New Music Tuesday - November 4, 2014

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

New Full-Length Releases

Arca - Xen This Venezuelan producer has made a name for himself working with Kanye West on Yeezus and FKA Twigs for her second EP and debut album. His work has also gotten him attention from Björk, whose upcoming ninth album he is slated to work on. He is also a musician in his own right; he released several EPs in 2012 and a mixtape last year. This is his debut full-length. Just about everything he's done has come packaged with somewhat disturbing visuals, courtesy of artist and collaborator Jesse Kanda. Watch: "Now You Know" Watch: "Thievery"

Calvin Harris - Motion Calvin Harris is a much more established producer out of Scotland. He has worked with Dizzee Rascal, Kylie Minogue, and Rihanna, but has also released several solo records. His latest features guest spots from Tinashe, Big Sean, and Haim. Watch: "Open Wide" (featuring Big Sean) Watch: "Outside" (featuring Ellie Goulding)

Deerhoof - La Isla Bonita Writing for the 12th album from the now-two-decade-old Deerhoof began when they tried to write a song replicating their live version of the Ramones' "Pinhead." That is not the only influence on the album, they also draw broader inspiration from The Roots, to David Byrne, to Radiohead. The band has always shown a wide variety of styles and influences in their music, so the breadth shown on this record is no surprise. Watch: "Paradise Girls" Watch: "Exit Only"

Grouper - Ruins Grouper, real name Liz Harris, has been performing under the name for almost a decade. Her ninth album, The Man Who Died in His Boat, received fairly universal acclaim when it was released last year. But reviews for her follow-up are even better. The album was recorded before her previous album was released, in 2011, with one track recorded way back in 2004. Watch: "Made of Air" Listen: "Holding"

Hideout - Rookie Hideout is made up of Cory Stier and Gabriel Rodriguez, who provide drums and guitar for indie pop band Cults while on tour. The two are also longtime friends, but started writing and recording tracks together about two years ago. The result of their collaboration is this debut album. Listen: "Where You've Been" Listen: "Skylights"

Jon Batiste Chad Smith Bill Laswell - The Process Red Hot Chili Peppers have become such a big name in their own right, that it's easy to forget that many of its members work in side projects. In this project, drummer Chad Smith partners up with Louisiana jazz musician Jon Batiste and bassist Bill Laswell. The album was intended to be a score for a movie which, apparently, will never get made. It brings together an even wider variety of musicians, including Toshinori Kondo, Killah Priest, and Tunde Adibimpe. Listen: "Drop Away" Listen: "The Drift"

Les Sins - Michael Chaz Bundick has been performing under the name Toro Y Moi since 2008, but has been releasing singles as Les Sins since 2010. The side project focuses on dance music. His first album under the name is largely instrumental, and was inspired by cartoon soundtracks. It does feature some vocals, in the form of guest artist Nate Salman on the track "Why." Watch: "Bother" Watch: "Why"

Theophilus London - Vibes! This is the second album from the young hip hop and R&B musician with the awesome name. He has always attracted some impressive guests, which have included Sara Quin, Glasser, and Solange Knowles in the past. On this go-around, he is working with Soko, Devonte Hynes, and Kanye West. Watch: "Tribe" Listen: "Can't Stop"

Other New Releases

Bob Dylan - The Basement Tapes Complete: The Bootleg Series Vol. 11 This is the 11th volume in Bob Dylan's long-running (since 1991) Bootleg Series. It is also a continuation of the Basement Tapes, which were recordings from Dylan following an 1966 injury. The album brings together several hours of new songs and alternate takes.

The Dead Weather - "Buzzkill(er)"/"It's Just Too Bad" It's been four years since the release of The Dead Weather's last album, Sea of Cowards. In the time since, we've gotten a couple of solo records from Jack White, while Alison Mosshart released a 2011 album with her main act, The Kills. The Dead Weather plan to release a new album next year, but first we get a pair of awesome new songs, the latest in a series of singles over the past couple of years. Listen: "Buzzkill(er)"

The Dismemberment Plans - Change Reissue After reuniting to tour in 2010, this band released Uncanney Valley in 2013, their first album in 12 years. It wasn't their best work and it left many fans a little disappointed. This time, they're turning an eye back to their earlier work, re-releasing their 2001 record. Listen: "The Face of the Earth" Listen: "Secret Curse"

Domo Genesis - Under the Influence 2 Domo Genesis is the stage name of Dominique Cole, a member of the expansive Odd Future rap group, as well as the subgroup MellowHigh. He is slated to release his first full-length sometime next year, but has four mixtapes under his belt (as a solo artist). Listen: "24 Hour Spitness" Listen: "Go Outside" (featuring Iamsu!)

Hyperdub 10.4 This is the fourth and final installment of Hyperdub's 10th anniversary compilations. This one, like the others before, features new tracks from Jessy Lanza, Burial, Darkstar, and a variety of other artists. Listen: Burial - "Lambeth" Listen: Walton - "Laser War"

Liars - "I'm No Gold" Liars released an incredible Mess earlier this year and "I'm No Gold" is the latest single to be released from the record. The single release comes packaged with a couple of new tracks and remixes of the song. Watch: "I'm No Gold" Listen: "Poison Bender"

Modest Mouse - This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About Reissue Last week, Modest Mouse re-released The Lonesome Crowded West. This week, their first album, This Is a Long Drive for Something with Nothing to Think About, is getting the same treatment. The album was originally released in 1996. Listen: "Dramamine" Listen: "Edit the Sad Parts"

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"