New Music Friday - July 14, 2017

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Japanese Breakfast - Soft Sounds from Another Planet Japanese Breakfast is the stage name of Michelle Zauner, who released her debut album, Psychopomp, only last year. On Soft Sounds, she continues writing very personal lyrics, but puts it a little further out of this world with a bit of sci-fi imagery. She also expands her sound beyond the intimate bedroom pop of her debut. Watch: "Road Head" Watch: "Machinist"

Offa Rex - The Queen of Hearts Offa Rex is basically every member of the Decemberists along with English singer Olivia Chaney. Together, they perform psychedelic folk interpretations of folk music from the British Isles. Watch: "The Old Churchyard" Watch: "Blackleg Miner"

The Pollyseeds - The Sounds of Crenshaw Vol. 1 The Pollyseeds is the latest project from musician Terrace Martin, who released a solo album, Velvet Portrait, just last year. For the new band, he teams up with a few other R&B/hip hop instrumental heavyweights, including Robert Glasper and Kamasi Washington. Watch: "Intentions" (featuring Chachi) Listen: "Mama D/Leimert Park"

Sheer Mag - Need to Feel Your Love Sheer Mag is a five-piece band out of Philadelphia fronted by Tina Halladay. Their music combines their loves of punk and classic rock. They have made a name for themselves with a series of EPs released from 2014 to 2016. Need to Feel Your Love is their debut full-length. Watch: "Suffer Me" Listen: "Need to Feel Your Love"

Waxahatchee - Out in the Storm If you love the Crutchfield twins, this has been a good year for you. Earlier this year, Allison Crutchfield released her debut solo record, and now her twin sister Katie is releasing her fourth album as Waxahatchee. The recording of this album was less of a solo affair than 2015's Ivy Tripp, with Katie Harkin, Katherine Simonetti, Ashley Arnwine, and Allison rounding out the musicians on the record. Watch: "No Curse" Watch: "Silver"

Other Full-Length Releases

French Montana - Jungle Rules Watch: "A Lie" (featuring The Weeknd & Max B) Listen: "Stop It"

Mr. Jukes - God First Watch: "Grant Green" (featuring Charles Bradley) Watch: "Angels / Your Love" (featuring BJ the Chicago Kid)

Mura Masa - Mura Masa Watch: "1 Night" (featuring Charli XCX) Watch: "All Around the World" (featuring Desiigner)

RAC - EGO Watch: "This Song" (featuring Rostam) Watch: "I Still Wanna Know" (featuring Rivers Cuomo)

Shabazz Palaces - Quazarz: Born on a Gangster Star Watch: "Shine a Light" (featuring Thaddillac) Listen: "Since C.A.Y.A." (featuring Thundercat)

Shabazz Palaces - Quazarz vs. The Jealous Machines Watch: "30 Clip Extension" Listen: "Effeminence" (featuring Fly Guy Das)

Us and Us Only - Full Flower Watch: "Full Flower" Watch: "Kno"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

Coldplay - Kaleidoscope EP Watch: "A L I E N S" Watch: "All I Can Think About Is You"

Evergreen: A Benefit Compilation for Hour Children Listen: Sadie Dupuis - "Meat of Contract" (Speedy Ortiz demo)

The Radio Dept. - Teach Me to Forget Listen: "Teach Me to Forget" Listen: "Just So"

New Release Friday - October 21, 2016

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Leonard Cohen - You Want It Darker We didn't know it at the time, but this would be the last album that this musical genius would release during his lifetime. The 82-year-old singer and songwriter passed away on November 7 following a fall. He'd said some prophetic statements recently, but was in good health and just seemed like he should live forever. Thankfully, he graced us with another incredible collection of songs before he left us. Watch: "You Want It Darker" Listen: "Traveling Light"

NxWorries - Yes Lawd! NxWorries is Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge. The duo first formed last year and released an EP, Link Up & Suede. 2016 has been a big year for both artists individually; .Paak released a highly-regarded fourth album, Malibu, and Knxwledge released several albums, and provided production for tracks by Ghostface Killah, Action Bronson, and Earl Sweatshirt. Watch: "Link Up" Listen: "Lyk Dis"

Pretenders - Alone This album is a meeting of Akron minds. The Pretenders are back after an eight-year gap with an album produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. In addition to providing production, Auerbach brings several members of his Arcs project to provide instrumentation on the record; Chrissie Hyndes and Martin Chambers are the sole original members that remain with the band. Watch: "Holy Commotion!" Listen: "Alone"

The Radio Dept. - Running Out of Love The Radio Dept. always flies under my radar when I think about my favorite artists and albums over the past few years, but their 2010 record Clinging to a Scheme, is an album I can always come back to and enjoy. Running Out of Love is an amazing follow-up. The album is inspired by dance and techno music, though they employ a more understated version of the styles. They also add a healthy dose of politics to their music. Listen: "Swedish Guns" Listen: "We Got Game"

Weyes Blood - Front Row Seat to Earth Weyes Blood is Natalie Mering, who started her career as the bassist for Jackie-O Motherfucker before going solo ten years ago. It wasn't until 2014 that she released her debut album, The Innocents, which debuted her 70s folk-inspired sound and use of distinct instrumentation. She doesn't stray far from the sound on her debut with this follow-up. Watch: "Do You Need My Love" Watch: "Seven Words"

Other Full-Length Releases

American Football - American Football Listen: "I’ve Been Gone for So Long" Listen: "Give Me the Gun"

Cakes Da Killa - Hedonism Watch: "New Phone (Who Dis)" Watch: "Talkin Greezy"

Crocodiles - Dreamless Watch: "Telepathic Lover" Listen: "Time to Kill"

D.R.A.M. - Big Baby D.R.A.M. Watch: "Cash Machine" Listen: "WiFi" (featuring Erykah Badu)

Jagwar Ma - Every Now & Then Watch: "O B 1" Listen: "Give Me a Reason"

Jimmy Eat World - Integrity Blues Watch: "Get Right" Watch: "Sure and Certain"

Kevin Devine - Instigator Listen: "No History" Listen: "Instigator"

Lady Gaga - Joanne Watch: "Perfect Illusion" Listen: "Million Reasons"

Malcolm London - Opia Listen: "Opia" (featuring Jamila Woods) Listen: "Northstar" (featuring Vic Mensa)

Spirit Club - Slouch Watch: "Broken Link" Listen: "Fast Ice"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

Belle and Sebastian - The Jeepster Singles Collection Listen: "Dog on Wheels" Listen: "Jonathan David"

The Blow - "Think About Me" Watch: "Think About Me"

The Cinematic Orchestra - "To Believe" Listen: "To Believe" (featuring Moses Sumney)

felicita - a new family Watch: "a new family" Listen: "softly"

Iggy Pop - The Idiot Reissue Listen: "Sister Midnight" Listen: "Nightclubbing"

Iggy Pop - Lust for Life Reissue Listen: "Lust for Life" Listen: "Some Weird Sin"

Lazarus (Original Cast Recording) Watch: Sophia Anne Caruso - "Life on Mars?" Watch: Michael C. Hall - "Lazarus"

Really Big Pinecone - W.I.S.A.T.P. Listen: "Chorus Girl" Listen: "W.I.S.A.T.P."

Sarah Davachi - All My Circles Run

Sia - This Is Acting Deluxe Version Watch: "The Greatest" (featuring Kendrick Lamar) Watch: "Cheap Thrills"