New Music Friday - April 28, 2017

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Feist - Pleasure It's been six years since the release Feist's previous record, Metals, and it's seemed like a long wait. She started promoting this record with cryptic posts on Instagram in March, referencing the album's title and lead single. The album was recorded with Mocky and Renaud Letang, and features a contribution from Jarvis Cocker (formerly of Pulp). Watch: "Pleasure" Listen: "Century" (featuring Jarvis Cocker)

Gorillaz - Humanz Damon Albarn maintains a lot of projects. He has long been the frontman of Blur, has had an active solo career, and is the primary creator behind Gorillaz. Blur and Gorillaz were both fairly quiet in the first part of the decade. In 2015, he reunited with Blur to release The Magic Whip, their first album in over a decade. The return of Gorillaz was also long-promised. It's out now, only a relatively-short six years following their last output, and with a variety of features, ranging from Savages' Jehnny Beth to Vince Staples. Watch: "Andromeda" (featuring D.R.A.M.) Watch: "Ascension" (featuring Vince Staples)

Mary J. Blige - Strength of a Woman Blige's music has always reflected aspects of her personal life. Strength of a Woman is no different; it follows her 2016 divorce from Martin Isaacs. Also a consummate collaborator, her thirteenth album sees her working with a wide variety of contemporaries (Missy Elliott) and younger artists and producers (Jazmine Sullivan and Kaytranada). Watch: "Love Yourself" (featuring Kanye West) Listen: "U + Me (Love Lesson)"

Mew - Visuals Visuals is the seventh album from this Danish band, following 2015's + -. The album was written while the band was touring in promotion of that last record. The album is the first that the band has recorded following the departure of guitarist Bo Madsen. Even in his absence, the band manages to retain their distinctive prog-influenced sound. Watch: "Twist Quest" Watch: "85 Videos"

Sylvan Esso - What Now This duo of Mountain Man's Amelia Meath and Megafaun's Nick Sanborn released an incredible self-titled debut album in 2014. The success of the album shifted the focus of both members away from their other projects. Much of the time since their debut has been spent touring and recording together. They started releasing tracks for this follow-up back in September with the double single "Radio" and "Kick Jump Twist". Watch: "Kick Jump Twist" Watch: "Radio"

Other Full-Length Releases

BNQT - Vol. 1 Listen: "Mind of a Man" Listen: "Restart"

Cashmere Cat - 9 Watch: "Trust Nobody" (featuring Selena Gomez & Troy Lanez) Watch: "9 (After Coachella)" (featuring MØ & Sophie)

Colin Stetson - All This I Do for Glory Watch: "In the Clinches" Watch: "Spindrift"

JMSN - Whatever Makes You Happy Watch: "Where Do U Go" Listen: "Drinkin’"

Mark Lanegan Band - Gargoyle Watch: "Beehive" Listen: "Nocturne"

Morning Teleportation - Salivating for Symbiosis Watch: "Re-wiring Easily" Listen: "Calm Is Intention Devouring Its Frailty"

Thurston Moore - Rock ’n’ Roll Consciousness Watch: "Smoke of Dreams" Listen: "Cease Fire"

Wale - SHINE Watch: "Running Back" (featuring Lil Wayne) Watch: "Fashion Week" (featuring G-Eazy)

Willie Nelson - God’s Problem Child Watch: "He Won’t Ever Be Gone" Watch: "Old Timer"

Wilsen - I Go Missing in My Sleep Watch: "Centipede" Watch: "Garden"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

The Circle: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Listen: Jonsí - "Simple Gifts" Listen: Danny Elfman - "Happy Little Robots"

Kweku Collins - grey Listen: "Lucky Ones"

Majid Jordan - "Phases" Watch: "Phases"

Ryan Adams - Prisoner B-Sides Listen: "Stop Talking" Listen: "What If We’re Wrong"

Sufjan Stevens - Carrie & Lowell Live

Swans - The Great Annihilator Reissue Listen: "Killing for Company"

Van Morrison - The Authorized Bang Collection

New Music Tuesday - October 21, 2014

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

New Full-Length Releases

Aretha Franklin - Sings the Great Diva Classics Aretha is undisputedly the greatest R&B/soul diva of the past century, but that doesn't mean she has no love for the other divas out there. Her 38th studio album has her covering hit songs from a variety of other songstresses. She draws inspiration from both her contemporaries (The Supremes, Gladys Knight), newer artists (Alicia Keys, Adele), and some in between. She one-ups most of them, and proves that she's still got it! Listen: "Rolling in the Deep" Listen: "I Will Survive"

