New Music Friday - September 27, 2019

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Emel Mathlouthi - Everywhere We Looked Was Burning Everywhere We Looked Was Burning is the third album from the Tunisian artist. Mathlouthi spent time in Woodstock to write this album, which is inspired both by nature and the current state of the world. Watch: "Footsteps" Watch: "Rescuer"

The New Pornographers - In the Morse Code of Brake Lights This is the eighth album from the incredible (mostly) Canadian indie supergroup, following 2017's Whiteout Conditions. Having sat out for that album, Dan Bejar is unfortunately still not back for this outing. Neko Case is here, though, and that's all I really need in life! Watch: "The Surprise Knock" Watch: "Falling Down the Stairs of Your Smile"

Tegan and Sara - Hey, I’m Just Like You While this the latest record from the twin artists, the songs are some of their oldest, mostly written and demoed when the pair were teenagers. Having delved into a poppier sound on recent records, this one brings them closer to their rock beginnings. Watch: "I’ll Be Back Someday" Watch: "Hey, I’m Just Like You"

Trentemøller - Obverse This new album from the Danish producer follows 2016's Fixion. He brings in some vocal help from the likes of Lina Tullgren, Lisbet Fritze, Rachel Goswell, and jennylee. Watch: "In the Garden" Watch: "Blue September"

Other Full-Length Releases

DaBaby - KIRK Watch: "Intro" Listen: "iPHONE" (featuring Nicki Minaj)

Girl Band - The Talkies Watch: "Shoulderblades" Watch: "Going Norway"

Michaela Anne - Desert Love Watch: "By Our Design" Listen: "Child of the Wind"

Sturgill Simpson - Sound & Fury Watch: "Sing Along" Listen: "Make Art Not Friends"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

The Beatles - Abbey Road 50 Watch: "Here Comes the Sun" (2019 Mix) Listen: "Come Together" (2019 Mix)

Dinosaur Jr. - Green Mind Reissue Listen: "The Wagon" Listen: "Green Mind"

Dinosaur Jr. - Hand It Over Reissue Listen: "Never Bought It" Listen: "I’m Insane"

Dinosaur Jr. - Where You Been Reissue Listen: "Out There" Listen: "Start Choppin'"

Dinosaur Jr. - Without a Sound Reissue Listen: "On the Brink" Listen: "Feel the Pain"

Judy (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Listen: Renée Zellweger - "Get Happy" (featuring Sam Smith) Listen: "For Once in My Life"

Noel Gallagher’s High-Flying Birds - This Is the Place Watch: "This Is the Place" Watch: "Sail On"

The Roots - Things Fall Apart Reissue Listen: "Ain’t Sayin’ Nothin’ New" Listen: "Dynamite!"

Sporting Life - Black Diamond Watch: "Crux" (featuring Mike, & Wiki) Listen: "Black Diamond" (featuring Deem Spencer)

Wild Nothing - Live from Brooklyn Steel Watch: "Canyon on Fire" Listen: "Live in Dreams"

Upcoming Album of the Week (Ending August 3, 2019)

I must issue a correction on my post from a couple of weeks ago, I mistakenly referred to Brandi Carlile's new all female country supergroup as The Highwaywomen... that's a different band (also an all-female country group). The new group consisting of Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Amanda Shires, and Natalie Hemby is The Highwomen.

They still have their debut album together set to come out in a few weeks, check it out over at my Upcoming Releases page!

This week, The New Pornographers announced their eighth album, In the Morse Code of Brake Lights.

pitchfork.com

The indie rock supergroup has been a consistent presence, releasing new albums every two to three years. Their most recent, Whiteout Conditions, was released in 2017. I've seen no mention yet of whether Dan Bejar will return on this record after sitting out the 2017 album.

In the Morse Code of Brake Lights was announced yesterday along with lead single "Falling Down the Stairs of Your Smile." The album will be released on September 27.

