArDs played through overblown speakers, for the headlining act to begin. Alt-J came out with an impressive set that seemed to reflect the success that they've gained over past couple of years. Their unique mix of rock, choral chants, and electronica was punctuated by an impressive light show behind them consisting of a couple dozen TVs. They played primarily from their first album, An Awesome Wave, though sprinkled in a few of the better tracks from the follow-up, This Is All Yours.

On a Monday, two strong bands and some great friends made for a great beginning to the week!

Mini setlist:
San Fermin - "Jackrabbit"
Alt-J - "Tessellate"
Alt-J - "Left Hand Free"

New Music Tuesday - September 23, 2014

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

New Full-Length Releases

Alt-J - This Is All Yours Alt-J's 2012 debut album, An Awesome Wave, reached nearly universal acclaim when it was released. The strength of that debut led to a couple of soundtrack scores, they contributed a new track to the Silver Linings Playbook soundtrack and composed the entire soundtrack for Toby Jones' Leave to Remain. Unfortunately, there were some downs, too, with founding member Gwil Sainbsury leaving the band earlier this year. The album was largely written while the band was touring their debut, so Sainsbury's voice can still be heard. Watch: "Hunger of the Pine" Watch: "Every Other Freckle"

Bonnie "Prince" Billy - Singer's Grave - A Sea of Tongues Bonnie "Prince" Billy is a well-established and prolific performer, who has released 18 albums during his 21 year career. This latest comes a little less than a year following his self-titled release. Pre-release details were scant, but this record, like other recent output, contains reworkings of past songs, primarily from 2011's Wolfroy Goes to Town. Watch: "Quail and Dumplings" Listen: "So Far and Here We Are"

Dntel - Human Voice Dntel is the stage name of Jimmy Tamborello (aka Jimmy Tamborello, aka James Figurine). He is perhaps most known as one-half of the Postal Service with Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard. He, however, only released one album in that project (which was re-released last year); he has been much more prolific as a solo artist. He's been active for about 25 years, with five albums under his belt. Listen: "If I Stay a Minute"

The Drums - Encyclopedia This is the third studio album from the post-punk/new wave band. The band nearly broke up following their 2011 sophomore album Portamento, with one of the founding members, Connor Harwick, leaving the group due to undisclosed tensions. A solo album was announced from frontman Jonny Pierce, but that never materialized. Going into the studio for this record, the band were giving it one more try; and allowed themselves to have some fun in the process. Watch: "I Can't Pretend" Watch: "Magic Mountain"

Foxes in Fiction - Ontario Gothic Foxes in Fiction is the project of Warren Hildebrand, which he started in 2005 while he was still in high school. His debut album, Swung from the Branches, was a surprise hit online, garnering positive reviews from the likes of Pitchfork ad other publications. The record also got him attention from more prominent, established musicians. Owen Pallett helps out on the new album, providing string arrangements for several of the tracks. Listen: "Ontario Gothic" Listen: "Shadow's Song"

Julian Casablancas + The Voidz - Tyranny In the early 2000s, Casablancas led The Strokes to be the golden group of the era. Time was not beneficial to the band's sound, with a disappointing third album (which I actually liked) and a hiatus for the band. Individually, the band members put out some great content, but came back together on 2011 for two more disappointing records. Casablancas claims that this record is the sonic sequel to their first albums, though the sound is quite a bit more of a challenge to listen to. Watch: "Where No Eagles Fly" Listen: "Human Sadness"

King Tuff - Black Moon Spell As King Tuff, Kyle Thomas is one of the newest, and most exciting of garage rock acts. For his third album, he is getting some help from another garage rock solo act who's been doing it a bit longer; Ty Segall features on the record. Thomas recorded this album in LA last winter with producer Bobby Harlow. Watch: "Headbanger" Listen: "Black Moon Spell"

Leonard Cohen - Popular Problems Leonard Cohen has had a career spanning back almost half a century, but the 80-year-old performer has never been the most prolific performer. As he gets older, he seems to be speeding things up a bit. He released his last album, Old Ideas, two years ago; this is the second shortest gap between records in his career. Unlike many older artists, he continues to create new music, rather than reworking older tracks or versions of classic or standard songs. Listen: "Almost Like the Blues" Listen: "Nevermind"

Mapei - Hey Hey Mapei is the middle and stage name of Swedish-American rapper and singer Jacqueline Cummings. She started out producing primarily hip hop music and released an EP and mixtape before hitting a "creative wall." She decided to switch to singing and received rave reviews for her debut single, which leads off her new album. Watch: "Change" Watch: "Don't Wait"

Markéta Irglová - Muna Markéta Irglová first rose to prominence for her involvement in Swell Season with Irish singer Glen Hansard and their musical Once. She's since broken out as a solo artist; this is her second record since her split from Hansard and Swell Season. She now resides in Iceland with her partner, Sturla Mio Þórisson, who produced her record, and a daughter. Watch: "The Leading Bird" Watch: "Fortune Teller"

Mr. Twin Sister - Mr. Twin Sister Mr. Twin Sister was formerly known by a less gender bending moniker, Twin Sister. The name change was announced earlier this year along with their sophomore album. Their 2011 debut, Heaven, was one of my favorites, though many critics felt it was "choppy." Their follow-up is getting early praise for being a more cohesive effort, with a rock producer, Jon Low (who has mixed albums for The National and War on Drugs) at the helm. Watch: "Out of the Dark" Listen: "Blush"

