Upcoming Album of the Week (Ending March 12)

Kanye West has proclaimed that he will release three more albums this year. While his inability to release one album last year leaves me doubtful, if it does actually happen, keep an eye on my Upcoming Releases page for their release dates and artwork. You can see other, non-Kanye albums set to come out, as well!

There were a huge number of new albums announced this week, but I will focus on a new album announced by Natasha Khan under her best-known moniker, Bat for Lashes. This week, she announced the project's fourth album, The Bride.

pitchfork.com

The announcement came after some hinting back in February of something arriving on July 1. She released a new song, "I Do," and posted a picture of a "save the date" card. Most presumed it would be the date of a forthcoming album (the date was a Friday, after all), but you couldn't rule out the possibility she was inviting all of her fans to an upcoming wedding!



Turns out, it was the latter. The album comes four years after the incredible The Haunted Man and just a year after her self-titled collaboration, as Sexwitch, with the band TOY. The official announcement came with another new song, "In God's House."

The Bride is set for release July 1.

Also announced this week:

ANOHNI - Hopelessness (May 6)
Ariana Grande - Dangerous Woman (May 20)
Band of Skulls - By Default (May 27)
Domo Genesis - Genesis (March 25)
Garbage - Strange Little Birds (June 10)
Guided By Voices - Please Be Honest (April 22)
John Doe - The Westerner (April 29)
Julianna Barwick - Will (May 6)
Ladyhawke - Wild Things (June 3)
Linda Perhacs - The Dancer (May 6)
Lindstrøm - Closing Shot EP (July 8)
LUH - Spiritual Songs for Lovers to Sing (May 6)
Night Shift (April 1)
Peter Bjorn and John - Breaking Point (June 10)
Record Store Day Releases
Robert Glasper - Everything’s Beautiful (May 27)
Sremmlife Crew - Trailmix (March 15)
Tegan and Sara - Love You to Death (June 3)
Wolf Parade - Apologies to the Queen Mary (May 13)

New Music Tuesday - September 25, 2015

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Chvrches - Every Open Eye Chvrches became a fast favorite of mine following the release of their 2013 debut album, The Bones of What You Believe. The timing of this follow-up came as no surprise; the band kept their fans updated at nearly every point of the process, which began just earlier this year. With a quick turn-around and high expectations, I was expecting to be a little disappointed by this. The band dug in their heels on their style, though, and crafted another album of epic pop tracks, just as incredible as their first. Watch: "Leave a Trace" Watch: "Clearest Blue"

The Dead Weather - Dodge & Burn Jack White is a smart man when it comes to the music industry and he pulled one of his smartest moves with this side project, selecting Alison Mosshart as the primary vocalist. She is easily one of my favorite voices in rock, but with four years since her last recorded material (Blood Pressures with The Kills), I was getting a little antsy to hear her again. This latest album from White's best post-White Stripes band is a welcome return, and an amazing release. Watch: "I Feel Love (Every Million Miles)" Listen: "Cop and Go"

Disclosure - Caracal Disclosure also had a beloved debut album to live up to. They became another favorite of mine after 2013's Settle. Like that album, the follow-up contains a bunch of club-ready tracks featuring a bevy of guests vocalists. Sam Smith is back on this album; Disclosure also enlisted Miguel, The Weekend, and Lorde for this go-around. The result is maybe not as good as their first, but still a collection of songs bound to make me bust a move. Watch: "Magnets" (featuring Lorde) Watch: "Omen" (featuring Sam Smith)

Julia Holter - Have You in My Wilderness Julia Holter provides one of the most simply pleasurable listening experiences. Although there's an experimental edge, her style of songwriting and instrumentation creates an incredibly calming mood. With four albums in five years, she's also a rare musician who can be incredibly prolific and not somehow misstep. Watch: "Feel You" Watch: "Sea Calls Me Home"

