New Music Friday - June 8, 2018

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Jorja Smith - Lost & Found Lost & Found is the debut album from this young British singer. Her style is a jazz-inflected R&B that's a bit reminiscent of Amy Winehouse's music. Prior to this album, she made a name for herself through collaborations, including with Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Kali Uchis. Watch: "Let Me Down" (featuring Stormzy) Watch: "On Your Own"

Lykke Li - so sad so sexy Li has been one of my favorite artists for the better part of the past decade, and this is her fourth album. She subtly shifts her style from album to album, with this being her most straightforward pop outing (though pop has always been a part of her style). It's another great record from a great artist! Watch: "deep end" Watch: "hard rain"

Other Full-Length Releases

Kadhja Bonet - Childqueen Listen: "Childqueen" Listen: "Mother Maybe"

Lily Allen - No Shame Watch: "Trigger Bang" (featuring Giggs) Watch: "Lost My Mind"

Snail Mail - Lush Watch: "Pristine" Watch: "Heat Wave"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

Angelique Kidjo - Remain in Light Watch: "Born Under Punches" Watch: "Once in a Lifetime"

New Music Tuesday - 05/06/2014

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

New Full-Length Releases

Eno · Hyde - Someday World Brian Eno has made a name for himself as a producer, artist and solo musician. Over the past few years he's been releasing collaborative albums and EPs with other artists, and not always musical artists. He put out an album and EP in 2011 with poet Rick Holland following a 2010 album recorded with Leo Abrahams and Jon Hopkins. His latest collaborative project sees him partnering with Underworld frontman Karl Hyde. Listen: "The Satellites" Listen: "Daddy's Car"

The Horrors - Luminous The Horrors have come a long way from their start as a gothic/horror punk band with the 2007 album Strange House. Every album that they release seems to be lighter than the previous; the band has described Luminous, their fourth studio album as being "fun and danceable," which is definitely not something anyone could say for their earlier work. Somehow, though, Faris Badwan's voice is still able to lend a doomy sheen over all of it. Watch: "So Now You Know" Watch: "I See You"

The Icypoles - My World Was Made for You The Icypoles is made up of, in part, of two former members of Architecture in Helsinki. The band's founder, Isobel Knowles, was inspired by 60s girl pop and there's certainly a bit of that in the band's sound. However, I still hear some elements of that other band in here, especially from their earlier work. Watch: "Babies"

King Dude - Fear I wouldn't know the name King Dude if it weren't for his collaborations, Sings Songs Together..., with Chelsea Wolfe. I liked the sound that they were able to create together and decided that I should check out the guy on the other side of the duo. The artist, real name T.J. Cowgill, has released four solo records during his career. Watch: "Fear Is All You Know"

Lily Allen - Sheezus Perhaps obviously, the title of Lily Allen's third album was inspired by last year's Yeezus from Kanye West. Allen claims to be a big fan of West, but does still incorporate themes of girl power into her music. The new album is a welcome return from an artist who threatened to quit the music industry following 2009's It's Not Me, It's You. Watch: "Our Time" Watch: "Sheezus"

Lykke Li - I Never Learn When announcing the release of her latest album, Lykke Li explained that it would be final entry in a trilogy that began with her 2008 debut Youth Novels and continued in 2011 with Wounded Rhymes. Each album from her has had a different vibe, Youth Novels was her album of naivete, with vocals sung high-pitched. She was more self-assured and aggressive on the follow-up. On the latest, she seems calmer and more introspective. Despite the changing sounds, though, I've loved everything that she's done. Watch: "No Rest for the Wicked" Watch: "I Never Learn"

Ray LaMontagne - Supernova Ray LaMontagne has developed a signature soulful folk sound over his past four studio albums. For his latest record, he has changed up his style considerably with the help of the record's producer, The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach. The sound is more psychedelic and the lyrics less personal. The shift is bound to alienate some of his fans, but may also allow him to add some new ones. Watch: "Supernova" Listen: "Airwaves"

Rodrigo Amarante - Cavalo Brazilian musician Rodrigo Amarante has been a member of some great bands; Los Hermanos, Orquestra Imperial and Little Joy. I still have my fingers crossed for a sophomore album from that last project. But I will gladly accept a solo record from the band's primary singer. And hopefully, it means more of that bossa nova-tinged folk I've loved so much from his other work. Listen: "Hour Glass" Listen: "Cavalo"

tUnE-yArDs - Nikki Nack tUnE-yArDs, aka Merrill Garbus, released an amazing sophomore album, w h o k i l l, in 2011. The album was such an incredible collage of sounds, it was easy to wonder how she would be able to follow it up. She found a way to do it. Her style is still eclectic and kinda crazy, and that's just the way I like her! Watch: "Water Fountain" Listen: "Wait for a Minute"