Perfume Genius - Too Bright On his first to records, Mike Hadreas, produced a sound that was quiet, timid, and sometimes fearful. This is not a criticism, he writes extensively of his experiences as a gay man, including his fears, insecurities, and past abuses. While not straying far from the subject matter of his earlier work, he has opted for a more direct, confident sound. He has described feeling more power in realizing the effect that he has on other people. Watch: "Grid" Watch: "Queen"

SBTRKT - Wonder Where We Land SBTRKT (Aaron Jerome) released his 2011 self-titled debut to critical acclaim. The album was aided by a number of guest vocalists, Sampha, Jessie Ware, Little Dragon, artists whose careers he may have had a hand in helping to launch. He, again, uses a bevy of guests; this time, most are more established than those on the debut. Sampha and Jessie Ware are back. Caroline Polachek, A$AP Ferg, Warpaint, and Ezra Keonig also contribute vocals. There is one newcomer, Raury, in the mix, as well. Watch: "Look Away" Watch: "New Dorp. New York"

S - Cool Choices S is Jenn Ghetto (real name Hayes), former member of Carissa's Weird. This is her fourth solo record; each has featured music which felt, lyrically and sonically, like a peak into a secret diary. Her music is incredibly personal and she's not afraid to let her self-doubt, depression, and anger permeate her work. Listen: "Brunch" Listen: "Vampires"

Sondre Lerche - Please Sondre Lerche has had a tough couple of years since the release of his 2011 self-titled sixth album. He went through a divorce from his wife of eight years in 2013. While that's no doubt difficult for him, it seems to have allowed him to bring something different into his music. He's always been a great songwriter and performer, but here there's a level of emotion I haven't heard from him before. Watch: "Bad Law" Watch: "Legends"

Tweedy - Sukierae This was initially intended to be a solo album from Jeff Tweedy, the frontman for Wilco, and would have been his first in a long career. He had worked through and rehearsed many of the songs with his teenaged son, Spencer, and realized that he had something special. To put together the album, he also enlisted Scott McCaughey and the singers of Lucius. Spencer is one lucky kid, he will be touring and promoting this album with his father before beginning college. Watch: "Summer Noon" Watch: "Low Key"

Whirr - Sway Whirr is a San Francisco-based band helmed by Nick Bassett, formerly of Deafheaven and Nothing. Their sound deviates from that of his former bands, though, displaying a shoegaze sound. Their work has garnered them some pretty impressive comparisons to Slowdive and My Bloody Valentine. Listen: "Heavy" Watch: "Mumble"

Other New Releases

Fleetwood Mac - Mr. Wonderful Reissue Fleetwood Mac's sophomore album was originally released in 1968 and is the latest in a long line of reissues from the band and its members. The album, which was recorded before Stevie Nicks' involvement in the band, has not gone down as a favorite in the band's work. Listen: "If You Be My Baby" Listen: "Merry Go Round"

George Harrison - The Apple Years George Harrison is my favorite Beatle (the songs he wrote are among my favorites and I love his solo work). Unfortunately, he passed away in 2001. This box set compilation brings together the first six albums of his career, which were released through the band Apple Records. Additionally, the set includes a DVD of some posthumously released work from the musician. Listen: "I Don't Care Anymore" Listen: "The Inner Light"

Hyperdub 10.3 Hyperdub has spent the past year celebrating their 10th anniversary, this is the 3rd anniversary release this year for the magazine and label. The compilation features contributions from a number of the label's signed musicians, including The Bug, Burial, and Darkstar. Listen: Burial - "In McDonalds" Listen: The Bug - "Siren"

Jamie T - "Zombie"/"40/40 ICU" This is the second single leading up to the release of Jamie T's long-anticipated third album. It further proves a move away from the hip hop influences of his earlier work, but easily dispels any fears that, in doing so, his work would become soft or boring. Watch: "Zombie" Listen: "40/40 ICU"

Lana Del Rey - "Ultraviolence" (Datsik Remix) Lana Del Rey released her sophomore album, also title Ultraviolence, in June. The album's title track is getting the remix treatment from dubstep producer Datsik. Listen: "Ultraviolence" (Datsik Remix)

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Days of Abandon Deluxe Edition The Pains of Being Pure at Heart released an excellent third album in May of this year. Such quick reissues grate on me a bit, but this includes some fantastic new songs from the band. Listen: "Poison Touch" Listen: "Summer of Dreams"

Smashing Pumpkins - Adore Reissue Adore was originally released in 1998 and was the follow-up to the band's popular Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. The album was a disappointment for many fans and was seen as some to show a band that was on the outs (though, they're still going, at least in name). Despite the initial reception of the record, the reissue manages to pull together over 100 tracks of supplemental work, spanning six discs and a DVD. Watch: "Ava Adore" Listen: "Let Me Give The World To You" (Rick Rubin/Adore version)

Wings - Venus and Mars Reissue Harrison is not the only former Beatles with reissues coming this week, Paul McCartney is also re-releasing two album from his time with Wings. Venus and Mars was the band's fourth album, following Band on the Run and building on success of that record. Listen: "Venus and Mars" Listen: "Letting Go"

Wings - Wings at the Speed of Sound Reissue Wings at the Speed of Sound was the fifth album from the band, and the first to feature every member on vocals on at least one song each. The album was a critical disappointment. It did feature, however, one of the band's most popular tracks, "Silly Love Songs." Listen: "Silly Love Songs" Listen: "Sally G"