New Music Friday - September 8, 2017

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Alvvays - Antisocialites 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. Watch: "In Undertow" Watch: "Plimsoll Punks"

Deerhoof - Mountain Moves 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. Watch: "I Will Spite Survive" (featuring Jenn Wasner)  Listen: "Come Down Here and Say That" (featuring Laetitia Sadler)

The National - Sleep Well Beast 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. Watch: "Day I Die" Watch: "Carin at the Liquor Store"

Tony Allen - The Source 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. Listen: "Push and Pull" Listen: "On Fire"

Zola Jesus - Okovi 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. Watch: "Exhumed" Watch: "Soak"

Other Full-Length Releases

Alex Cameron - Forced Witness Watch: "Candy May" Watch: "Runnin’ Out of Luck"

Carmen Villain - Infinite Avenue Watch: "Red Desert" Listen: "Borders" (featuring Jenny Hval)

Death from Above - Outage! Is Now Watch: "Never Swim Alone" Watch: "Freeze Me"

Faith Healer - Try ;) Watch: "Try" Listen: "Light of Loving"

Julie & The Wrong Guys - Julie & The Wrong Guys Watch: "You Wanted What I Wanted" Listen: "Love & Leaving"

Lomelda - Thx Listen: "From Here" Listen: "Interstate Vision"

Lunice - CCCLX Watch: "Mazerati" Watch: "Distrust" (featuring Denzel Curry, JK The Reaper, & Nell)

Mount Kimbie - Love What Survives Watch: "Delta" Watch: "Blue Train Lines"

MuteMath - Play Dead Watch: "Break the Fever" Watch: "War"

Nosaj Thing - Parallels Watch: "U G" Listen: "All Points Back to U" (featuring Steve Spacek)

Partner - In Search of Lost Time Watch: "Play the Field" Listen: "Gross Secret"

Small Circle - Cyclical Listen: "Mornings" Listen: "Spinning"

Sparks - Hippopotamus Watch: "Edith Piaf (Said It Better Than Me)" Watch: "What the Hell Is It This Time?"

Susanne Sundfør - Music for People in Trouble Listen: "Mountaineers" (featuring John Grant) Listen: "No One Believes in Love Anymore"

Ted Leo - The Hanged Man Watch: "Can’t Go Back" Listen: "You’re Like Me"

Tori Amos - Native Invader Watch: "Reindeer King" Watch: "Cloud Riders"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

Animal Collective - Sung Tongs Vinyl Reissue Listen: "Leaf House" Listen: "Winter’s Love"

David Bowie - The 1980 Floorshow Listen: "Jean Genie" Listen: "Time"

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Up from Below Vinyl Reissue Watch: "Home" Listen: "Janglin"

Jimi Hendrix - Experience Hendrix: The Best of Jimi Hendrix Vinyl Reissue Listen: "Hey Joe" Listen: "Fire"

Mas Ysa - Untitled Listen: "Face" Listen: "Mapquest"

Mazzy Star - So Tonight That I Might See Vinyl Reissue Watch: "Fade Into You" Listen: "So Tonight That I Might See"

Mourn - Over the Wall Listen: "Color Me Impressed" Listen: "Over the Wall"

Nico - Behind the Iron Curtain Reissue Listen: "Procession" Listen: "All Saints Night from a Polish Motorway"

Syd - Always Never Home Listen: "Moving Mountains" Listen: "On the Road"

Twin Peaks (Music from the Limited Event Series)

Zomby - GASP! Listen: "GASP!" Listen: "ZKITTLEZ"

New Album Tuesday - February 10, 2015

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

New Full-Length Albums

Caught on Tape - Full Bleed Former Sonic Youth frontman Thurston More engages in some freak-out noise rock improvisational sessions with John Moloney (who he collaborated with as Chelsea Light Moving). It follows his 2014 solo album and the album with Chelsea Light Moving released the year before. Listen: "Full Bleed" Listen: "Age Limit"

Death Grips - The Power That B This should, theoretically, be the last release from Death Grips, who "broke up" last year (though this is their second release this year). The new album completes a double album project, the first half of which, Niggas on the Moon, was released in June of last year. Technically, its companion record, Jenny Death, has not yet been released, but presumably those tracks are featured here. Watch: "Inanimate Sensation" Listen: "Up My Sleeves"

