New Music Friday - September 9, 2016

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Allah-Las - Calico Review I'm not too big into music radio, but with the benefit of satellite radio in a rental car a couple of years ago, I first heard this band on an indie rock station. I know I like a lot of music, but there's not much I like immediately, and I liked this band the moment that I first heard them. Calico Review is their third album and does not see them drifting far from the sound they established on their first two records. Watch: "Could Be You" Watch: "Famous Phone Figure"

Clipping. - Splendor & Misery Daveed Diggs has become a very busy and in-demand man. In addition to all of his projects, he looks to be adding "showrunner" to his resume, developing a pilot for ABC about a rapping mayor. Still, he sticks by his first musical venture. Splendor & Misery is the second album from Clipping., which also includes members William Hutson and Jonathan Snipes. He has also not compromised on the experimental sound of the band (and, of course, the incredible music videos)! Watch: "Air ‘Em Out" Watch: "Baby Don’t Sleep"

M.I.A. - AIM This album has had a long promotion cycle behind it. The first track that would appear on the record, "The New International Sound (Pt. 2)," was released in June of last year. Overall, in 2015, she would release three tracks; the assumed name of the album was Matahdatah and no specific release date had been set. She released a few more songs this year, before providing more album details this summer, including its final name. It might be her last record, but if it is, she's going out on a high note. Watch: "Go Off" Watch: "Borders"

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Skeleton Tree It's been a difficult couple of years for Nick Cave, with the loss of his teenage son, Arthur. On his latest record, the artist, who usually displays a stoic swagger, delves into the impact of his son's death on him and his family. The recording of the album was captured in the documentary, One More Time with Feeling, also released earlier this year. Watch: "Jesus Alone" Watch: "I Need You"

Okkervil River - Away Okkervil River's latest record, their eighth, was also partially inspired by death; in this case, it was the death of frontman Will Sheff's grandfather. The period of time since The Silver Gymnasium also marked changes in the band's backing line-up, which played into the making of the record. The album features contributions from yMusic, Marissa Nadler, and Jonathan Meiburg (who used to be a full member). Watch: "The Industry" Watch: "Okkervil River R.I.P."

Other Full-Length Releases

D.A.R.K. - Science Agrees Listen: "Curvy" Listen: "Loosen the Noose"

Drugdealer - The End of Comedy Watch: "Suddenly" (featuring Weyes Blood) Watch: "Easy to Forget" (featuring Ariel Pink)

Grouplove - Big Mess Watch: "Traumatized" Watch: "Welcome to Your Life"

The Head and the Heart - Signs of Light Watch: "All We Ever Knew" Listen: "Library Magic"

Ice Choir - Design in Rhythm Listen: "Unprepared" Listen: "Variant"

inc. no world - As Light as Light Watch: "Hymn 1" Listen: "Waters of You"

July Talk - Touch Watch: "Push + Pull" Listen: "Touch"

Local Natives - Sunlit Youth Watch: "Coins" Watch: "Fountain of Youth"

Nots - Cosmetic Listen: "Entertain Me" Listen: "No Novelty"

Omar Rodriguez-López - Umbrella Mistress Listen: "Tell Me What I Did Wrong" Listen: "Umbrella Mistress"

Psychic Twin - Strange Diary Watch: "Lose Myself" Listen: "Hopeless"

Robert Pollard - Not in My Airforce Listen: "Get Under It" Listen: "Maggie Turn to Flies"

Teenage Fanclub - Here Watch: "I’m in Love" Watch: "Thin Air"

Wilco - Schmilco Listen: "Someone to Lose" Listen: "If Ever I Was a Child"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

Cold Cave - The Idea of Love Watch: "The Idea of Love"

David Nagler & Friends - Carl Sandburg’s Chicago Poems Listen: Jeff Tweedy - "Theme in Yellow"

Gang of Four - Live…In the Moment Watch: "Love Like Anthrax"

Jack White - Jack White Acoustic Recordings 1998-2016 Watch: "City Lights" Listen: "Carolina Drama" (Acoustic Mix)

New Order - Singles Listen: "Sub-Culture" (Edit)

The Rolling Stones - The Rolling Stones in Mono

Transpecos: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Listen: Aaron & Bryce Dessner - "Final Theme" Listen: Aaron & Bryce Dessner - "Brothers"