Other New Releases

2 Chainz - Freebase EP 2 Chainz turned himself from just another Atlanta rapper to one of the most popular hip hop artists out today. He's done so while releasing super-catchy songs and saying his name...a lot. For his latest mixtape, though, he employed a grittier sound which shows that he has some serious cred, too. Watch: "Trap Back" Listen: "Wuda Cuda Shuda"

Axels & Sockets: The Jeffrey Lee Pierce Sessions Project Axels & Sockets is the latest entry in the Jeffrey Lee Pierce Sessions Project, to which various artists have contributed covers of Jeffrey Lee Pierce's work. Pierce was the frontman of Gun Club who passed away in 1996. Contributors to this installment include Mark Lanegan, Thurston Moore, Nick Cave and Iggy Pop. Listen: Iggy Pop & Nick Cave - "Nobody's City" Listen: Mark Lanegan & Bertrant Cantat - "Desire By Blue River"

Baths - Ocean Death EP Baths, real name Will Wiesenfeld, is one of the new purveyors of electronic music. I first became familiar with him following the release of his third album, Obsidian, last year. He is following that release up with a new EP. Listen: "Ocean Death"

Bleep10 Bleep is an online music store, founded by Warp Records, that has now been around for 10 years. To celebrate their decade in business, they compiled a collection of new songs and remixes from a number of current electronic artists. Listen: Modeselektor - "I'm not into Twerk, I'm into KrafTwerk" Listen: Lone - "Lizard King"

Dave Harrington - Before This There Was One Heart but a Thousand Thoughts EP Dave Harrington is one-half of the electronic duo DARKSIDE with Nicolas Jaar. He is stepping away from his partner to release this latest EP. Listen: Before This There Was One Heart but a Thousand Thoughts

Jamie xx - "Girl"/"Sleep Sound" Jamie xx made his name as a member of the London indie band The xx. He's also become known as a producer and remix artist. He shows off some of what he can do with a sampler and computer in his latest single. Watch: "Sleep Sound" Watch: "Girl"

Savages - "Fuckers"/"Dream Baby Dream" Savages came out with their debut album, Silence Yourself, last year and quickly established themselves as one of the best new post-punk artists. To coincide with the release of that album, they are releasing a new song backed with a cover of a track by Suicide. Listen: "Fuckers"

SBTRKT - Transitions I We haven't gotten a new album from this British electronic artist since his 2011 self-titled debut. This year, we'll be getting about an album's worth of new material from him. He will be putting out three Transitions EPs over the next few months. Watch: "Kyoto"

New Music Tuesday - 03/04/2014

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

New Full-Length Releases

The Men - Tomorrow's Hits The Men have been one of the most consistent bands during their fairly short tenure. They've released an album every year since the of the first record, Immaculada. Tomorrow's Hits is their fifth record in as many years.They're continuing their mix of punk and classic rock, but still introducing something new with every record. Watch: "Pearly Gates" Listen: "Settle Me Down"

Real Estate - Atlas Real Estate has always had a laid-back, beachy sound. While they maintain that aesthetic here, their third album sees them expanding their sound and lyrical content. I really came to love their 2011 album Days and can only hope that I love this record just as much! Watch: "Crime" Watch: "Talking Backwards"

Rick Ross - Mastermind While I've known who Rick Ross is for several years, I never really bothered to check his music out. However, he was featured on one my favorite albums from last year, Pusha T's My Name Is My Name. His verse on the track "Hold On" ended up being one of my favorite parts of the album; so I had to give his own work a listen. Mastermind is his sixth studio album. Watch: "War Ready" (featuring Jeezy) Watch: "Nobody" (featuring French Montana and Puff Daddy)

Roman Remains - Zeal In college, Duke Spirit became one of my favorite bands. Lead singer Leila Moss has a cool rocker-girl vibe and they seemed to serve as the perfect counter-part to all of the male-led indie bands we saw so much of. We haven't heard from that band since 2011's Bruiser, but Leila and bandmate Toby Butler emerged last year as Roman Remains with a less guitar-driven sound than their main act. This is their first full-length record. Watch: "This Stone Is Starting to Bleed" Listen: "Gazebo"

We Are Scientists - TV en Francais We Are Scientists are indie band out of California. Their music tends to take on a cheeky, silly vibe, but they prove themselves to be excellent musicians. TV en Francais is the band's fifth official studio album. Watch: "Dumb Luck" Watch: "Make It Easy"

Other New Releases

Divine Fits - Live at Third Man Records Jack White's Third Man Records seems to have become a requisite stopping point for many of today's hottest musicians. The label is almost constantly releasing live albums and singles recorded at their Nashville studio. The latest live release comes from my favorite indie supergroup, Divine Fits. They performed songs from their excellent debut album A Thing Called Divine Fits. Order: Third Man Records

