New Music Friday - January 13, 2017

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Flo Morrissey & Matthew E. White - Gentlewoman, Ruby Man Flo Morrissey is a young British singer with one album under her belt and Matthew E. White is an American singer and producer with just two solo records, but scores of collaborations and production work. Morrissey's and White's collaborative album is a collection of covers, with songs originally performed by Frank Ocean, Little Wings, and Frankie Valli. Listen: "Grease" Listen: "Look at What the Light Did Now"

Run the Jewels - RTJ3 Killer Mike and El-P are always welcome voices to hear, but the release of their third records is perfectly timed. With just one week until the inauguration of a new president, their angry, direct, and fiercely political music provides a needed response to both the real and feared social landscape. There will be many voices of opposition over the next four years, but few will be as unapologetically brash as those of Run of Jewels. Listen: "Legend Has It" Listen: "Down" (featuring Joi)

The xx - I See You The xx suffered one of the common sophomore curses with the release of 2012's Coexist; they'd released an album too similar to their debut. In the five years since that album, one of the group members, Jamie xx, released a celebrated solo record, one that informed the sound of his group's third album. While still identifiable as a The xx record, the sound is more expansive with the style of In Colour taking the band into a new direction. Watch: "On Hold" Listen: "Say Something Loving"

Other Full-Length Releases

Bonobo - Migration Watch: "Kerala" Listen: "No Reason" (featuring Nick Murphy)

The Flaming Lips - Oczy Mlody Watch: "How??" Watch: "Sunrise (Eyes of the Young)"

PnB Rock - Goin’ Through the Motions Watch: "Alone" Watch: "Selfish"

Sohn - Rennen Watch: "Hard Liquor" Watch: "Conrad"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

Foxing - Two

Mr. Tophat - Trust Me Listen: "Right Time" (featuring Robyn) Listen: "Trust Me" (featuring Robyn)

Nirvana - Incesticide Listen: "Dive" Listen: "Sliver"

of Montreal - Rune Husk EP Listen: "Internecine Larks" Listen: "Widowsucking"

Upcoming Album of the Week (Ending November 12)

This has been a tough week for me, to say the least. It was a week where at least one thing needed to go right, but instead, Donald Trump won the presidency, and a mistrial was declared in the Sam Dubose case. To top it all off, we lost of our greatest artists with the passing of Leonard Cohen. I find the need to take solace in the things that I love, and one of those is music. There are some new music bright spots to come in the ensuing months and a lot of things to listen to while trying to escape the realities of the world, check some of that out over at my Upcoming Releases page.

It was a somewhat slow week for music news, but there were a few exciting new album announcements, including The xx, who announced their third album, I See You.

stereogum.com

The xx got started in 2005 and released their debut self-titled album in 2009. The album was a critical and commercial success and helped in part to herald in a new style of dreamy electronic pop. They followed that record up in 2012 with Coexist, which continued their successes.

The three members of the band spent the past four years on various solo projects and collaborations. Romy Croft worked with Emile Haynie, Jessie Ware, and OneRepublic. Oliver Sim did some work with Solange. Jamie xx was perhaps the most active of the three, releasing a solo album, In Colour, last year.

After releasing a few snippets of new tracks, The xx announced their new album on Thursday, and released a new track, "On Hold."

I See You will be released on January 13.

Also announced this week:

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard - Flying Microtonal Banana (February 24)
Los Campesinos! - Sick Scenes (February 24)
MUNA - About U (February 3)
Vaults - Caught in Still Life (December 2)

New Music Tuesday - November 12, 2013

New Full-Length Releases

Cate Le Bon - Mug Museum Cate Le Bon is a Welsh singer-songwriter who's become noted for her dark lyrics and voice, which has garnered comparisons to Nico. Mug Museum is her third full-length album. Now, I haven't been previously familiar with Cate's music, but she recorded one of the songs on this album with a favorite artist of mine. "I Think I Knew" features Perfume Genius. I listened to and liked that song, so I knew I needed to check out her work. Listen/Watch: "Are You with Me Now"

Other New Releases

Andrew Bird - I Want to See Pulaski at Night EP Folk singer Andrew Bird keeps himself very busy. He seems to be constantly touring, but finds a way to put out many releases. In 2012, he managed to put out two albums and two EPs. This year has been comparatively quiet for him, but, late in the year, we are getting a short release of new material! Listen: "Pulaski at Night"

