Upcoming Album of the Week (Ending July 29)

We're so used to seeing women objectified in music videos that it's kinda nice to see the tables turned. Charli XCX released a new music video this week for "Boys". It features a variety of boys to suit every taste, be it traditionally attractive (Joe Jonas), goofy (Mac DeMarco), silly (D.R.A.M.), and anything in between. It is a really great video, so definitely check it out!

No word right now on whether she is gearing up for a new album, but keep an eye out on my Upcoming Releases page in case she makes an announcement!

This week, Jessica Lea Mayfield announced her fourth album, Sorry Is Gone.

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Mayfield is a singer and songwriter combining elements of folk and country, and hailing from Kent, Ohio. Her debut album, 2008's With Blasphemy So Heartfelt, was produced by The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach. She stuck with Auerbach for one more album, then co-produced her last album with then-husband Jesse Newport.

She has since separated from her husband, an experience which, in part, influenced her latest record. She's also shedding herself of "needing to constantly apologize."

Sorry Is Gone is set to be released on September 29.

Also announced this week:

Action Bronson - Blue Chips 7000 (August 25)
Afghan Whigs - “You Want Love” (out now)
Alex Lahey - I Love You Like a Brother (October 6)
Ben Frost - Threshold of Faith EP (out now)
The Cribs - 24-7 Rock Star Shit (August 11)
Hiss Golden Messenger - Hallelujah Anyhow (September 22)
Human Heat - All Is Too Much (September 15)
Lawrence Rothman - The Book of Low (October 13)
Maneka - Is You Is (September 1)
Margo Price - Weakness EP (out now)
Mister Heavenly - Boxing the Moonlight (October 6)
Myrkur - Mareridt (September 15)
Sylvan Esso - Echo Mountain Sessions (out now)
Tegan and Sara - The Con X: Covers (October 13)
Ty Segall - Fried Shallots (out now)
Underworld - Beaucoup Fish Super Deluxe Edition (August 25)

New Music Tuesday - March 17, 2015

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

New Full-Length Releases

Marina and The Diamonds - Froot With her sophomore album, 2012's Electra Heart, Marina Diamandis seemed to be aiming for mainstream pop stardom, working with A-list producers like Dr. Luke and Benny Blanco. On her follow-up, she's regaining some control over her music; she wrote and produced the album. Because of this, the album feels more personal and reflective, and might just be her best work yet! Watch: "I’m a Ruin" Watch: "Forget"

Modest Mouse - Strangers to Ourselves Although Modest Mouse has been consistently performing for more than twenty years (frequent line-up changes notwithstanding), it's been eight years since the release of their last record, We Were Dead Before This Ship Even Sank. Despite that gap, they don't seem interested in making fans wait again; two albums' worth of material was recorded during the sessions and they plan to release a follow-up as soon as they are able. Watch: "Coyotes" Watch: "Lampshades on Fire"

Tobias Jesso Jr. - Goon Canadian piano-man Tobias Jesso Jr. is being hailed as a next-generation Randy Newman or Harry Nilsson. He began his career as a member of The Sessions and then as backing musician for other pop singers. He eventually embarked on his own solo career and got help from some big names for his debut. John Collins (New Pornographers), JR White (Girls), and Patrick Carney (The Black Keys) all provided production for the record. Watch: "How Could You Babe" Listen: "Hollywood"

Twin Shadow - Eclipse Artists can often be their own worst critics. Despite exceptionally well-received debut and sophomore albums, George Lewis felt his work was too elitist and wanted to make something more accessible. The result is an album void of much of the synthesizers and drum machines he has become known for. The album is also a departure for Lewis from playing the guitar. Watch: "Turn Me Up" Watch: "I’m Ready"

WAND - Golem Cory Thomas Hanson is a prolific musician who has performed with Meatbodies, together PANGEA, and as a part of Mikal Cronin's backing band. This is the second album from his band WAND, which was recorded with Chris Woodhouse in his Sacramento studio. Watch: "Flying Golem" Listen: "Reaper Invert"

Other New Releases

Bryan Ferry - "Driving Me Wild" Former Roxy Music frontman Bryan Ferry released his 14th studio album, Avonmore, in November of last year. "Driving Me Wild" is the fifth track on the album and the third to be released as a single, following "Johnny and Mary" and Loop De Li." Listen: "Driving Me Wild"

Catch the Throne Vol. 2 The fifth season of HBO's Game of Thrones just started and the network is releasing its second mixtape of songs written with the series as inspiration. As with the first mixtape, a wide variety of musicians are included. MNDR, Method Man, Talib Kweli, and Mastodon all contribute songs on this go-around. Listen: Mastodon - "White Walker" Listen: Talib Kweli - "Lord of the Light"

