My Favorite Things of the Week

Good news from the world of '90s alternative rock, John Frusciante is rejoining the Red Hot Chili Peppers! Frusciante has been the on-again-off-again as the guitarist for the group, last leaving the band in 2009. He was replaced by Josh Klinghoffer, who is now departing. I'm excited to see what their next album will sound like with the iconic guitarist back in the fold!

As always, keep an eye on my Upcoming Releases page for new music that I'm excited about!

Lizzo has released several music videos for tracks from her third album, Cuz I Love You. Though she previously released a video for "Good as Hell," she released another video for the track this week. This video sees her joining up with the Southern University marching band in multiple roles; including bandleader, flutist, and dancer. The video brought out some real marching band nostalgia for me!

As beloved an artist as Frank Ocean is, I've heard surprisingly few covers from his contemporaries. This week, Nilüfer Yanya offered her take on "Super Rich Kids," for Triple J's Like a Version series.

Greg Dulli will be releasing a new solo album early next year, and released the album's first single, "Pantomima." The song bodes well for a great album from the artist!

The next album from The Flaming Lips will be a collaborative album with Deap Vally.

brooklynvegan.com

The two bands have formed a new group, called Deap Lips, and will release a self-titled album on March 13. The collaboration is one that is both surprising, and perfectly sensical.

Other upcoming albums:

Alanis Morissette - Such Pretty Forks in the Road (May 1)
Brian Fallon - Local Honey (March 27)
Caribou - Suddenly (February 28)
Cindy Lee - What’s Tonight to Eternity (February 14)
Dirty Projectors - Sing the Melody (out now)
Greg Dulli - Random Desire (February 21)
Halsey - Manic (January 17)
Kaytranada - BUBBA (out now)
Khruangbin & Leon Bridges - Texas Sun (February 7)
M. Ward - Migration Stories (April 3)
The Professionals - The Professionals (January 17)
Swamp Dogg - Sorry You Couldn’t Make It (March 6)
Wrekmeister Harmonies - We Love to Look at the Carnage (February 21)

New Music Friday - August 19, 2016

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Crystal Castles - AMNESTY (I) Crystal Castles went through a tumultuous few years since the release of their excellent third album (III) in 2012. Alice Glass and Ethan Kath parted ways on less than amicable terms, and Kath found a new singer in Edith Frances. For me, no one could replace Glass and I look more forward to her solo work. I remain interested in what Crystal Castles will be going forward, though. Watch: "Concrete" Listen: "CHAR"

Frank Ocean - Blond Ocean was less than positive that he would release another album after the release of channel ORANGE in 2012, then spent two years promising an album that seemed like it would never come. Once it finally arrived, there was a deluge of new material; a new magazine, a pop-up store, video album (Endless), and this new album. Annoyingly, it's an Apple exclusive, but it's still a relief to finally get new music from this amazing artist.

Lisa Hannigan - At Swim Lisa Hannigan got her start signing with Damien Rice, often providing the female counterpoint in his songs. She began her solo career following Rice's sophomore album, "9", released Sea Sew in 2008 and Passenger in 2011. She parted ways with Rice prior to his return in 2014. Her own third record sees her working with The National's Aaron Dessner. Watch: "Fall" Watch: "Ora"

Lydia Loveless - Real Loveless is a singer-songwriter hailing from Columbus, Ohio. The artist has always employed a mix of punk and country, but adds a bit of pop to the mix for this record. While she takes inspiration from pop stars she admires like Kesha, this is far from a standard pop record. Her music is retains that brash, confident sound. Watch: "Longer" Watch: "Clumps"

Other Full-Length Releases

Carl Broemel - 4th of July Listen: "In the Dark" Listen: "Snowflake"

Chris Staples - Golden Age Watch: "Golden Age" Listen: "Relatively Permanent"

DJ Earl - Open Your Eyes Listen: "Let’s Work" (featuring MoonDoctor & OPN) Listen: "Smoking Reggie" (featuring MoonDoctor & OPN)

Thom Sonny Green - High Anxiety Watch: "Palms" Watch: "Vienna"

Partynextdoor - PX3 Watch: "Come and See Me" Watch: "Not Nice"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

The Childhood of a Leader Soundtrack Listen: Scott Walker - "RUN"