The Verve - A Northern Soul Box Set Watch: "History" Listen: "A Northern Soul"

The Verve - A Storm in Heaven Box Set Watch: "Slide Away" Listen: "Star Sail"

New Music Tuesday - 09/17/2013

New Full-Length Releases

Elvis Costello & The Roots - Wise Up Ghost It looks like The Roots are becoming the latest kings of the collaborative album. Their first was 2010's Wake Up with John Legend. That album was somewhat expected, since soul and R&B was already an established part of their sound. This collaboration comes a bit more out of left field. In contrast to The Roots' hip-hop; Costello started out recording new wave music, but moved to alternative country later in his career. I like the idea of this collaboration and hope that the result is great! Listen/Watch: "Walk Us Uptown"

Grouplove - Spreading Rumours It's amazing the effect that Apple ads has on the effect of featured artists. After Grouplove's song "Tongue Tied" was featured in a commercial for the iPod Touch two years ago, the single shot to number 1 on the Billboard Alternative chart and their album hit 75 (not extremely high, but still respectable). It's easy to create one catchy song, the challenge is in creating memorable albums (or at least another good song). Grouplove certainly did that with their upbeat debut, I expect a continuation on the follow-up. Listen/Watch: "Ways to Go"

MGMT - MGMT MGMT made a big splash with their debut album, Oracular Spectacular, which featured two certified hit singles, "Electric Feel" and "Kids," both of which were insanely catchy songs. They followed it up however, with an album that didn't even seem to try to be memorable. I have a little more confidence that this album will be a better one from them. I already like the lead single, "Your Life Is a Lie;" while its sparse instrumentation is in sharp contrast to the singles that made them big, the melody is almost as immediate. Listen/Watch: "Your Life Is a Lie"

Royal Bangs - Brass Association is a powerful thing for me. If it weren't for the predilections of a member of one of my favorite bands, I probably wouldn't know of Royal Bangs. The band became a favorite of Black Keys drummer Pat Carney. Their first two albums were released on his Audio Eagle label. He also produced this latest album. His love of their music is easy to understand; they're able to produce experimental rock that is still listenable and, more importantly, rocking! Listen/Watch: "Better Run"

Yoko Ono - Take Me to the Land of Hell Yoko Ono is a very divisive musician. Many blame her for the end of The Beatles and many more struggle to understand her arrhythmic experimental music. I've come to dig it, though it took a while to get there. John Lennon's last album, Double Fantasy, was a double album recorded with Ono. Her half intrigued me, and I soon checked out more of her work. I discovered that she is a well-established, prolific and much respected artist, with work well worth a listen. Listen: "Moonbeams"

Other New Releases

High Cotton: A Tribute to Alabama I've never been a huge Alabama fan, though who doesn't know and love the song "Why Lady Why." What caught my eye about this tribute album was one of the artists chosen to cover one of their classic songs. Jessica Lea Mayfield (another Black Key favorite) was brought in to cover "I'm in a Hurry (And I Don't Know Why)." Listen: "I’m in a Hurry (And I Don’t Why)"

Junip - Walking Lightly EP Junip released an excellent self-titled sophomore album earlier this year. The record included some excellent tracks, though "Walking Lightly" was certainly one of the standouts. It's getting the single and remix treatment this week; this release includes several reworkings of the song. Listen/Watch: "Walking Lightly"

Los Porcos - "Sunshine"/"Classically Feminine Woman" I got into the band WU LYF a couple of years ago, intrigued by their harsh vocals and jangly guitar. As soon as I got into them, though, they were no more. Lead singer Ellery Roberts suddenly left the band and released a solo single in the same breath. The remaining members regrouped as Los Porcos and have released a number of singles this year. Listen: "Sunshine"

Songs from Montague Terrace - A Tribute to Scott Walker Another tribute album this week! This one is dedicated to Scott Walker, who's been a bigger name in England and among more adventurous listeners. This tribute includes tracks recorded by Coves, Nightlands and Sondre Lerche. Listen: Sondre Lerche - "The Plague"

Toro Y Moi - "Campo"/"Outside with You" Toro Y Moi started a tour on Saturday in Mexico City. This single is a tour-exclusive release from the artist. He's coming to Columbus in October, so hopefully I can get my hands on it then! Listen: "Campo"