My Favorite Things of the Week

Sudan Archives, aka Brittney Denise Parks, released her debut album, Athena, this week. Also this week, the artist, who I found out is from Cincinnati, sat down with Stereogum to discuss the story behind each of the album's 14 songs.

Vince Staples has a new show, aptly called "The Vince Staples Show," which has served as his vehicle for new music. This week, he released the second single tied to the project, "Sheet Music." As always, his lyrics are amazing.

Sleigh Bells got their start making blown-out, high-octane music, but have reigned it in considerably since their 2008 debut. Their latest song takes on a blues feel, large due to it being a cover of Leadbelly's classic, "Where Did You Sleep Last Night." The song was recorded for The Rhythm Section's soundtrack.

I am somewhat fascinated by Igor, the character Tyler, The Creator, created for his latest album of the same name. The characters has shown up in a couple of interesting music videos already, and last week, Tyler released another video for a track from the album, "I THINK," featuring the character.

stereogum.com

The New Pornographers released a new album just a couple of short months ago. That album was the second that did not feature long-time member Dan Bejar. I assumed his absence was due to him working on the latest album from his other major project, Destroyer, and this week that seems to be confirmed. He announced Have We Met, due on January 31 of next year.

Check out my Upcoming Releases page for more new music to come and see a list of other newly-announced albums below:

Algiers - There Is No Year (January 17)
Amy Klein - Winter/Time (November 22)
Andy Shauf - The Neon Skyline (January 24)
Banoffee - Look At Us Now Dad (February 21)
Ben Watt - Storm Damage (January 31)
Billy Corgan - Cotillions (November 22)
Burial - Tunes 2011-2019 (December 6)
Clams Casino - Moon Trip Radio (November 7)
CocoRosie - Put the Shine On (March 6)
Coldplay - Everyday Life (November 22)
Dan Deacon - Mystic Familiar (January 31)
Dan Mangan - Nice, Nice, Very Nice 10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (November 15)
Earl Sweatshirt - Feet of Clay (out now)
Empty Country - Empty Country (February 14)
Frances Quinlan - Likewise (January 31)
Hannah Diamond - Reflections (November 22)
The Innocence Mission - See You Tomorrow (January 17)
Juana Molina - Forfun (out now)
Kesha - High Road (January 10)
Mura Masa - R.Y.C. (January 17)
Pinegrove - Marigold (January 17)
Squirrel Flower - I Was Born Swimming (January 31)
Tame Impala - The Slow Rush (February 14)
TNGHT - II (November 12)
Torres - Silver Tongue (January 31)
Uncut Gems (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (December 13)
Wire - Mind Hive (January 24)

New Music Friday - November 11, 2016

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Martha Wainwright - Goodnight City The Wainwright Family remains one of the most prolific families in the music industry. Just one year after the release of the debut album, Songs in the Dark, from the Wainwright Sisters (Martha and Lucy Wainwright Roche), Martha is back with a new solo effort. The album features contributions from Merrill Garbus, Glen Hansard, and several members of her family, including her brother Rufus Wainwright. Listen: "Around the Bend" Listen: "Take the Reins"

oddCouple - Liberation oddCouple, Zach Henderson, is the house producer for the Chicago record label Closed Sessions, which boasts signees Kweku Collins and Jamila Woods. His new album showcases some of the best that Chicago hip-hop has to offer, including labelmates Woods and Collins, as well as GLC and Joey Purp. Listen: "Love Above" (featuring Jamila Woods & Kweku) Listen: "Eidetic"

Sad13 - Slugger Sad13 is Sadie Dupuis, best known as the frontwoman for Speedy Ortiz, with which she has released two albums, including last year's excellent Foil Deer. The band hasn't gone anywhere, but Sadie has struck out on her own as a solo artist. She first debuted the Sad13 project earlier this year on a collaborative single, "Basement Queens," with rapper Lizzo. Her debut album takes on a poppier approach, but seeks to counter the typically misogynistic messages expressed in the genre. Watch: "Less Than 2" Watch: "Get a Yes"

Sleigh Bells - Jessica Rabbit Sleigh Bells could have easily been a gimmick and lasted no longer than one album. The duo is defined by heavily-distorted guitars and pop melodies. As they release their fourth album, they haven't lost what made their sound distinctive, and seem to almost defiantly continue to flout it. When in doubt, be extra, and Sleigh Bells are definitely extra (that's a compliment)! Watch: "It’s Just Us Now" Watch: "I Can Only Stare"