The Beatles - On Air - Live at the BBC Volume 2 From 1963 to 1965, The Beatles conducted a series of performances for the BBC Light Programme. In 1994, a collection of recordings from those sessions was released, which included songs and dialog. Volume 2 is intended as a rerelease of that 1994 compilation, but also includes previously unreleased material from those programs. Listen: "You Can't Do That"

David Lynch - "Bad the John Boy"/"The Big Dream" (Venetian Snares Remix) Director and musician David Lynch released his latest album, The Big Dream, in July of this year. "Bad the John Boy" is a B-side from the album's recording sessions. Included with the single is a remixed version of a song from that album. Listen: "Bad the John Boy"

Flume - Flume Deluxe Reissue Flume is a young producer who released a self-titled solo album last year. I wasn't previously familiar with his work, but heard a song featuring Autre Ne Veut and decided to check him out. The deluxe version of his album features some new tracks as well as remixed versions of some of the original songs. Listen/Watch: "Insane"

Grizzly Bear - Shields Expanded Grizzly Bear released Shields last year and it became one of my favorites of that year. Well, here is the (now, apparently) requisite deluxe edition. It features some demos from the band, as well as remixes and bonus tracks. Listen/Watch: "gun-shy"

The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Miami Pop Festival The Jimi Hendrix Experience performed at the Miami Pop Festival way back in May of 1968. A documentary, titled Hear My Train A Comin, was recently released and the release of this live album is in conjunction with that. Listen/Watch: "Foxey Lady"

Mount Eerie - Pre-Human Ideas Mount Eerie is the project of musician Phil Elverum. His latest release consists of previously-released songs that have been re-recorded using MIDI instruments and auto-tune. Listen: "House Shape"

Nat Baldwin - Dome Branches: The MVP Demos Dirty Projectors have kept Nat Baldwin busy lately (he is the bassist for that band). He has worked as a solo artist as well, though, most recently (before this, of course) releasing People Changes. This release consists of demos from his debut record, Most Valuable Player. Listen: "Look She Said"

Sampha - "Too Much"/"Happens" Sampha built his name as a guest vocalist for other artists, most notably, SBTRKT. He has been releasing a series and EPs and singles this year, though. He continues his move towards his own career with this latest single, a reworking of a song that he originally did with rapper Drake. Listen/Watch: "Happens"

Saint Heron Solange Knowles (also known as Beyoncé's little sister) recently started her own record label, Saint. She's developed a unique style that often incorporates many elements of indie music. While the songs on this record are mostly pre-recorded, it provides a good look at the music that she loves and that may be featured with her label. Listen: Solange - "Cash In"

Stornoway - You Don't Know Anything EP Stornoway is an indie folk band out of England who released an amazing debut album, Beachcomber's Windowsill, in 2010. I loved the band's music, but only found out about the release of their sophomore album a few months after its released. I was more on top of this one, though; I don't want these guys off my radar! Listen/Watch: "Farewell Appalachia"

The xx - HVNXX EP The xx have put out two albums and countless singles and EPs since they banded in 2005. Their latest EP consists of remixes of four of their previous songs. Listen: "Fiction" (Marc Pinol Remix)

New Music Tuesday - October 29, 2013

New Full-Length Releases

Arcade Fire - Reflektor Arcade Fire arguably became the biggest indie rock act after their last album, The Suburbs, won Album of the Year at the Grammys in 2011. They'd been critical successes from the beginning, the but album helped to make them commercial hits as well. Though they'd released two full-length records prior, this may be their biggest challenge, as they're following up a highly-successful record. Thankfully, they haven't strayed from the epic sound that has served them well in the past. Listen/Watch: "Reflektor"

Diane Coffee - My Friend Fish Diane Coffee is the moniker for Shaun Fleming, drummer for the band Foxygen. It still amazes me how quickly we are seeing solo albums from the members of that band so soon after their own debut album. Still, I always enjoy hearing what individual band members do on their own; it can provide an interesting look at how their sound plays into the band's sound and what they can do on their own. Listen/Watch: "Green"

Los Campesinos! - No Blues No Blues is this Welsh band's fifth studio album, which sees them continuing to advance and mature their sound. While I liked the twee sound of their debut album, Hold on Now, Youngster..., I tired of it and they didn't seem to waver much from it even three years later, when they released their fourth album, Hello Sadness. This might be the biggest jump forward for them and I'm interested again! Listen/Watch: "Avocado, Baby"

