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 Tuesday - May 12, 2015

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

This week, I will begin to try out a new format for these posts. Writing up an increasing number of releases weekly has become a time-consuming and often unrewarding (for me) process. Starting this week, I will select a number of "essential releases" for each week and provide more detailed write-ups on those, then present the remaining albums and other releases without commentary. My aim is threefold; first, I would like to re-energize myself and my blog. The second goal is to make it clearer which artists and albums I feel are a little more worth your time. Finally, I just want to get caught up.

Essential Full-Length Releases

Crocodiles - Boys Crocodiles is a lo-fi and new wave band out of San Diego, California. The band's last album, Crimes of Passion, was released in 2013, but since then, frontman Brandon Welchez released a collaborative album with Dee Dee Penny of the Dum Dum Girls (his wife) as Haunted Hearts. Now the band is back with their fifth album. Watch: "Foolin’ Around" Watch: "Crybaby Demon"

Pfarmers - Gunnera Members of The National haven't been especially active in side projects, with the exception of Bryce Dessner, who has become known as a composer. Now, drummer Bryan Devendorf is branching out on his own as well. His new projects partners him with members of Menomena, and the backing bands for St. Vincent and Sufjan Stevens. Listen: "The Ol’ River Gang" Listen: "You Shall Know the Spirit"

Roísín Murphy - Hairless Toys Roísín Murphy took a long break after her last album, 2007's Overpowered. Though she began work on a new album seven years ago, and recorded many tracks, it wasn't until last year that fans got any new music from her, in the form of her 2014 EP Mi Senti. Watch: "Exploitation" Listen: "Evil Eyes"

Surfer Blood - 1000 Palms 2015 has been a bit of a tough year for Surfer Blood. While he helped on the recording of this latest album, guitarist Thomas Fekete was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. The band went forward with a supporting tour, and collected money for his treatment on the road. Some of that money, as well as equipment, was stolen while they were near Chicago. Despite these setbacks, the band continues to make great music. Watch: "I Can’t Explain" Listen: "Grand Inquisitor"

The Tallest Man on Earth - Dark Bird Is Home The Tallest Man on Earth is the stage name of Kristian Matsson, a Swedish musician of average height. I loved his sophomore album, The Wild Hunt, when it was released in 2010 and he's already released one incredible follow-up to that record. His fourth record promises to be just as amazing. Listen: "Sagres" Listen: "Dark Bird Is Home"

Other Full-Length Releases

Blanck Mass - Dumb Flesh Watch: "Dead Format" Listen: "Detritus"

Novella - Land Watch: "Land Gone" Listen: "Sentences"

Prurient - Frozen Niagara Falls Listen: "Dragonflies to Sew You Up" Listen: "Greenpoint"

Spirit Club - Spirit Club Watch: "Duster" Watch: "Still Life"

Tyondai Braxton - HIVE1 Listen: "Scout1" Listen: "Gracka"

Urban Cone - Polaroid Memories Watch: "Sadness Disease" Watch: "Come Back to Me" (featuring Tove Lo)

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

The 2 Bears - Bears in Space Listen: "(Space) Money Man" (featuring Stylo G) Listen: "The Night Is Slow"

Bishop Nehru - The Nehruvian EP Watch: "User$" Listen: "Bishy in Japan 16 (Knowing Nothing)"

Holy Ghost! - Work for Hire Listen: Hanni El Khatib - "Two Brothers" (Holy Ghost! Remix)

Jordan Bratton - YOUTH EP Watch: "Danger" (featuring Fabolous) Listen: "Bound"

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Quarters EP Listen: "God Is in the Rhythm" Listen: "The River"

Leonard Cohen - Can’t Forget: A Souvenir of the Grand Tour Live Listen: "Never Gave Nobody Trouble" Listen: "Choices"

Lil Silva - Drumatic Listen: "Drumatic"

Mates of State - Greats Listen: "Palomino" Listen: "For the Actor"

Nicolas Jaar - Nymphs II Listen: "No One Is Looking at U"

Noel Gallagher's High-Flying Birds - "Riverman" Watch: "Riverman"

Sylvan Esso - H.S.K.T. Remix EP Watch: "H.S.K.T." Listen: "H.S.K.T." (Hercules & Love Affair Remix)