A Tribe Called Quest - We Got It From Here, Thank You for Your Service A Tribe Called Quest seemed like a done deal following the release of 1998's The Love Movement. With the death of central member Phife Dawg earlier this year, hopes for any full return were further diminished. It turned out that Phife had already rejoined his bandmates and a new album had been recorded. They even brought back original member Jarobi White, who had departed following their debut album. They have announced that this is their final album; if so, they've gone out on a high note, returning to the roots of their sound. Watch: "We the People"

Other Full-Length Releases

Daniel Bachman - Daniel Bachman Listen: "Brightleaf Blues I" Listen: "The Flower Tree"

GUM - Flash in the Pan Listen: "Gemini" Listen: "Flash in the Pan"

Luke Temple - A Hand Through the Cellar Door Watch: "Maryanne Was Quiet" Listen: "Birds of Late December"

The Men - Devil Music Listen: "Lion’s Den" Listen: "Devil Music"

Simian Mobile Disco - Welcome to Sideways Watch: "Remember in Reverse" Listen: "Far Away from a Distance"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

A-Trak - In the Loop: A Decade of Remixes Listen: "Oh!" Listen: "Kilometer"

The Band - The Last Waltz 40th Anniversary Edition

Bob Dylan - The 1966 Live Recordings Listen: "Tell Me Mama"

Body/Head - No Waves Listen: "The Show Is Over"

Broken Social Scene - Feel Good Lost Reissue Listen: "I Slept with Bonhomme at the CBC" Listen: "Guilty Cubicles"

David Bowie - Legacy Listen: "Space Oddity" Listen: "Changes"

Forth Wanderers - Slop EP Watch: "Slop" Watch: "Know Better"

Hudson Mohawke - Ded Sec - Watch Dogs 2 (Original Soundtrack) Listen: "Shanghaied" Listen: "Play N Go"

Pink Floyd - The Early Years (1967-1972) Listen: "Arnold Layne" Listen: "See Emily Play"

The Rolling Stones - Havana Moon Watch: "Brown Sugar" Watch: "Paint It Black"

Yoko Ono - Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins Reissue Listen: "Side One" Listen: "Side Two"

Yoko Ono - Unfinished Music No. 2: Life with Lions Reissue Listen: "Cambridge 1969" Listen: "No Bed for Beatle John"

Yoko Ono - Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band Reissue Listen: "Why" Listen: "Mother"

New Music Tuesday - 10/08/2013

New Full-Length Releases

Anna Calvi - One Breath While I started listening to Anna Calvi following the release of her eponymous debut album in 2011, it wasn't until I heard the early singles off this release that I really started to fall in love. Though she already had a strong, independent vibe going, it felt even stronger leading into her follow up. I've had a couple of weeks to listen to this album and to absolutely fall in love with it! Listen/Watch: "Sing to Me"

Cage the Elephant - Melophobia Cage the Elephant burst onto the scene in 2008 with their raucous and rebellious self-titled debut. Unfortunately, their follow-up, Thank You, Happy Birthday, didn't have quite the same magic. They sounded like a band that wanted to grow their sound, but didn't know how. I think they've figured it out with this one. While it still maintains much of what made their music so much fun in the first go-around, they also sound a bit more mature. Listen/Watch: "Come a Little Closer"

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. - The Speed of Things This band has such a deceptive name. On paper, you think you're going to get something incredibly silly, or really country. While some of their songs, and definitely most of their music videos, do have a certain silliness to them, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. may be one of the most talented  pop/indie rock bands out there. They demonstrate great lyrics, harmonies and melodies. All this, and they're still a lot of fun to listen to! Listen/Watch: "If You Didn't See Me (Then You Weren't on the Dancefloor)"

The Fratellis - We Need Medicine As I said last week, I thought that this band was done for. Like with Cage the Elephant, they released an awesome debut and followed it up with something very disappointing. And, like Cage the Elephant, the latest is a bit of a return to what they do well. I'm pretty happy to see The Fratellis return to form. They had released what was probably one of my favorite (and the most fun) albums of the British indie rock surge and they are nearly back to that sound here. Listen/Watch: "Seven Nights Seven Days"

