Australia's Triple J radio station has a great series called Like a Version, in which artists of many different genres covers songs by other artists, also of various genres. The results are almost always interesting, and most recently, they welcomed Pond to cover Madonna's "Ray of Light." The track sounds right at home with Pond's psychedelic, spaced-out sound. The station has released albums of the cover songs in the past; I'm looking forward to a follow-up that includes this one. If that happens, look for it on my Upcoming Releases page!
This week, The National announced their 8th album, I Am Easy to Find.
The always excellent Cincinnati band have been indie rock mainstays for over a decade. They've been one of my favorites since I was introduced to them in college by a friend, and I generally end up with their albums on my year-end favorites list. Their last release, 2017's Sleep Well Beast, was no different.
They announced the follow-up along with the first single, "Had Your Soul with You," and a trailer featuring actress Alicia Vikander (who also appears on the album cover).
I Am Easy to Find is set for release on May 17 and, yes, I have already pre-ordered it!
Also announced recently:
Baroness - Gold & Grey (June 14)
Billie Marten - Feeding Seahorses By Hand (April 26)
Black Mountain - Destroyer (May 24)
Carla dal Forno - “So Much Better”/“Fever Walk” (April 19)
Clinic - Wheeltappers and Shunters (May 10)
Dessner-Labèque - El Chan (April 5)
Greys - Age Hasn’t Spoiled You (May 10)
The Head and the Heart - Living Mirage (May 17)
Holly Herndon - PROTO (May 10)
J-E-T-S - ZOOSPA (May 24)
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard - Fishing for Fishies (April 26)
Kishi Bashi - Omoiyari (May 31)
Local Natives - Violet Street (April 26)
Mac DeMarco - Here Comes the Cowboy (May 10)
Marissa Nadler & Stephen Brodsky - Droneflower (April 26)
Nick Murphy - Run Fast Sleep Naked (April 26)
Pip Blom - Boat (May 31)
Protomartyr - No Passion All Technique Reissue (May 3)
Soundwalk Collective with Patti Smith - The Peyote Dance (May 31)
Stef Chura - Midnight (June 7)
Zacari - Run Wild Run Free (out now)
Alvvays released a spectacular self-titled debut album in 2014. That album was anchored by "Marry Me, Archie", a song about trying to cajole a reluctant lover into marriage. The first single from their sophomore album takes on a nearly opposite sentiment, mourning the end of a relationship. There's growth in their follow-up, but without the loss infectious jangle that made Alvvays such a delight.
Deerhoof have a distinct sound, one they've displayed on studio albums already four times this decade. They're doing something a bit different for this fifth album, bringing in a number of featured artists. Collaborators range from Awkwafina, to Juana Molina, to Jenn Wasner.
The National are one of the most stylistically consistent bands in indie rock, but they've always maintained a timeliness that kept them from becoming boring. Things are no different on this latest record, their seventh, with some subtle and some not-so-subtle references to the current political environment.
African drummer Tony Allen has had a long and prosperous career, both as the drummer for Fela Kuti and as a solo artist. His latest album, and according to the artist himself, his best, is his first for famed jazz label Blue Note.
Okovi is the fifth album from this Wisconsin singer, long known for her goth pop sound and dark lyrics. The darkness continues on this latest record, written when the singer was back in hometown following a battle with depression. The result is an incredible album that has earned her some of her highest praise of her career.
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(40)/discogs-images/R-10378874-1505256612-7433.jpeg.jpg)
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-393177-1482925917-3481.jpeg.jpg)
