New Music Tuesday - March 31, 2015

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

New Full-Length Albums

Boxed In - Boxed In Boxed In is the project of songwriter and producer Oli Bayston. He has worked with Rosie Lowe, The Voyeurs, and The 2 Bears in the past, but after so many years of working behind the scenes in the British music industry, he is moving out front. This is his debut album. Watch: "Mystery" Watch: "Foot of the Hill"

Death Cab for Cutie - Kintsugi Death Cab's last record, Codes and Keys, was just about the worst-received of their career. Many accused the album of being too happy; it was recorded in the midst of frontman Ben Gibbards' marriage to Zooey Deschanel. Now, four years after their divorce, it seems like some of the bitterness and angst has returned. While they may never replicate the music they were releasing ten years ago, this seems like a return to something a bit better. Watch: "Black Sun" Watch: "No Room in Frame"

Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress is the fifth album from this influential and cult-popular Canadian band. It follows their Polaris-winning 2013 album, Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!. Though the band sticks with the epically long tracks that they've become known for (the shortest song on this one is six minutes long), this is only their second album to clock in at under 45 minutes. Listen: "Peasantry Or ‘Light! Inside of Light!’" Listen: "Piss Crowns Are Trebled"

Jesse Malin - New York Before the War Jesse Malin is a rock and roll performer who has fronted the bands D Generation and Heart Attack. He has also also had a long solo career, releasing his first EP, 169, in 2000. While he built his career working with Ryan Adams, on his latest record (his seventh overall) he gets some help from R.E.M.'s Peter Buck, who plays guitar on "I Would Do It for You." Watch: "Addicted" Listen: "Heart of Gold"

Lower Dens - Escape from Evil Although I've enjoyed Lower Dens' music, I've always compared them to Beach House both on overall style and on the Jana Hunter's vocals. It was, however, a comparison on which they came up a bit short. I think their latest record finally differentiates them from that other band. While it's still dream pop, it seems more assertive than their past work. Watch: "To Die in L.A." Watch: "Ondine"

Madeon - Adventure In recent years, young British artists have taken over the electronic and house scene. Madeon (aka Hugo Leclercq) is looking to bring it back south to France. The young producer from Nantes has previously worked with the likes of Zedd, deadmau5, and Two Door Cinema Club. Like many studio albums from producers, his debut features of bevy both popular and independent guest vocalists. The artists featured here range from Nicholas Petricca (of Walk the Moon) to Mark Foster to Passion Pit. Watch: "Pay No Mind" (featuring Passion Pit) Watch: "You’re On" (featuring Kyan)

Marching Church - This World Is Not Enough Elias Rønnenfelt may have just release three albums in the span of four years with his band Iceage, but he's got more up his sleeve. He officially formed Marching Church as a band with other Danish musicians in 2013, though he's been performing solo under the name since 2010. While there are similarities to Iceage on this debut, Marching Church's sound feels more experimental and has an improvisational feel to it. Watch: "Hungry for Love" Watch: "King of Song"

Ringo Starr - Postcards from Paradise Starr always seems to be a somewhat forgotten Beatle. Though he's had a respectable solo career, he gets less attention than his former bandmates and was the last to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his solo work (though he did make it just this year!). His 18th album comes right in time to celebrate the milestone in his career. Watch: "Postcards from Paradise" Listen: "Not Looking Back"

Simon Joyner - Grass, Branch & Bone Simon Joyner is a Nebraskan singer and songwriter who's been active for over twenty years. He has not been a very prolific artist, preferring to stay quiet in between records. He releases a new album every few years; Grass, Branch & Bone is his 13th. Listen: "Nostalgia Blues"

The Soft Moon - Deeper The Soft Moon is the musical project of Luis Vasquez; the music combines a broad range of styles including EDM, dark wave, and krautrock. He's always been a solo act, but had previously intended for this third album to be a broader effort with more songwriters. His music is very personal, though, and he realized that The Soft Moon would always need to be a solo project. The result is an album that may be his most personal yet. Watch: "Far" Watch: "Black"