Furious 7: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack The seventh movie in the long-running Fast & Furious series didn't seem like it was going to have much to make it stand out within the franchise. Unfortunately, after the accidental death of star Paul Walker, it became notable for exactly that reason, being his final film. Some of hip hop's best (and Iggy Azalea) have come together for the film's soundtrack. Watch: Kid Ink, Tyga, Wale, YG & Rich Homie - "Ride Out" Listen: Wiz Khalifa & Iggy Azalea - "Go Hard or Go Home"

Glen Hansard - It Was Triumph We Once Proposed…Songs of Jason Molina As a folk musician out of Ireland, I never would have expected for Glen Hansard to have been influenced by Jason Molina, an alternative musician from Ohio. The two had been good friends and frequent tour-mates while Jason was still living. To honor the memory of his friend, Hansard is releasing this collection of covers both of songs Molina performed solo and with his band, Songs: Ohia. Watch: "Hold on Magnolia" (Live) Listen: "Being in Love"

Gorillaz - Gorillaz Reissue Damon Albarn kicked off his second influential band in 2001 with the release of this self-titled debut. There isn't anything new with the reissue of the record, but it does come in advance of an assumed new record from the project some time later this year (Albarn is already set to release a new album with Blur later this month). Watch: "Clint Eastwood" Watch: "Rock the House"

Insurgent: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Movies based on young adult, dystopian novels seem to be all the rage these day. While The Hunger Games is the only that I have a really great interest in, I will concede that all have had impressive soundtracks associated with them. Insurgent, the sequel to last year's Divergent, is no exception. The soundtrack features new tracks from personal favorites like M83 and Lykke Li. Listen: Woodkid - "Never Let You Down" (featuring Lykke Li) Listen: M83 - "Holes in the Sky" (featuring HAIM)

Peter Doherty - "Flags of the Old Regime" Peter Doherty had been good friends with Amy Winehouse before her untimely death in 2011. Although he's known primarily for his work in the bands The Libertines and Babyshambles, he also has an active solo career. His latest release as a solo artist is a tribute to his old friend. Watch: "Flags of the Old Regime"

Roísín Murphy - "Jealousy" Roísín Murphy is getting ready to release her third album (and first in eight years) in May of this year. First, we're getting a quick single from her, two takes on the song "Jealousy," recorded especially for Crosstown Rebel Records. Listen: "Jealousy" (Disco Mix) Listen: "Jealousy" (House Mix)

Seth Avett and Jessica Lea Mayfield Sing Elliott Smith Another tribute to a musician who passed too soon. Folk singers Seth Avett and Jessica Lea Mayfield didn't connect much when they first met, but gradually bonded over a mutual love for the music of Elliott Smith. Together, they recorded a full album of Smith covers. Listen: "Somebody That I Used to Know" Listen: "Between the Bars"

Tinashe - Amethyst Mixtape Tinashe released her debut album, Aquarius, back in October. Like many grown adults living away from home, she returned over Christmas vacation. Unlike many other adults, she made it a productive break. The follow-up to her album was recorded in her childhood bedroom over the holiday. Listen: "Dreams Are Real" Listen: "Worth It" (featuring Iamsu!)

Tom Scharpling & Jon Wurster - Scharpling & Wurster: The Best of The Best Show Jon Wurster is primarily known as drummer for Superchuck and The Mountain Goats, but he has also worked with radio host Tom Scharpling on the program, The Best Show. The show has been running for 15 years and, now, some of their best moments have been collected. Watch: The Best of The Best Show

New Music Tuesday - 04/15/2014

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

New Full-Length Releases

Afghan Whigs - Do the Beast Afghan Whigs was the first major musical project from Greg Dulli, which he formed in 1986 with John Curley and Rick McCollum. The group performed together for 15 years before disbanding in 2001. Though Dulli often claimed the band would not be getting back together, they began touring in 2012 and, this year, are putting out their first record since 1998's 1965. McCollum is not rejoining here, but there are a host of other musicians brought in, including Mark McGuire. Watch: "Algiers" Listen: "The Lottery"

Amps for Christ - Canyon Cars and Crows I first became familiar with Amps for Christ when they released a split LP with Woods (a favorite of mine) in 2012. The band takes on an experimental sound, somewhat similar to that of their once album-mates, but with fewer vocals. Canyons Cars and Crows is the 11th album from them. Listen: "Everyone Drives" Listen: "Barely Breathe"