Jagwar Ma - "Uncertainty" Jagwar Ma released a highly-regarded debut album, Howlin', in August of last year. I was a little late to their game, but have come to enjoy the record as well. The latest single and video are for the album track "Uncertainty." Watch: "Uncertainty"

Kimono Kult - Hiding in the Light EP Kimono Kult is a side project of John Frusciante (who will soon be releasing another solo record) and The Mars Volta's Omar Rodríguez-López. It's a brand new project from the musicians and this is their first release. Listen: "Todos Menos El Dolor" Listen: "La Cancion De Alejandra"

Lily Allen - "Air Balloon" Lily Allen is gearing up for the release of her third full-length album, Sheezus, in May. This is the third single released from the album, which sounds like it will be just as cheeky as her previous work. Watch: "Air Balloon"

Rufus Wainwright - Vibrate Rufus Wainwright is a part of the notable Wainwright/McGarrigle family of musicians, but has long established himself as a solo performer. This is a greatest hits album which compiles some of his more excellent work over the past twenty years of his career. Watch: "Vibrate" Watch: "Out of the Game"

St. Carolyn By Sea; Suite from There Will Be Blood Bryce Dessner of The National has really started to establish himself as a classical composer and performer. This split single sees him sharing the bill with Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood, who has also done some composing work, with five movie scores to his name so far. Listen: Johnny Greenwood - "Suite from There Will Be Blood"

New Music Tuesday - 11/19/2013

New Full-Length Releases

Blood Orange - Cupid Deluxe Disregard the misleading title of this album, it is neither a reissued or remastered version of an already existing record. Blood Orange (Dev Hynes) has been performing for eight years. He started his career as a member of Test Icicles, then began a solo career under the name Lightspeed Champion, which is when I became familiar with his work. He released his first record under the current name in 2011. Each project has had a unique sound; in Blood Orange, it's a throwback to 1980s R&B. Listen/Watch: "Time Will Tell"

Ejecta - Dominae Ejecta is the electronic project of Leanne Macomber and Joel Ford. Macomber has performed as a member of Neon Indian's band and Ford has done much production work with Daniel Lopatin. As such, both bring unique and varied perspectives on electronic music to their new project. It will be interesting to see how they bring it all together. Listen: "Afraid of the Dark"

Other New Releases

Kallisti - Arc of Fire EP Kallisti is the project of Canadian musician Chris d'Eon, who has released music under his own name since 2010. He partnered up with fellow Canadian Grimes for 2012's Darkbloom. Arc of Fire is his first release under this name and sees him taking a slight turn away from his previous styles. Listen/Watch: "Arc of Fire"

Kurt Vile - Wakin on a Pretty Daze: Deluxe Daze (Post Haze) Kurt Vile released his excellent fifth solo studio album earlier this year. The requisite deluxe edition features some additional tracks along with a bonus EP, It's a Big World Out There (And I Am Scared). Listen/Watch: "Never Run Away"

Lily Allen - "Hard Out Here" Lily Allen has been away for quite some time. She released her last full-length, It's Not Me, It's You, in 2009 and has spent the interim starting a family and considering ending her music career. Thank god she hasn't because she's back with a great new single. The song and its accompanying video take a jab at the expectations of young female pop stars. Listen/Watch: "Hard Out Here"

M83 - You and the Night Soundtrack What's the point of having a musician brother if you can't have him score your movies? That's exactly what director Yann Gonzalez did for his film You and the Night. Yann is the brother of musician M83 (Anthony Gonzalez), who contributed his talents to Yann's film. Listen: "L'inconnu"

Prince - "Da Bourgeoisie" Prince has been releasing a series of singles lately, many under the name 3rdeyegirl. It's not yet clear if these releases are leading up to a new album from the legendary artist, but he certainly is showing that he's still got it going on. Listen: "Da Bourgeoisie"

Queens of the Stone Age - ...Like Cologne Queens of the Stone Age released their latest album, ...Like Clockwork, in June of this year. This release is a short live EP with a name and artwork that harkens back to that album. The songs on the EP were recorded when the band performed at Cologne's Kulturkirche Köln in September. Listen: "Make It Wit Chu" (Live Acoustic)

Rockin' Legends Pay Tribute to Jack White Since he released his first album with The White Stripes back in 1999. Just about everything that he has done has turned to gold, from that first band to The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather and then to his solo career. For this release, a number of legendary musicians have come together with covers of his songs. Included on the release are Bobby Vee, Los Straightjackets and Wanda Jackson. Listen: Wanda Jackson - "In the Cold Cold Night"

Yo La Tengo - Fade Deluxe Edition Another deluxe edition! This one from Yo La Tengo, who released Fade way back in January. This deluxe release added just one bonus track, "Oriole." Listen/Watch: "Is That Enough"