New Music Friday - May 17, 2024

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

	Ani DiFranco - Unprecedented Sh!t Listen: "Unprecedented Sh!t" Listen: "The Thing at Hand"
	Beth Gibbons - Lives Outgrown Watch: "Floating on a Moment" Watch: "Reaching Out"
	Billie Eilish - HIT ME HARD AND SOFT Watch: "LUNCH" Watch: "BITTERSUITE"
	Kaïa Kater - Strange Medicine Watch: "Fédon" Watch: "Maker Taker"
	Rapsody - Please Don’t Cry Watch: "3:AM" (featuring Erykah Badu) Watch: "Back in My Bag"

Other Full-Length Releases

The Avett Brothers - The Avett Brothers Watch: "Forever Now" Watch: "Orion’s Belt"

Blitzen Trapper - 100s of 1000s, Millions of Billions Watch: "Planetarium" Watch: "Cosmic Backseat Education"

Cage the Elephant - Neon Pill Watch: "Out Loud" Watch: "Metaverse"

Crumb - AMAMA Watch: "AMAMA" Watch: "The Bug"

Guster - Ooh La La Watch: "Keep Going" Watch: "Maybe We’re Alright"

Mach-Hommy - #RICHAXXHAITIAN Listen: "#RICHAXXHAITIAN" Listen: "(…)"

of Montreal - Lady on the Cusp Watch: "Rude Girl on Rotation" Watch: "Yung Hearts Bleed Free"

One Step Closer - All You Embrace Watch: "Leap Years" Watch: "Giant’s Despair"

PALLBEARER - Mind Burns Alive Watch: "Where the Light Fades" Watch: "Endless Place"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

BADBADNOTGOOD - Mid Spiral: Chaos Watch: "Weird & Wonderful" Watch: "Last Laugh"

Charlotte Cardin - A Week in Nashville Listen: "Did Life Work Out for You" Listen: "Lonely with Our Love"

Modest Mouse - Good News For People Who Love Bad News: 20th Anniversary Expanded Edition Watch: "Ocean Breathes Salty" (Poolside Remix) Watch: "Bury Me with It" (Jacknife Lee Remix)

Stop Making Sense: A Tribute Album Watch: Paramore - "Burning Down the House" Watch: Chicano Batman - "Crosseyed and Painless" (featuring Money Mark)

Sylvan Esso - Sylvan Esso (10 Year Anniversary Edition) Watch: "Hey Mami" (Rick Wade Remix) Watch: "The Cosmos"

New Music Friday - June 24, 2016

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Broods - Conscious Broods is a duo out of New Zealand who released their first album, Evergreen, in 2014. On their second album, they get some help from some other pop superstars; including Tove Lo and fellow New Zealander Lorde, who co-wrote one of the album's singles, "Heartlines." Watch: "Free" Watch: "Heartlines"

Deerhoof - The Magic Deerhoof has always enticed fans with their experimental noise pop sound. They began to scale that back a bit over the past couple of albums, opting for a simpler sound, but never straying far from what they've become known for. They take it back another notch on this record, looking to the music they listened to as kids for inspiration. Of course, they have different backgrounds with members from both the States and Japan. The result is bound to still recall a variety of styles and genres. Watch: "Criminals of the Dream" Watch: "Debut"

Delorean - Muzik Delorean's music has always had elements of dance music to, though they still primarily used guitars in their work. Their latest album, which follows 2013's Apar, abandons guitars almost completely. Instead, they incorporate synths and rely more on Ekhi Lopetegi's vocals. Watch: "Crystal" Watch: "Muzik"

Nice as Fuck - Nice as Fuck Nice as Fuck (also known as NAF or Nice as F***) is Jenny Lewis' latest project since the end of Rilo Kiley five years; she previously released a solo album, The Voyager, in 2014. Her new band also includes Erika Forster of Au Revoir Simone and Tennessee Thomas of The Like. The debut album was surprise-released following a few performances in the earlier part of the year. Watch: "Door" Listen: "Guns"

Other Full-Length Releases

The Avett Brothers - True Sadness Watch: "Ain’t No Man" Listen: "True Sadness"

DJ Shadow - The Mountain Will Fall Watch: "Nobody Speak" (featuring Run the Jewels) Watch: "The Mountain Will Fall"

Marian Hill - ACT ONE Watch: "I Want You" Watch: "I Know Why"

Mick Harvey - Delirium Tremens Watch: "Dont Say a Thing (Ne Dis Rien)" (featuring Xanthe Waite) Listen: "A Violent Poison Thats What Love Is"

River Tiber - Indigo Watch: "West" (featuring Daniel Caesar) Listen: "Acid Test"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

Alt-J - Live at Red Rocks Watch: "Left Hand Free"