The Dø - Shake Shook Shaken The Dø is a French/Finnish indie pop group with a fairly obvious nod towards Björk's unique brand of pop. I found out about them following a feature of lead singer, Olivia Merilahti, in Lucky magazine. I didn't know anything about them, but was intrigued by the magazine's description of their music. I've loved them ever since. Shake Shook Shaken is their third album. Watch: "Despair, Hangover & Ecstasy" Listen: "Miracles (Back in Time)"

Father John Misty - I Love You, Honeybear Father John Misty, real name Josh Tillman, continues his swaggering indie folk persona on his second album under the newer name. The album is a concept record about himself; it deals with his personal life, regretted behaviors, and his relationship with his wife. Watch: "Chateau Lobby #4 (in C for Two Virgins)" Listen: "Bored in the USA"

Jefre Cantu-Ledesma - A Year with 13 Moons Jefre Cantu-Ledesma is a multi-instrumentalist and record label owner who has been involved with a number of bands during his career. He has also worked with many other artists in the drone and ambient community, including Grouper and Oneohtrix Point Never. Cantu-Ledesma is extremely prolific and A Year with 13 Moons follows a long string of both solo and collaborative work. Watch: "Pale Flower" Watch: "Love After Love"

Rhiannon Giddens - Tomorrow Is My Turn Rhiannon Giddens made a name for herself as a member of the Grammy-winning Americana group, the Carolina Chocolate Drops. She was also the sole female member of The New Basement Tapes, who released an album of songs based off of unrecorded Bob Dylan lyrics last year. She is following that up with her first solo album, which consists of songs previously made famous by other female artists. Listen: "Black Is the Color" Listen: "Shake Sugaree"

Rone - Creatures Rone is a French electronic musician with three studio albums and six EPs under his belt. In 2013, he collaborated with The National on their album Trouble Will Find Me, providing electronic instrumentation. He gets some help in return for his latest album; one of the band's twin guitarists, Brian Dessner, features on a track. Listen: "Elle" (featuring Brian Dessner) Listen: "Ouija"

William Ryan Fritch - Revisionist William Ryan Fritch is one of an increasing number of musicians affiliated in some way with Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver). He played with Volcano Choir member Jon Mueller in Death Blues. This is his sixth studio album. Watch: "Thankless Deeds" Watch: "Still" (featuring Esmé Patterson)

Other New Releases

St. Vincent - St. Vincent Deluxe Edition St. Vincent released one of, if not the best album last year, and won her first Grammy earlier this year for it! The album is getting the reissue treatment this year, with the two songs she released for Black Friday Record Store Day, along with a few other new tracks, added to the record. Listen: "Bad Believer" Listen: "Pieta"

The Twilight Sad - "I Could Give You All That You Don’t Want" The Twilight Sad released the long-winded Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leave in October of last year. The second longest song (title-wise) after the title track is getting released as a single this year, backed with a much shorter new song from the Scottish band. Watch: "I Could Give You All That You Don’t Want" Listen: "The Airport"

Zola Jesus - "Hunger"/"Compass" Zola Jesus also released her latest album in October of last year. Her newest single release comes with a brand new song of her own. Watch: "Hunger" Listen: "Compass"

New Music Tuesday - October 7, 2014

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

New Full-Length Releases

Caribou - Our Love Our Love is the return to the Caribou name for Dan Snaith, whose previous release under the name, Swim, came out in 2010. That's not the last he album he had put out, though; in 2012, he released Jiaolong under the name Daphne. His latest record, which contains R&B and hip-hop influences, features Jessy Lanza, and Owen Pallett (who seems to be showing up on a lot of records lately). Snaith says that this is his most personal album yet, partially inspired by the birth of his daughter. Watch: "Our Love" Listen: "Silver"

Ex Hex - Rips Ex Hex is led by Mary Timony, a punk/indie rock musician, who first started to make a name for herself as a member of the band Helium. That band separated in 1998, and Mary went on to a variety of other projects, including recording under her own name. In 2010, she joined up with other female 90s rockers, including Carrie Brownstein, to form Wild Flag. They released one album before disbanding last year. This is her first album with this new project, which takes its name from one of her solo records. Watch: "Hot and Cold" Watch: "Waterfall"