Also announced recently:

Allah Lahs - LAHS (October 11)
Angel Olsen - All Mirrors (October 4)
Ariel Pink & Royal Trux - Pink Stuff (September 6)
Black Marble - Bigger Than Life (October 25)
Carla dal Forno - Look Up Sharp (October 4)
Common Holly - When I say to you Black Lightning (October 11)
Dave Monks - On a Wave (October 18)
Death Cab for Cutie - Blue EP (September 6)
Destiny’s Child - The Writing’s on the Wall Vinyl Reissue (November 1)
Devon Welsh - True Love (October 11)
DIIV - Deceiver (October 4)
Foals - Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost - Vol. 2 (October 18)
Four Tet - Live at Alexandra Palace, London 8th and 9th May 2019 (out now)
Girl Ray - Girl (November 8)
Jason Lytle - Arthur King Presents Jason Lytle: NYLONANDJUNO (August 16)
Jidenna - 85 to Africa (August 23)
The Kinks - Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) Box Set (October 25)
Lana Del Rey - Norman Fucking Rockwell (August 30)
Mikal Cronin - Seeker (October 25)
Molly Sarlé - Karaoke Angel (September 20)
Prince - Chaos and Disorder Reissue (September 13)
Prince - Emancipation Reissue (September 13)
Prince - The VERSACE Experience (PRELUDE 2 GOLD) Reissue (September 13)
Robbie Robertson - Sinematic (September 20)
Third Eye Blind - Screamer (October 18)
Thom Yorke - Not the News Rmx (out now)
Tove Lo - Bad as the Boys (September 20)
Warmduscher - Tainted Lunch (November 1)

New Music Friday - April 7, 2017

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Alexandra Savior - Belladonna of Sadness Alexandra Savior is a young singer from Portland who's become a bit of a protegé of The Arctic Monkeys' Alex Turner. She co-wrote a track on The Last Shadow Puppets album last year and Turner, in turn (heh), contributed writing to this debut from Savior. She draws inspiration from a variety of sources, ranging from Otis Redding to Adele, and has even found inspiration in Terry Gilliam's films. Watch: "Mystery Girl" Watch: "M.T.M.E."

Arca - Arca This self-titled album is the third album overall for this Venezuelan artist. His first two albums focused on his production, this record is the first to feature his vocals, presented entirely in his native language and entirely improvised. He had not initially intended to sing on the record, the suggestion came from Björk (a friend and collaborator of Arca's). The shift has paid off for the artist, earning an already-praised musician some of the best reviews of his career. Watch: "Reverie" Watch: "Anoche"

Future Islands - The Far Field Thanks in no small part to frontman's Samuel Herring's unique dance moves, Future Islands had a big 2014 with their fourth album, Singles. Despite following up that album, aspects of this release are more closely tied to their third album, In Evening Air. Both albums share a cover artist (Kymia Nawabi) and source of inspiration for the title (the poems of Theodore Roethke). Still, the album sees the band reaching for ever greater heights. Watch: "Ran" Watch: "Cave"

Karen Elson - Double Roses It's been a little while since we've last heard from Elson, at least on the music front. The model and musician released her first album, The Ghost Who Walks, in 2010,  but has been more active in the fashion world since. She has released one-off singles, often for the Record Store Days, and done some touring. She started working on her second album in 2015. The album features an impressive set of guests, including fellow Brit Laura Marling, Father John Misty, and Patrick Carney of The Black Keys. Watch: "Call Your Name" Listen: "Distant Shore"

The New Pornographers - Whiteout Conditions I don't think I will ever stop loving The New Pornographers. The indie supergroup has released seven albums, each as amazing as the last. I was a little worried about this album before it was released. The band announced that member Dan Bejar (who is also a member of Destroyer and Swan Lake) would not be appearing on the record. His voice is one of my favorites of the group, but the group doesn't suffer in his absence; of course, Neko Case cures all ills. This is another great album from the band! Watch: "High Ticket Attractions" Listen: "This Is the World of the Theatre"

Other Full-Length Releases

Cold War Kids - L.A. Divine Watch: "Love Is Mystical" Watch: "Can We Hang On?"