Cold War Kids - Hold My Home The Cold War Kids have released five albums during their decade together, but only one, their first, has been a beloved record of mine. Much of their work since seems to have been, boringly, attempting to appeal to a broad audience. I am, however, an immensely stubborn fan and will stick around even if they never release another "Hang Me Up to Dry." I'm not sure if this is the album to do it, but I don't completely dislike early singles from the record. Watch: "All This Could Be Yours" Listen: "Hot Coals"

The Coral - The Curse of Love The Coral haven't released a proper album since 2010's The Butterfly House, though it seems longer since we haven't heard much from them in the meantime. It may still be a little while until we get new studio output from them. Their latest is a "lost album" of sorts, it was originally recorded in between 2005 and 2007. Watch: "The Curse of Love" Watch: "Nine Times the Colour Red"

Dorian Concept - Joined Ends Dorian Concept is a composer and producer from Austria who has been a member of a funk band, Jacob's Salty and Bamboozling Ladder, and has contributed keyboards to Flying Lotus. His sophomore album sees him returning from a three-year production and touring hiatus and trying something new, both with his sound and the instruments that he employs. Listen: "Ann River, Mn" Listen: "Draft Culture"

Jessie Ware - Tough Love Jessie Ware made a big impact with the release of her debut album, Devotion, two years ago. She has an R&B style that's a bit of a throwback to the genre in the 80s and 90s. It's also something I never thought I would like, let alone love as much as I have. Tough Love is a worthy follow-up, Ware proves that she has staying power. Watch: "Say You Love Me" Watch: "Tough Love"

Mark Lanegan Band - Phantom Radio This is the ninth album from long-performing Mark Lanegan. The album continues on an electronic sound he first explored on his previous record, 2012's Blues Funeral. Phantom Radio follows an EP released in August that served as a bit of a teaser for this record. Listen: "Floor of the Ocean" Listen: "Torn Red Heart"

New Build - Pour It On New Build is another side project from members of Hot Chip. They formed in 2011, with Al Doyle and Felix Martin from the other band; along with Tom Hopkins and Joy Leah Joseph. This is their second record. Their sound is differentiated from main act with more ambient and new wave elements. Watch: "Look in Vain" Watch: "The Sunlight"

Scott Walker + Sunn O))) - Soused Scott Walker is a long-established pop, avant-garde, and art rock singer; Sunn O))) is a drone metal band active since the late '90s...this partnership makes total sense. Collaborations are nothing new for Sunn O))), who have previously worked with Earth, Ulver, and Boris; but it's fairly new territory for Walker, who has not been known for collaborating since his days with The Walker Brothers. I don't know much about Sunn O))), but unless they sound a lot like Walker, this has more of his style to it. Watch: "Brando"

Thurston Moore - The Best Day Thurston Moore has been anything but idle since the end of his marriage to Kim Gordon and of his iconic band, Sonic Youth. His output has included a collaborative album with Yoko Ono and Kim Gordon (recorded pre-divorce, of course), and albums with two new bands, Chelsea Light Moving and Caught on Tape. The Best Day is his first solo record since the end of his band, but his fourth overall. Watch: "Speak to the Wild" Listen: "The Best Day"

Weyes Blood - The Innocents Weyes Blood is the stage name of Jackie-O Motherfucker and Ariel Pink collaborator Natalie Mering. Her solo music stands in contrast to the experimental nature of her past work, with a decidedly country folk style. However, on this record, she plays traditional instruments off of electronics and effects. Watch: "Some Winters" Listen: "Hang On"

Other New Releases

Escort - "If You Say So" Escort is a disco band out of Brooklyn who have released one album, 2011's Escort. Most of their output have been standalone singles. This latest single comes backed with a cover of a St. Vincent track. Listen: "If You Say So" Listen: "Actor out of Work"

Hundred Waters - Down from the Rafters Remixes Hundred Waters released their sophomore album, The Moon Rang Like a Bell, in May of this year. One of the album's tracks is getting the remix treatment this week, including contributions from Huxley, The Field, and Tim Hecker. Listen: "Down from the Rafters" (The Field Remix) Listen: "Down from the Rafters" (Huxley Remix)