Field Report - Marigolden Field Report is a Milwaukee-based folk band, whose names is an anagram of lead Chris Porterfield's surname and this is their second album. Previously, Porterfield was a member, with Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, of DeYarmond Edison before Bon Iver became BON IVER. Outside of DeYarmond Edison, Porterfield he has received much critical acclaim for his work, though not at the level of his former bandmate. Watch: "Home (Leave the Lights On)" Watch: "Wings"

Flying Lotus - You're Dead This is the fifth studio record from Steven Ellison, who's been an active artist since 2006, first achieving attention for 2010's Cosmogramma, which was followed up by the even more amazing Until the Quiet Comes, in 2012. His latest was inspired by recent losses in his life, including former collaborators, friends, inspirations, and family members. The album boasts contributions from Kendrick Lamar, Angel Deradoorian (formerly of Dirty Projectors), and Snoop Lion. Watch: "Never Catch Me" Watch: "Ready Err Not"

Gorgon City - Sirens Gorgon City is the production duo of Foamo and RackNRuin, both from London, England. Their debut album follows a number of collaborative singles, including "There Is No Other Time" with the Klaxons. The album features guest vocals from Jennifer Hudson, Katy B, and Laura Welsh, as well as writing from Kiesza and Emeli Sandé. Watch: "Unmissable" Watch: "Here for You"

Iceage - Plowing into the Field of Love Iceage is a Danish band started by a bunch of teenagers in 2008. But don't let their ages fool you, they make post-hardcore impressive enough to rival some of the most seminal acts of that genre. They're making quick work of their careers, already releasing their third album in three years. The album, which is their first on Matador Records, follows up last year's You're Nothing. Watch: "Glassy Eyed, Dormant and Veiled" Watch: "The Lord's Favorite"

Johnny Marr - Playland It took guitarist Johnny Marr a long time to get around to releasing solo albums, but he released his debut album, The Messenger, early last year. He has wasted no time at all in releasing the follow-up, though results are still fairly middling. Seems, though, that he was excited about his sophomore album, speaking of how he always prefers bands' second albums to Rolling Stone magazine. And, granted, this is a better music than his first record, but it's still not coming close to what he's done in past projects Watch: "Easy Money" Listen: "This Tension"

NehruvianDOOM - NehruvianDOOM NehruvianDOOM is a new collaboration between young (as in still a teenager) American rapper Bishop Nehru and well-established (in his 40s) British rapper, MF DOOM. They got together after Nehru opened for MF DOOM and Ghostface at the 100 Club in London; obviously, he made an impression. The young rapper is still feeling things out, but getting attention and the opportunity to work with more established players, so I think he'll have a pretty good career. Watch: "Darkness" Listen: "OM"

Peaking Lights - Cosmic Logic Peaking Lights is a husband and wife duo, made up of Aaron Coyes and Indra Dunis. The couple met in 2006 and formed the band in 2008. This is their fourth album, following up 2012's well-received Lucifer. The album is intended to be a play on pop music, the duo have described it as "fucked modern pop." Watch: "Breakdown" Listen: "Eyes to the Sea"

Philip Selway - Weatherhouse Thom Yorke is not the only member of Radiohead known for his solo work; this is the second solo album from the band's drummer Philip Selway. Radiohead has been taking the year off from recording, but we've seen solo output from nearly all members of the band. Selway's own solo work leans towards the art rock side of things. Watch: "It Will End in Tears" Watch: "Coming up for Air"

Steve Gunn - Way Out Weather Steve Gunn is the former guitarist of Kurt Vile's backing band, The Violators. As a solo artist, though, he has released ten albums, including several collaborative releases; this is his third just this year. This latest is a more fully realized effort from the artist, featuring a full band, and a fuller sound compared to his past work. Watch: "Way Out Weather" Listen: "Milly's Garden"

Stevie Nicks - 24 Karat Gold: Songs from the Vault Stevie Nick is probably best known as frontwoman for Fleetwood Mac, but has been performing as a solo artist since 1981. Her newest album consists of rerecorded demos, originally produced between 1969 and 1987, and 1994 to 1995. There is one newer song on the record, a cover of Vanessa Carlton's "Carousel." Watch: "Lady" Watch: "24 Karat Gold"

Tinashe - Aquarius Tinashe is a young American singer born to a Swedish mother and Zimbabwean father. Her debut album is sporting some impressive guests in the likes of  Dev Hynes, SchoolBoy Q, A$AP Rocky, and Future. She started her singing career as a member of the Vitamin C-formed group The Stunners, which she departed three years ago to began her solo career. So far, she has released three well-received mixtapes, which garnered her comparisons to Aaliyah, Mya, and The Weeknd. Watch: "Pretend" (featuring A$AP Rocky) Watch: "2 On" (featuring SchoolBoy Q)