The Staves - If I Was Time to add another rung to the Bon Iver ladder. This band is one of the first who are not tied to his early days in the Wisconsin music scene. The Staves are a trio of sisters from Watford, England. For the sisters' sophomore album, Justin Vernon contributed production work, songwriting, and even some guest appearances. It's a combination that works extremely well, and it's always good to have a new artist to be excited about. Watch: "Black & White" Watch: "Blood I Bled"

Sufjan Stevens - Carrie & Lowell Much of the music that Sufjan Stevens has made throughout his career has been a kind of low-key folk. On his last album, 2010's The Age of Adz, he went far away from that sound with a much more experimental and electronic style. It became my favorite album of his. I was a little wary when it was announced that the next would be a return to the folk style (not that it wouldn't be good, I just really liked the last one). The album is a great, though somewhat difficult listen, and a wonderful follow-up. Watch: "Should Have Known Better" Watch: "No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross"

Upset - '76 Ali Koehler has not been hurting as an artist since her unceremonious departure from Best Coast in 2011. She formed Upset in 2013 with Patty Schemel (formerly of Hole) and released their debut album, She's Gone, that same year. The band is back with a sophomore album, on which they've expanded their line-up with members of Benny The Jet Rodriguez and Slutever. Listen: "Glass Ceiling"

Other New Releases

iLoveMakonnen - Drink More Water 5 iLoveMakonnen likely scored his biggest hit with his ode to weekday clubbing, "Tuesday." He remains fairly prolific with a steady stream of EPs and mixtapes. This latest is the fifth just within the Drink More Water series; he's released many more mixtapes in addition. Listen: "Drink More Water 5" (freestyle) Listen: "Super Clean"

Memory Tapes - "Fallout"/"House on Fire" It's been a couple of years since Davye Hawk released his last album, 2012's Grace/Confusion. While no follow-up has been announced, he's making sure that fans don't forget him with a pair of new songs. Listen: "Fallout" Listen: "House on Fire"

Ride - OX4 Reissue Ride is a British band who formed in 1988 and included a future member of Oasis, bassist Andy Bell. They parted ways in 1996, but reunited for a bit in 2001. The came together again last year and are now reissuing their 2001 greatest hits compilation. Watch: "Chelsea Girl" Listen: "Drive Blind"

Ryan Adams - "Blue Light" 7" Ryan Adams continues his prolific streak with yet another 7" release. The inspirations for this one are varied, including The Strokes, Chris Farley, and smartphones. It's an interesting combination of influences, but if it keeps new music coming from the man, I'll make no complaints. Listen: "Blue Light"

Underworld - "Baby Wants to Ride" 12" Although they've been around consistently for more than 30 years, it seems that British band Underworld has had a bit of resurgence lately, perhaps due to frontman Karl Hyde's work with Brian Eno. This new single is their first release as a band in five years and is a cover of a song by  the late Frankie Knuckles. Listen: "Baby Wants to Ride"

New Music Tuesday - October 29, 2013

New Full-Length Releases

Arcade Fire - Reflektor Arcade Fire arguably became the biggest indie rock act after their last album, The Suburbs, won Album of the Year at the Grammys in 2011. They'd been critical successes from the beginning, the but album helped to make them commercial hits as well. Though they'd released two full-length records prior, this may be their biggest challenge, as they're following up a highly-successful record. Thankfully, they haven't strayed from the epic sound that has served them well in the past. Listen/Watch: "Reflektor"

Diane Coffee - My Friend Fish Diane Coffee is the moniker for Shaun Fleming, drummer for the band Foxygen. It still amazes me how quickly we are seeing solo albums from the members of that band so soon after their own debut album. Still, I always enjoy hearing what individual band members do on their own; it can provide an interesting look at how their sound plays into the band's sound and what they can do on their own. Listen/Watch: "Green"

Los Campesinos! - No Blues No Blues is this Welsh band's fifth studio album, which sees them continuing to advance and mature their sound. While I liked the twee sound of their debut album, Hold on Now, Youngster..., I tired of it and they didn't seem to waver much from it even three years later, when they released their fourth album, Hello Sadness. This might be the biggest jump forward for them and I'm interested again! Listen/Watch: "Avocado, Baby"