Master Mix: Red Hot + Arthur Russell Arthur Russell was a cellist and composer whose work and collaborations spanned a broad range of genres. His career was cut short as he passed away of complications from AIDS in 1992. He was relatively obscure when he died, but over the following years, he's achieved a greater level of attention. The latest Red Hot release features covers of his music from such artists as Phosphorescent, Devendra Banhart, and Sufjan Stevens. Listen: Hot Chip - "Go Bang" Listen: Sufjan Stevens - "A Little Lost"

Sleater-Kinney - Start Together After an eight-year hiatus, iconic punk rock band, Sleater-Kinney got back together this year and will be releasing their eighth album, No Cities to Love, early next year. Before that happens, they are re-releasing their entire back catalog as the Start Together box set. In addition to their previous albums, the first single, "Bury Our Friends," from their forthcoming album, is included in the release. Watch: "Jumpers" Watch: "Bury Our Friends"

These New Puritans - Expanded (Live at the Barbican) These New Puritans released their latest album, Field of Reeds, in June of last. They are following that up with a new live record. Live at the Barbican was recorded with a 35-piece orchestra at the Barbican in London in April of this year. Listen: "We Want War"

New Music Tuesday - August 26, 2014

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

New Full-Length Releases

Ariana Grande - My Everything Pop tends to be a difficult genre for me. It's easy to deride the genre as being vapid and impersonal, and just bad music. Aside from a few favorite acts (like Adele and Lily Allen), I've tried to stay away. However, I'm recognizing that there is some good in even Top 40 hits. Ariana Grande has been making a name for herself in music since last year's Yours Truly and has some really enjoyable songs out on her follow-up. Sure, it's prototypical pop, but it's fun and easy to listen to. Watch: "Problem" (featuring Iggy Azalea) Watch: "Break Free" (featuring Zedd)

Basement Jaxx - Junto Junto is the seventh studio album from Basement Jaxx, but the first since they released Zephyr in 2009. The band started performing tracks from the album in late 2011 and have released a number of singles (some from the record, others not) since that time. Watch: "Never Say Never" Watch: "Galactical"

The Bug - Angels & Devils The Bug is the recording name of British producer Kevin Martin. He has put work under a number of different names (God, Techno Animal, and Ice), but he started using The Bug in 1997. While he's been active for over twenty year, it was some of the guest artists on this latest record that caught my attention. Featured here are Death Grips and Liz Harris (known for her work as Grouper). Listen: "Void" (featuring Liz Harris) Listen: "Save Me" (featuring Gonjasufi)

Cassie Ramone - The Time Has Come Like sometimes bandmate, Kevin Morby, Cassie has been gradually reducing the number of people named in her projects. She began as a member of Vivian Girls (which disbanded earlier this year), then released a couple of records with Morby as The Babies. This is her first solo record. Although she is performing under her own name, she's still worked with other musicians on the record, mainly Ariel Pink, known for his own work as Haunted Graffiti. Listen: "Hangin On"

Cayetana - Nervous Like Me Cayetana is an all-girl punk band based out of Philadelphia. The band has been around for a few years, but Nervous Like Me is their first record. The band opted to focus on touring and built up a strong fan-base over their first few years together. I heard about them from Stereogum, an online magazine that's become a great source for new music. One listen and I, like many others, became hooked. Watch: "Hot Dad Calendar" Listen: "Serious Things Are Stupid"

Cymbals Eat Guitars - LOSE Cymbals Eat Guitars were one of my favorite things (music-wise, at least) of 2011 and were also one of my favorite live shows of the year. The wait between records has seemed longer than it actually was, since not much was heard from the band in the time between. The inspiration for the tracks on the record came following the death of lead singer Joe D'Agostino's friend Benjamin High. Listen: "Jackson" Listen: "Warning"

J Mascis - Tied to a Star When not recording with his bands Dinosaur Jr. or Sweet Apple, or working on a solo record, J Mascis remains a busy guy. Last year, he recorded a duet with Sharon van Etten for a John Denver tribute record and more recently provided guitars for Strand of Oaks Heal. He's back with a new solo record, a following to 2011's Several Shades of Why. Watch: "Every Morning" Listen: "Wide Awake"

Johnny Aries - Unbloomed Johnny Aries is a member of The Drums, for which he provides guitars and backing vocals. While that band will be releasing a new record later this month, Mr. Aries is putting out his debut now! While still sporting the jangly, pop-infused style of his main act, his sound is reminiscent of The Smiths. Judging by the song titles, I'm guessing the tone and content of the songs evokes that classic band, as well. Listen: "This Grave Is My Bed Tonight"