Weezer - Everything Will Be Alright in the End Weezer was everyone's favorite band in the '90s with two classic albums, Weezer (The Blue Album) and Pinkerton. Much of their later work, however, disappointed fans, with many feeling they were trying to appeal to the broadest potential fan base (well, that's how I felt, at least). They had a one-two-three punch of ill-received records in the late 2000s, but there's been a four year gap since their last, Hurley. This seems to be a bit better; not quite to the level their earlier work, but perhaps on par with Maladroit or Weezer (The Green Album). Watch: "Back to the Shack" Listen: "The British Are Coming"

White Laces - Trance White Laces are Richmond, Virginia-based band, who have opened for War on Drugs. They recorded their sophomore album back in December with Jeff Ziegler, who has also produced for Purling Hiss and Kurt Vile. However, they didn't have a label at the time, and weren't sure of how or when they were going to put out the record. They fortunately got signed to Happenin' Records in the interim and seeing the album get a release. Listen: "Cruisin'" Listen: "Nothing Clicks"

Zola Jesus - Taiga This is fifth studio album from the Russian-American goth pop singer, and the first for her new label Mute. It follows last year's Versions, which consisted of reworkings of older music with a full orchestra. The title of this album comes from Russian word for a type of forest. Watch: "Dangerous Days" Listen: "Go (Blank Sea)"

Other New Releases

Belle & Sebastian - It Could Have Been a Brilliant Career Reissues Belle & Sebastian are a Scottish band with a career spanning back 18 years. They will be releasing their ninth album, Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance, early next year. But first, they are reissuing their previous eight albums into a new box set. Listen: "Seymour Stein" Listen: "I Want the World to Stop"

The Bug - Exit EP This new EP from The Bug follows August's Angels & Demons, Kevin Martin's fourth album under that name. Like that album, this EP features guest vocals from Liz Harris, aka Grouper (who has a new album of her own coming out later this year). Watch: "Function"/"Void" Listen: "Black Wasp"

Cold War Kids - "All This Could Be Yours" This is the first single from Cold War Kids' recently released fifth album, Hold My Home. Their debut record was one of my favorites, but follow-ups left me feeling a little cold on the band. I'm hopeful, though, that their latest can get make the band one of my favorites again. Watch: "All This Could Be Yours"

LAMC #14 This is the 14th entry of the Less Artists More Condos series from the Famous Class record label. This one contains what may be my favorite song from Speedy Ortiz, and a b-side track from solo guitarist Chris Weisman. Listen: Speedy Ortiz - "Doomsday"

Peter Morén - Broken Swenglish, Vol. 2 Peter Morén is the lead singer of Peter Bjorn and Jon, but also has had a long career as a solo artist. This is the second installment of his Broken Swenglish EP series, which features English versions of some his most popular songs, which were originally sung in Swedish. Listen: "The Odyssey"

Spirit Club - "Eye Dozer"/"Sling" Spirit Club is the latest side project from Wavves' frontman Nathan Williams, with his brother and Sweet Valley collaborator Joel, along with Andrew Caddick. This is the first release from the new project, though he has created an extensive amount of work outside of his main band. In Sweet Valley, he has released a number of free albums and mixtapes. Listen: "Eye Dozer" Listen: "Sling"

TV Eyes - TV Eyes Reissue TV Eyes is the project of movie composer Brian Reitzell, with Jason Falkner and Roger Joseph Manning Jr. Their debut and only album was initially released solely in Japan in 2006. This year, it is finally getting a broader release. Listen: "She's a Study"

Underworld - dubnobasswithmyheadman Reissue dubnobasswithmyheadman was the third album from British house band Underworld, first released in 1994. The album went on to be considered one of the quintessential dance albums of the 90s. This 20th anniversary reissue expands content to cover 5 discs. Listen: "Dirty Epic" Listen: "Mmmm... Skyscraper I Love You"

White Sands - "The Wait" It's been a while since we last heard from Male Bonding, though band members are staying busy. White Sands is Male Bonding's John Arthur Webb along  with Mazes' Conan Roberts and Novella's Sophy Hollington. This is their debut single. Listen: "The Wait"