Moonface - Julia with Blue Jeans On Wolf Parade (the former band of Moonface's Spencer Krug) broke up two years ago, which was a travesty for me... they were one of my favorite bands. Dan Boeckner went on to form Divine Fits with Britt Daniel and Moonface is Krug's post-Wolf Parade project. This is his third album with the project following last year's excellent With Siinai: Heartbreaking Bravery. Each former member of Wolf Parade has made unique music following the dissolution, and it's all been great! Listen/Watch: "Barbarian"

Sky Ferreira - Night Time, My Time Sky Ferreira is a young pop singer who began gaining critical acclaim following the release of her first EPs, As If! and Ghost. It took some time for her first full-length (hint: it's this album) to be released. She struggled a bit with major labels who wanted to turn her into a more typical pop star. Thankfully, Capitol has allowed her to be herself more. Maybe, she can start to change the course of modern pop music. Listen/Watch: "You're Not the One"

Son Lux - Lanterns Son Lux's music is an interesting mix of post-rock and hip hop. He upped the ante even more last year by releasing an EP under the name S / S / S with Serengeti and Sufjan Stevens. The three have very different sounds, so the combination was even more interesting. I started checking Son Lux out more following that release, this is his third full-length. Listen/Watch: "Lost It to Trying"

Upset - She's Gone Ali Koehler was the drummer for the band Best Coast until 2011, when she left the band under what she claimed was not her own decision. Bethany Consentino (Best Coast's lead singer) claimed her departure was much more amicable. Whatever the reason for that split, she is back with a new project, Upset, with Patty Schemel and Jenn Prince. The sound is similar to her past projects, Vivian Girls and, of course, Best Coast. Listen/Watch: "You and I"

White Denim - Corsicana Lemonade I've heard the White Denim name around the past couple of years, but only decided to check them out when they announced the release of this latest album earlier this year. I checked out the early single "Pretty Green" and was immediately impressed by their sound. It felt, to be, like a more psychedelic version of The Black Keys. Loving this album, now it's time to check out their back catalog! Listen/Watch: "Pretty Green"

Other New Releases

Baio - Mira EP Baio is the mononym for Vampire Weekend's bassist, Chris Baio. He's been active as a member of that band since its inception in 2006, but began releasing solo material last year. In sharp contrast to his main band's African-tinged indie rock, his music is electronic. Listen/Watch: "Mira"

Death Cab for Cutie - Transatlanticisms Reissue Transatlanticisms was Death Cab for Cutie's fourth album released in 2003. It became their first charting record at 97 (later releases would reach the top 10). It has been ten years since that breakthrough release and, of course, time for an anniversary release. This includes a remastered version of the original album and a disc of demos. Listen: "The New Year" (Demo)

Foals - Holy Fire: Live at Royal Albert Hall Foals released an excellent third album, Holy Fire, earlier this year. On March 28, they performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England. This, along with a DVD, is the official release of that show. Listen: "Late Night"

Mount Kimbie - CSFLY Remixes EP Mount Kimbie released their sophomore album, Cold Spring Fault Less Youth, earlier this year. This EP features various remixes of two of the songs from that album by producers such as Lee Gamble, Oneman and Kyle Hall. Listen: "You Took Your Time" (Kyle Hall remix)

Music from and Inspired by Dallas Buyers Club Dallas Buyers Club is an upcoming film starring Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto (and I can't wait to see it). The film's soundtrack features songs from Portugal. The Man, My Morning Jacket, and Tegan and Sara. Listen: Tegan & Sara - "Shudder to Think"

Phosphorescent - Muchachos de Lujo Though I wasn't yet into Matthew Houck's music when he released his latest album earlier this year, once I heard it, it quickly became one of my favorites of the year. The record is already getting its deluxe edition, which includes tracks recorded live at the St. Pancras Church. Listen: "Terror In The Canyons (The Wounded Master) (Live at St. Pancras Church)"

The xx/Sampha - "Reconsider"/"Without" The indie label Young Turks has been releasing a series of split 7" singles throughout 2013. Each has been available in limited edition quantities.The latest brings together The xx and Sampha. Listen: The xx - "Reconsider"