Jay Som - "I Think You’re Alright"/"Rush" Listen: "I Think You’re Alright" Listen: "Rush"

Jim O’Rourke & Fennesz - It’s Hard for Me to Say I’m Sorry Listen: "I Just Want You to Stay" Listen: "Wouldn’t Wanna Be Swept Away"

Lion Babe - Sun Joint Listen: "Endless Summer" Listen: "Rain Drums"

Marvin Gaye - What’s Going On Listen: "What’s Going On" (featuring BJ the Chicago Kid)

Tyondai Braxton - Oranged Out EP Watch: "Oranged Out"

New Music Friday - December 18, 2015

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Cage the Elephant - Tell Me I’m Pretty Cage the Elephant's fourth album was produced by Dan Auerbach. His influence seemed obvious upon the release of the album's first single, with fans noting similarities to the style of Auerbach's main band, The Black Keys. The comparisons, and the attendant criticism, waned a bit once more songs were released, displaying a broader range of styles than the blues rock the record's producer is known for. Watch: "Mess Around" Listen: "Trouble"

Pusha T - King Push - Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude Pusha T had been teasing a new album, King Push, for most of 2015. This is not that album; which is currently slated for release in July. This album is a bit of a prequel to that highly-anticipated record, but is a fully flushed out release in its own right. The album was preceded by a new short film from Pusha, entitled Darkest Before Dawn. Watch: "Crutches, Crosses, Caskets" Watch: "Untouchable"

Other Full-Length Releases

Stephen O’Malley - F**k Fundamentalist Pigs

Taylor Bennett - Broad Shoulders Listen: "Broad Shoulders" (featuring Chance The Rapper) Listen: "Dancing in the Rain" (featuring Donnie Trumpet, Shay Lewis, & Brandon Fox)

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

30th Century Records Compilation Volume 1 Listen: Sam Cohen - "Use Your Illusion" Listen: The Arcs - "Fool’s Gold"

Ariana Grande - Christmas & Chill Watch: "True Love" Listen: "Wit It This Christmas"

The Avett Brothers - Live, Vol. 4

East India Youth - REMIX EP

Jehnny Beth & Julian Casablancas - "Boy/Girl" Watch: "Boy/Girl"

Lil Durk - 300 Days, 300 Nights Watch: "My Beyoncé" (featuring Dej Loaf) Watch: "Ride 4 Me"

Thomas Fekete - Burner Listen: "Pick Up the Things That You Need" Listen: "Treason"

New Music Tuesday - October 15, 2013

New Full-Length Releases

The Avett Brothers - Magpie and the Dandelion I wasn't entirely crazy about The Avett Brothers the first time that I heard them. It was at the time that I and Love and You came out. The album had, at the time, been their biggest commercial success. I didn't quite get the hype; it wasn't until a good friend of mine introduced me to their earlier work, specifically Four Thieves Gone, that I really started to appreciate them. It remains my favorite of their records, but I'm always excited for new work. Listen/Watch: "Another Is Waiting"

Boldy James - My First Chemistry Set Boldy James is a young rapper out of Detroit. In true hip hop fashion, he is working with a number of other notable artists on this album, including Action Bronson, Da$h and Earl Sweatshirt (who is featured on the track below). Actually, Earl Sweatshirt is why I'm checking this guy out, he's been giving him a lot of praise. Perhaps fittingly (or maybe intentionally), this album was produced by The Alchemist. Listen: "Reform School"

Cass McCombs - Big Wheel and Others Two years ago, Cass McCombs released two albums, Wit's End and Humor Risk, both of which ended up being incredibly releases. He's releasing just as much material this year, but consolidating it onto one double album. I think he may be one of the best songwriters out there right now, and his music always feels incredible personal. I have to wonder, though, since this is a double album, if it ends up on my year-end list, does it count twice? Listen: "There Can Only Be One"

Cults - Static I'm able to act like a true hipster when talking about this band; I have been listening to them before they were even moderately big. I saw them perform at a tiny coffee shop in Bloomington about a year before their self-titled debut album was released. Yes...I'm bragging. That album ended up being one of my favorites of 2011, and I was able to see them perform a second time this past year at Bonnaroo. I don't recall any new songs being played, but that doesn't make me any less excited for this follow-up! Listen/Watch: "High Road"

Diane Birch - Speak a Little Louder It's been four years since this singer-songwriter released her debut album, Bible Belt. That's a long time to wait for a follow-up, but great musicians always make it worth the wait. Her sophomore album sees her moving away somewhat from her roots base towards a more "atmospheric" sound It seems she's done something different with each release, an EP released in 2010 featured covers of mostly post-punk songs. It's always good to see an artist who's willing and able to perform various styles. Listen/Watch: "All the Love You Got"