The Chills - Kaleidoscope World Reissue Listen: "Oncoming Day" (Early Version) Listen: "Kaleidoscope World"

The Get Down Listen: Raury & Jaden Smith - "Losing Your Mind" Listen: Janelle Monaé - "Hum Along & Dance (Gotta Get Down)"

KAYE - Honey Watch: "Honey" Watch: "UUU"

Luxury Death - "Radiator Face" Watch: "Radiator Face"

Miss Sharon Jones: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Listen: "I’m Still Here"

Myrkur - Mausoleum Listen: "Jeg er Guden, I er Tjenerne"

Parquet Courts - Performing Human 12”

Pillow Person - "Go Ahead"/"In My Game" Watch: "Go Ahead" Listen: "In My Game"

salute - My Heart Listen: "One More Chance" (featuring D.R.A.M.)

New Music Tuesday - 03/11/2014

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

New Full-Length Releases

Aloe Blacc - Lift Your Spirit Aloe Blacc has been an active musician since 1995, but came to greater prominence in 2010 with the release of Good Things and the incredible single "I Need a Dollar." He contributed songwriting and vocals to Avicii's monster hit, "Wake Me Up," last year, which seemed to herald a shift in his career to even greater commercial success. This album, though, will be the first real test of his critical and commercial viability following his breakout. Watch: "Can You Do This" Watch: "Wake Me Up"

Metronomy - Love Letters A number of friends have been urging me to check out this band for several years. When the band announced the release of new album a few months back, I decided to take that plunge. I listened to some older music, primarily 2011's The English Riviera, as well as the early singles from this album. I've liked what I've heard and am excited for this latest release! Watch: "Love Letters" Listen: "Boy Racers"

Paloma Faith - A Perfect Contradiction I've been listening to Paloma Faith since the release of her debut album Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful? in 2009. She's been a prominent artist in her native UK since the beginning, but is only now beginning to see that success mirrored here in the states. It helps that she's getting the Pharrell treatment; he serves as a producer on this record. Watch: "Can't Rely on You" Listen: "Love Only Leaves You Lonely"

Other New Releases

Catch the Throne The fourth season of "Game of Thrones" will premier on April 6. To promote the upcoming season, HBO enlisted the help of a variety of hip hop artists to write and perform songs based on the shows themes and plotlines. It creates an interesting mix of geek media and hip hop culture, with a few stand-out tracks. Listen: Big Boi - "Mother of Dragons" Listen: Common - "The Ladder"

Chvrches - Recover EP I'm sure they don't mean any confusion by it, but this is the second EP that the Glaswegian band Chvrches has released with this name. The first, their debut EP last year, featured a number of unique tracks. This iteration, however, features a couple of remixes of the title track. Watch: "Recover" Listen: "Recover" (Alucard Sessions)

David Bowie - "Rebel Rebel" Reissue "Rebel Rebel," a track from Bowie's 1974 Diamond Dogs was initially released as a single in February of that same year. To celebrate the song's 40th anniversary, it is getting the re-release treatment with new cover art. Watch: "Rebel Rebel"

Divergent: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Divergent is the latest film in the "young adult" category of novels-turned-films. Like many others, it takes place in a dystopian future. While I'm undecided on seeing it, the movie does come with a great soundtrack featuring new tracks from M83, Tame Impala and Kendrick Lamar! Listen: M83 - "I Need You" Listen: Tame Impala - "Backwards" (featuring Kendrick Lamar)

Mick Jones, Diplo, Paul Simonon & Frank Ocean - "Hero" The latest in Converse's singles series sees former members of The Clash coming together with producer Diplo and PBR&B singer Frank Ocean. It's an interesting mix of musicians, but creates some great output. Listen: "Hero"

Teenage: Original Music By Bradford Cox Teenage is an upcoming documentary on the subject of teenage culture as it's evolved over the past century. The film's score was put together by indie rock musician Bradford Cox (aka Atlas Sound). Listen: "VHS Dream" Watch: Trailer

Young Money: The Rise of an Empire Lil' Wayne's Young Money record label has established itself as a pre-eminent hip hop label over the past decade. It boasts such artists as Lil' Wayne (of course), Nicki Minaj and Drake. The Rise of an Empire collects new tracks by the labels musicians. Listen: Drake - "Trophies" Listen: Nicki Minaj - "Lookin' Ass"