Frog Eyes - Carey's Cold Spring The announcement of this latest album from Frog Eyes also came with some tragic news; frontman Carey Mercer had been diagnosed with throat cancer. Because of this, the band may not be touring in support of the record. Whatever happens in the bands future, and I'm sure all are praying for a successful recovery, they've put out a great record here. Listen/Watch: "Claxxon's Lament"

Glasser - Interiors I wasn't sure of how big a name Glasser really was. I stumbled across her debut album, Ring, a couple of years ago, but it didn't seem like I saw her name in very many places. I was scared I wouldn't know when she released a follow up. Thankfully, her name seemed to be everywhere when this album was announced. She's one of the few great experimental female artists, and I'm excited to see how she's grown on this follow up! Listen/Watch: "Design"

Lee Ranaldo and the Dust - Last Night on Earth All former members of Sonic Youth seem to be keeping themselves pretty busy, and Lee Ranaldo, the band's guitarist is no different. He released Between the Times and the Tides last year, and wasted no time in releasing this follow up. In contrast to the music put out by his former bandmates, his music is relatively lowkey; the others have maintained a closer tie to the band's punk aesthetics. I like it when artists step away from their bands and release something completely different. Listen: "Ambulancer"

of Montreal - lousy with sylvianbriar of Montreal are the purveyors of crazy, eclectic music accompanied by crazy album covers and even crazier live shows. For their latest offering, they home recorded on a 24-track tape machine (for a more vintage vibe) and have taken on a slight country sound. So, making their music even more eclectic than it already it. They're consistently one of the weirdest and most fun bands to listen to and this album should be no different! Listen/Watch: "Fugitive Air"

Pusha T - My Name Is My Name My self-education of hip hop continues! I first became familiar with Pusha T on last year's Cruel Summer compilation from GOOD Music. His was one of my favorite voices on the release and I decided that I wanted to hear more. It feels like I've been waiting for forever for this album, though. I heard the first single (below) way back in March and have been on pins and needles ever since. It's finally here and I think I might have a new favorite rapper! Listen/Watch: "Numbers on the Boards"

Sleigh Bells - Bitter Rivals When Sleigh Bells released their first album, Treats, in 2010, they seemed a bit like they would be a flash in the pan. Sure, they released something that was fairly unique, but it didn't seem like it would be a sound people would be interested in past one album. But they proved me wrong; they successfully grew their sound into a follow up, Reign of Terror, and again here. They've maintained the loud, feedback-heavy guitars, but there's enough else there to give them some longevity. Listen/Watch: "Bitter Rivals"

Other New Releases

Albert Hammond, Jr. - AHJ EP Throughout the releases of the last two Strokes albums, I've really been wishing for more side work from its members. Well, here's the first release since the band released 2011's Angles and thank God (my hopes for their return was not matched by the output)! I can only hope this means more solo work from the other members, especially Fab Moretti's Little Joy! Listen/Watch: "St. Justice"

How I Live Now Soundtrack How I Live Now is a 2013 film about a neurotic US teenager sent to live with family in the UK in the midst of war (that's about all I know about it since I've only seen a trailer). In true fashion for British cinema, it has what promises to be an incredible soundtrack, provided by electronic artist Jon Hopkins. It also includes tracks from Amanda Palmer and Natasha Khan (aka Bat for Lashes). So yeah, pretty awesome! Listen/Watch: Natasha Khan & Jon Hopkins - "Garden's Heart"

Parquet Courts - Tally All the Things That You Broke EP I jumped on the Parquet Courts bandwagon a little bit late. They released their second full-length, Light Up Gold, last year, but I only started listening this year. It's good punk music, though. This is their follow up to that critically successful album. Listen/Watch: "You Got Me Wonderin' Now"

Passion Pit - Constant Conversations EP Passion Pit released a pretty decent sophomore album, Gossamer, in summer of last year. "Constant Conversations" was one of the singles from that album and now it's getting the inevitable remix treatment. The EP features a remix from Dillon Francis and a pair of new tracks. Listen/Watch: "Constant Conversations"

RED HOT + FELA Red Hot is an organization which promotes AIDS awareness. Over the 23 years, they have released compilation albums, always featuring a diverse selection of artists performing songs with a particular theme. This album features musicians such as tUnE-yArDs, Sinkane and My Morning Jacket performing covers of songs by the legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti. Listen: tUnE-yArDs, ?uestlove, Angelique Kidjo, Akua Naru - “Lady”