The Dismemberment Plan - Uncanney Valley D-Plan didn't have a huge following when they were together. After breaking up in 2003 to return to other careers, their music started to gain a cult following. They embarked on a reunion tour in 2011, during which I caught their performance at Pitchfork. Apparently, seeing the fan response to those performances inspired them to record again. So, twelve years after Change, we are finally getting a follow-up! Listen/Watch: "Waiting"

The Head and the Heart - Let's Be Still This band got a massive amount of hype coming off of their debut in 2011. While it wasn't a critical success, they developed a strong and loyal fan following. They were like The Lumineers before their debut last year (or Mumford & Sons a few years earlier), a folk rock band that the critics don't always love, but the fans can't get enough of. We'll have to wait a bit to see if, like Mumford, they can replicate the success of their debut a second time. Listen/Watch: "Another Story"

Kevin Devine - Bulldozer For his latest album, singer-songwriter Kevin Devine started a Kickstarter campaign to raise the funds. He reached his goal fairly quickly and was able to create two albums from the funds. This release will be his seventh solo studio album. Listen: "Little Bulldozer"

Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band - Bubblegum The is the second of the two albums Devine funded with his Kickstarter campaign. On this, his eighth studio album, he's gotten the contribution of his backing band. Listen/Watch: "Bubblegum"

Luke Temple - Good Mood Fool Temple is a member of the band Here We Go Magic, who released their latest, A Different Ship, in May of 2012. He's been recording with that band since 2009, but he's recorded as a solo artist since 2004 and this is his fourth full-length release. Listen/Watch: "Florida"

Paul McCartney - New Paul McCartney has been around for 55 years and shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. I got the chance to see him perform live at Bonnaroo this past year; he had more energy than many of the performers a third or even a quarter of his age. Watching him, it's easy to understand why he became and remains a superstar. What's even more incredible is that, after nearly six decades, he still puts out great music! Listen/Watch: "Queenie Eye"

Tim Hecker - Virgins Tim Hecker's last album, Instrumental Tourist, was released with fellow ambient artist Daniel Lopatin. Lopatin released his own follow up with a couple of weeks ago. Now, it's his friend's turn. I first got into Hecker's music after seeing him perform here in Cincinnati at the MusicNow festival about two years ago. It was my first real foray into ambient music and I'm pretty happy that I took that leap. Listen/Watch: "Black Refraction"

Willie Nelson - To All the Girls The ever-active Willie Nelson's latest album consists of duets with a variety of female singers (hence the name). A wide swath of artists are represented, from Loretta Lynn to Carrie Underwood and Mavis Staples to Norah Jones. Like McCartney, Nelson has had a very long career and often puts many younger artists to shame. Listen: "Grandma's Hands"

Other New Releases

Bloc Party - Tapes Bloc Party may have broken up for the second time this past summer, but that hasn't really prevented the release of new music from the band. They released an EP in August, and now here's an album of tracks curated and mixed by Kele Okereke. I guess the Bloc Party name will never truly die! Listen: Bloc Party - "Obscene" (Kele Okereke remix)

Fanfarlo - The Sea EP Fanfarlo put out an absolutely incredible album, Rooms Filled with Light, in 2012. The band's first album was great, too, and they  have managed to grow their sound with each successive release. Thought this is just an EP, I expect even more growth here! Listen/Watch: "A Distance"

Felled Trees - Where We Been Felled Trees is a group of musicians who came together just for this album, which serves as a tribute to Dinosaur Jr.'s Where You Been. It has been 20 years since that album was released and this album honors that anniversary. Listen: "Get Me"

The Kinks - Muswell Hillbillies Reissue Muswell Hillbillies was originally released in November of 1971. The album, named for an area where the Davies brothers grew up wasn't a commercial success for the band, but garnered them some critical praise. We're not really hitting an anniversary for the album, but if you have the opportunity to remaster a great album, why not take it? Listen: "Muswell Hillbilly"

The Men - Campfire Songs EP This punk band released their fourth album, New Moon (no relation to the Twilight series), earlier this year. This EP was recorded at the same time that they recorded that album, though the songs were all recorded around an actual campfire. Listen/Watch: "I Saw Her Face"

Poliça - "Chain My Name" This band seemingly came out of nowhere last year with an incredible debut album Give You the Ghost. They will release a new album next week, but here's a single from the LP in advance! Listen: "Chain My Name"

School of Night - School of Night EP The Antlers have become one of my favorite bands over the past couple of years. Unlike a lot of bands these days, there hasn't been much in the way of side projects from the members. School of Night is the solo side project of Darby Cicci, who plays just about every instrument for the band. The project sounds much like the main band, I guess time will tell whether it evolves beyond that sound. Listen/Watch: "Fire Escape"