Diet Cig - Swear I’m Good at This Watch: "Tummy Ache" Listen: "Barf Day"

Father John Misty - Pure Comedy Watch: "Ballad of the Dying Man" Watch: "Two Wildly Different Perspectives"

Guided By Voices - August By Cake Watch: "5° Degrees on the Inside" Listen: "Dr. Feelgood Falls off the Ocean"

Joey Bada$$ - ALL-AMERIKKAN BADA$$ Watch: "Land of the Free" Listen: "Rockabye Baby" (featuring ScHoolboy Q)

San Fermin - Belong Watch: "Belong" Watch: "No Promises"

Those Lavender Whales - My Bones Are Singing Listen: "Lose My Mind"

Timber Timbre - Sincerely, Future Pollution Watch: "Sewer Blues" Watch: "Grifting"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

LAMC #17 Listen: Damaged Bug - "Rubber Lips" Listen: Black Pus - "High Tide"

Njomza - sad for you Watch: "Intro" Listen: "Hear Me"

Resistance Radio: The Man in the High Castle Listen: Angel Olsen - "Who’s Sorry Now" Listen: Sharon Van Etten - "The End of the World"

Yumi Zouma - (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? Listen: "Champagne Supernova"

Upcoming Album of the Week (Ending January 28)

There's a feeling of unease among many musicians around the promotion of new music considering our current political environment. Some are combatting that feeling by also releasing protest music. There are multiple ongoing projects underway that seek to respond to the Trump presidency and fight against it, as well as many artists who are donating portions of their album sales to charity. I will post my own list of these undertakings soon, but as always, my most anticipated new music can be viewed on my Upcoming Releases page.

This was a busy week, but one new album announcement that I'm especially looking forward to came from The New Pornographers, who announced their seventh album, Whiteout Conditions.

pitchfork.com

The New Pornographers were one of the first bands that could be considered an indie rock supergroup, and certainly the most prolific. The band is made up of an incredible slew of musicians who also all have amazing solo careers, including Kathryn Calder, A.C. Newman, Dan Bejar, Neko Case, and Todd Fancey (who released a new solo album just this week).

Their most recent record, Brill Bruisers, was released August of 2014. They seem to have wasted no time on the new record, despite new solo records from four members. Whiteout Conditions was announced on Friday, along with a new song, "High Ticket Attractions."

Whiteout Conditions is set to be released on April 7.

Also announced this week:

ANOHNI - Paradise EP (March 17)
City and Colour - “Peaceful Road”/“Rain” (March 3)
Father John Misty - Pure Comedy (April 7)
Fleetwood Mac - Tango in the Night Reissue (March 30)
Geotic - Abysma (March 31)
Goldfrapp - Silver Eye (March 31)
Guided By Voices - August By Cake (April 7)
Jacques Greene - Feel Infinite (March 10)
Jarvis Cocker & Chilly Gonzales - Room 29 (March 17)
Joe Goddard - Electric Lines (April 21)
Karriem Riggins - Headnod Suite (February 24)
Major Lazer - “Run Up” (out now)
Mastodon - Emperor of Sand (March 31)
Mew - Visuals (April 28)
Mount Eerie - A Crow Looked at Me (March 24)
No Joy - CREEP EP (February 24)
Omni - “Fever Bass”/“Thesis” (February 28)
PINS - Bad Thing EP (March 24)
Pond - The Weather (May 5)
Ray Davies - Americana (April 21)
Real Estate - In Mind (March 17)
Ronald Bruner, Jr. - Triumph (March 3)
SZA - CTRL (February 3)
Tei Shi - Crawl Space (March 31)
Thundercat - Drunk (February 24)

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)"