Merchandise - After the End Merchandise is a band out of Tampa who began getting a lot of attention online a couple of years ago following the release of Children of Desire. They followed that up with 2013's Totale Night. This latest is the fourth record and sees the band drawing from early-90s indie rock sounds. Watch: "Enemy" Watch: "Little Killer"

The New Pornographers - Brill Bruisers All members of The New Pornographers have been fairly busy since the release of their 2010 record Together. AC Newman released Shut Down the Streets; Neko Case had The Worse Things Get...; Kathryn Calder's Bright & Vivid; and Dan Bejar's Destroyer with Kaputt. Despite their busy individual careers, they come back together every couple of years to make a new record. They all make amazing music, but something a little more special special comes out when they're all together. Watch: "War on the East Coast" Listen: "Brill Bruisers"

The Rentals - Lost in Alphaville The Rentals is a band founded by Matt Sharp, former bassist for Weezer. The band released two albums in the mid-to-late 1990s, then quietly broke up. They rebanded is 2005, touring and releasing a number of EPs. They finally return with a new full-length release. Matt Sharp is the only remaining member of the original line-up, but enlists members of Ozma and Lucius, as well as Patrick Carney for this new record. Listen: "1000 Seasons" Listen: "Thought of Sound"

Rustie - Green Language Rustie is a Glaswegian producer who got a lot of positive attention following the release of his 2011 debut Glass Swords. The album made a number of year-end lists, which surprised the musician himself, feeling that the album was experimental playing-around. He aimed to create something more mature for the follow-up, enlisting the help Redinho, D Double E, and Danny Brown on the release. Watch: "Attak" (featuring Danny Brown) Watch: "Raptor"

You. - Sunchaser You. is another band I found out about thanks to Stereogum. This band, with an impossible-to-Google name, hail from New York City. Sunchaser is their third record, first for their new label Dais and with a broader line-up. They make synth-y music with pulsing drums and reflective lyrics. Watch: "Feral"

Other New Releases

Au Revoir Simone - Spectrums Au Revoir Simone released their fourth album, Move in Spectrums, in September of last year. In what has now become standard form, this is the remix version of that albums, with contributions from Dubka, Jack Savidge, and NZCA. Listen: "Somebody Who" (NZCA Remix)

Deafheaven - "From the Kettle to the Coil" The 2014 Adult Swim Singles Series is still going strong. This new track from black metal band Deafheaven is the 12th out. Listen: "From the Kettle to the Coil"

M83 - Before the Dawn Heals Us Reissue French musician M83 (Anthony Gonzalez) is re-releasing his first three records today. Before the Dawn Heals Us was initially released in 2005 and was his third record. Watch: "Lower Your Eyelids to Die with the Sun" Watch: "Teen Angst"

M83 - Dead Cities, Red Seas, and Lost Ghosts Reissue Dead Cities, Red Seas, and Lost Ghosts was M83's second album, originally released in 2003. Watch: "Run into Flowers" Listen: "Birds"

M83 - M83 Reissue M83's self-titled album was his very first full-length. It was originally released in 2001. It's been reissued in the past. The album did not initially get a US release (the band is French), so it was released again in 2005 with a new track, "Slowly." This new reissue retains that newer song. Listen: "Night" Listen: "Slowly"

Mark Lanegan Band - No Bells on Sunday EP Mark Lanegan Band is gearing up to release his 9th studio album in October. Before that, he has put out a new EP, available only on vinyl (unless you pre-order his record on iTunes). Watch: "Sad Lover" Listen: "Dry Iced"

Real Estate - "Had to Hear" Real Estate released an excellent third album, Atlas, earlier this year. "Had to Hear" is one of the tracks from the record. It is released with a cover of a song originally recorded by The Nerves. Watch: "Had to Hear" Listen: "Paper Dolls"

Thurston Moore - Sun Gift Earth Former Sonic Youth frontman Thurston Moore will be releasing his fourth solo record, The Best Day in October. Sun Gift Earth is a cassette-only release from the performer. The cassette is released in a limited run of 700 copies and can be purchased from Big Cartel.

Titus Andronicus - "Stranded (On My Own)" In early July, Titus Andronicus announced a 7" singles series, to be released every seven weeks. The first was a reissue of one of their very first tracks. This next one is a new track from the band. Watch: "Stranded (On My Own)"