The Both - The Both The Both is a collaboration between rockers Aimee Mann and Ted Leo. Both are long-established in the indie rock world (32 and 25 years, respectively). Mann was introduced to Leo's music in 2001, when Game Theory frontman Scott Miller gave her one of Leo's albums. They didn't begin working together, though, until a 2012 joint tour which culminated in some shared songwriting and, now, an album. Watch: "Milwaukee" Listen: "Volunteers of America"

Chet Faker - Built on Glass Chet Faker is the stage name of Australian musician Nick Murphy. He modeled his name, fairly obviously, from jazz legend Chet Baker, though his music is inspired more by R&B and soul (and his style is more reminiscent of Jamie Lidell or Jamie Woon). He first rose to prominence with his cover of Blackstreet's "No Diggity." This is his first full-length album. Watch: "Talk Is Cheap" Watch: "1998"

The Crookes - Soapbox I first heard of The Crookes with the release of the incredible "Bloodshot Days" single in 2010. It's still, by far, my favorite output from the Sheffield band, with the Dreams of Another Day EP being a close second. This is the third album from the band and, while their albums have been perhaps their weakest area, I'm always hopeful for a return to their early days! Watch: "Holy Innocents" Watch: "Play Dumb"

Ingrid Michaelson - Lights Out I never thought that an artist I first heard in an Old Navy commercial in 2007 would remain such a beloved musician for me. Generally, hers isn't a style of music that I seek out or love, but she has a certain sweetness and approach that, sometimes, is exactly what I need to listen to. Watch: "Girls Chase Boys" Watch: "Wonderful Unknown"

Jessica Lea Mayfield - Make My Head Sing... Kent, Ohio-native Jessica Lea Mayfield got her first big career boost from fellow Ohioan Dan Auerbach (of The Black Keys), who produced her sophomore album, Tell Me. Her style pulls from country and rock, with a darkness that tells you that the young singer has already been through a lot. This latest album brings in a lot more rock than on her previous two, providing an interesting counterpoint to her low vocals. Watch: "I Wanna Love You"

John Frusciante - Enclosure John Frusciante has been incredibly prolific as a solo artist since leaving the Red Hot Chili Peppers, for whom his guitar style developed a distinct sound, in 2009. This is his third album since then, though he's also released a number of EPs. His solo work tends toward the experimental, but the quality of his output varies greatly. This latest record may be one of his most listenable. Listen: "Scratch" Listen: "Stage"

The Secret Sisters - Put Your Needle Down The Secret Sisters are truly sisters, Laura and Lydia Rogers. They perform traditional country music with a focus on harmonies that have garnered comparisons to The Everly Brothers. This is their second studio album following 2010's self-titled debut. Watch: "Lonely Island"

Smoke Fairies - Smoke Fairies Another female singing duo, though these are not siblings and perform a much more modern type of music. Though they infuse from folk elements into their sound, the music is dream pop at it's most basic. They came to prominence as one of the first acts to be signed to Jack White's Third Man Records. That's some high praise from one of rock music's new statesmen and the music is certainly great. Watch: "Eclipse Them All" Watch: "We've Seen Birds"

Woods - With Light and with Love I'm not sure if it's a coincidence or intentional the Woods are releasing a new album on the same day as former album-mates Amps for Christ. The band and its members stay very active, they have released an album almost every year since their 2006 debut, Kevin Morby has released solo records and collaborations with Cassie Ramone of Vivian Girls, Jeremy Earl runs the Woodsist label. Everything they've put out has been incredible and I'm excited for this latest release! Listen: "Leaves Like Glass" Listen: "Moving to the Left"

Other New Releases

Danny Brown - Hot Soup Reissue Rapper Danny Brown burst onto the scene in 2011 with his critically-acclaimed third album, XXX. He followed it up last year with the equally regarded Old. He's reaching back to his beginnings, though, with a re-release of his 2008 mixtape, Hot Soup. Listen: "Let's Go" Listen: "What Up Doe"

Killer Mike - The Boonies The Boondocks was a popular cartoon that ran Comedy Central from 2005 to 2008. It's returning to the network this year and being heralded with a mixtape curated by rapper Killer Mike. Listen: Killer Mike - "The Boonies" Listen: Lil Herb - "Whatchu Get"

I Break Horses - Remix EP I Break Horses released their sophomore album, Chisroscuro, earlier this year. I wasn't familiar with them until I heard a remix of one of the album's track by The Field. The track appears on this remix EP, along with remixes from other musicians. Listen: The Field - "Faith"