Kurt Vile - b’lieve i’m goin down Vile is another artist who seems unable to do wrong. He's released six albums in seven years and each is as good as, if not better than, the last. He's always been a great songwriter, but outdoes himself on each record. This almost feels like peak Vile, with some truly mind-boggling lyrical moves. Watch: "Life Like This" Watch: "Pretty Pimpin"

Other Full-Length Releases

Casey Veggies - Live & Grow Watch: "Tied Up" (featuring Dej Loaf) Listen: "I’m Blessed"

Girl Band - Holding Hands with Jamie Watch: "Pears for Lunch" Watch: "Paul"

JR JR - JR JR Watch: "Gone" Watch: "As Time Goes"

New Order - Music Complete Watch: "Restless" Listen: "Plastic"

No Devotion - Permanence Watch: "Addition" Listen: "Permanent Sunlight"

Peaches - RUB Watch: "Dick in the Air" Watch: "Close Up"

Rey Pila - The Future Sugar Listen: "Fire Away" (featuring Julian Casablancas) Listen: "What a Nice Surprise"

Ricked Wicky - Swimmer to a Liquid Armchair Watch: "Poor Substitute" Listen: "Simple Simon Paper Plates"

Ryan Adams - 1989 Listen: "Bad Blood" Listen: "Shake It Off"

Sexwitch - Sexwitch Listen: "Helelyos" Listen: "Ha Howa Ha Howa"

WAND - 1000 Days Listen: "Stolen Footsteps" Listen: "Dungeon Dropper"

The World Is a Beautiful Place and I Am No Longer Afraid to Die - Harmlessness Listen: "I Can Be Afraid of Anything" Listen: "Wendover"

Youth Lagoon - Savage Hills Ballroom Watch: "Highway Patrol Stun Gun" Watch: "The Knower"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

Arcade Fire - "Get Right"/"Crucified Again" Listen: "Get Right" Listen: "Crucified Again"

Big Boi + Phantogram - Big Grams Watch: "Fell in the Sun" Listen: "Lights On"

David Bowie - Five Years 1969-1973 Listen: "All the Madmen" (Single Edit)

Dumb Numbers - Split Series

Wiley - "Step 2001" Listen: "Step 2001" (featuring Zomby)

YG, Blanco & DB Tha General - California Livin Listen: "G Thang" Listen: "Block Party"

Upcoming Album of the Week (Ending August 29)

As always, you can click over to my Upcoming Album Releases page for a broader list of exciting music set to be released over the ensuing months!

This week, Natasha Khan (who performs as Bat for Lashes) announced a new project with TOY and Dan Carey, and an album of the same name, Sexwitch.

pitchfork.com

In the week before the announcement, Khan posted a game of hangman on her Twitter account, revealing a new letter each day. On the 19th, with _EX_ITC_ revealed, she also shared a short clip of a new song. General speculation from music publications and blogs assumed that a new album would shortly be announced, but none guessed at a brand new project from the musician.

pic.twitter.com/LTtLg1XnBV

— Bat for Lashes (@Bat_for_Lashes) August 19, 2015

For the new project, she partners with producer Dan Carey and the psychedelic British band TOY, who she has previously worked with for a cover of the song "The Bride," a pre-revolution Iranian song. This album follows on that initial collaboration, consisting of seven covers of American, Iranian, Moroccan and Thai folk songs.





Now, if you still prefer Khan on her own, she's not done with Bat for Lashes. She has indicated that she has nearly completed her fourth album and hopes to have it out next year!

Also announced this week:

Adele - 25 (November)
Andrew Hung - Rare Cave 2 EP (November 13)
Chris Walla - Tape Loops (October 19)
Jamie xx - “Loud Places” Remix 12” (out now)
Jean-Michel Jarre - Electronica 1: The Time Machine (October 16)
Made of Oak - Penumbra (November 6)
Mark Kozelek - Down in the Willow Garden EP (October 7)
Ricked Wicky - Swimmer to a Liquid Armchair (September 25)
Toro Y Moi - Samantha mixtape (out now)
The Velvet Underground - Loaded Reissue (October 30)
Weyes Blood - Cardamom Times EP (October 9)