Moonface - Julia with Blue Jeans On Wolf Parade (the former band of Moonface's Spencer Krug) broke up two years ago, which was a travesty for me... they were one of my favorite bands. Dan Boeckner went on to form Divine Fits with Britt Daniel and Moonface is Krug's post-Wolf Parade project. This is his third album with the project following last year's excellent With Siinai: Heartbreaking Bravery. Each former member of Wolf Parade has made unique music following the dissolution, and it's all been great! Listen/Watch: "Barbarian"

Sky Ferreira - Night Time, My Time Sky Ferreira is a young pop singer who began gaining critical acclaim following the release of her first EPs, As If! and Ghost. It took some time for her first full-length (hint: it's this album) to be released. She struggled a bit with major labels who wanted to turn her into a more typical pop star. Thankfully, Capitol has allowed her to be herself more. Maybe, she can start to change the course of modern pop music. Listen/Watch: "You're Not the One"

Son Lux - Lanterns Son Lux's music is an interesting mix of post-rock and hip hop. He upped the ante even more last year by releasing an EP under the name S / S / S with Serengeti and Sufjan Stevens. The three have very different sounds, so the combination was even more interesting. I started checking Son Lux out more following that release, this is his third full-length. Listen/Watch: "Lost It to Trying"

Upset - She's Gone Ali Koehler was the drummer for the band Best Coast until 2011, when she left the band under what she claimed was not her own decision. Bethany Consentino (Best Coast's lead singer) claimed her departure was much more amicable. Whatever the reason for that split, she is back with a new project, Upset, with Patty Schemel and Jenn Prince. The sound is similar to her past projects, Vivian Girls and, of course, Best Coast. Listen/Watch: "You and I"

White Denim - Corsicana Lemonade I've heard the White Denim name around the past couple of years, but only decided to check them out when they announced the release of this latest album earlier this year. I checked out the early single "Pretty Green" and was immediately impressed by their sound. It felt, to be, like a more psychedelic version of The Black Keys. Loving this album, now it's time to check out their back catalog! Listen/Watch: "Pretty Green"

Other New Releases

Baio - Mira EP Baio is the mononym for Vampire Weekend's bassist, Chris Baio. He's been active as a member of that band since its inception in 2006, but began releasing solo material last year. In sharp contrast to his main band's African-tinged indie rock, his music is electronic. Listen/Watch: "Mira"

Death Cab for Cutie - Transatlanticisms Reissue Transatlanticisms was Death Cab for Cutie's fourth album released in 2003. It became their first charting record at 97 (later releases would reach the top 10). It has been ten years since that breakthrough release and, of course, time for an anniversary release. This includes a remastered version of the original album and a disc of demos. Listen: "The New Year" (Demo)

Foals - Holy Fire: Live at Royal Albert Hall Foals released an excellent third album, Holy Fire, earlier this year. On March 28, they performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England. This, along with a DVD, is the official release of that show. Listen: "Late Night"

Mount Kimbie - CSFLY Remixes EP Mount Kimbie released their sophomore album, Cold Spring Fault Less Youth, earlier this year. This EP features various remixes of two of the songs from that album by producers such as Lee Gamble, Oneman and Kyle Hall. Listen: "You Took Your Time" (Kyle Hall remix)

Music from and Inspired by Dallas Buyers Club Dallas Buyers Club is an upcoming film starring Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto (and I can't wait to see it). The film's soundtrack features songs from Portugal. The Man, My Morning Jacket, and Tegan and Sara. Listen: Tegan & Sara - "Shudder to Think"

Phosphorescent - Muchachos de Lujo Though I wasn't yet into Matthew Houck's music when he released his latest album earlier this year, once I heard it, it quickly became one of my favorites of the year. The record is already getting its deluxe edition, which includes tracks recorded live at the St. Pancras Church. Listen: "Terror In The Canyons (The Wounded Master) (Live at St. Pancras Church)"

The xx/Sampha - "Reconsider"/"Without" The indie label Young Turks has been releasing a series of split 7" singles throughout 2013. Each has been available in limited edition quantities.The latest brings together The xx and Sampha. Listen: The xx - "Reconsider"