New Music Friday - January 13, 2017

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Flo Morrissey & Matthew E. White - Gentlewoman, Ruby Man Flo Morrissey is a young British singer with one album under her belt and Matthew E. White is an American singer and producer with just two solo records, but scores of collaborations and production work. Morrissey's and White's collaborative album is a collection of covers, with songs originally performed by Frank Ocean, Little Wings, and Frankie Valli. Listen: "Grease" Listen: "Look at What the Light Did Now"

Run the Jewels - RTJ3 Killer Mike and El-P are always welcome voices to hear, but the release of their third records is perfectly timed. With just one week until the inauguration of a new president, their angry, direct, and fiercely political music provides a needed response to both the real and feared social landscape. There will be many voices of opposition over the next four years, but few will be as unapologetically brash as those of Run of Jewels. Listen: "Legend Has It" Listen: "Down" (featuring Joi)

The xx - I See You The xx suffered one of the common sophomore curses with the release of 2012's Coexist; they'd released an album too similar to their debut. In the five years since that album, one of the group members, Jamie xx, released a celebrated solo record, one that informed the sound of his group's third album. While still identifiable as a The xx record, the sound is more expansive with the style of In Colour taking the band into a new direction. Watch: "On Hold" Listen: "Say Something Loving"

Other Full-Length Releases

Bonobo - Migration Watch: "Kerala" Listen: "No Reason" (featuring Nick Murphy)

The Flaming Lips - Oczy Mlody Watch: "How??" Watch: "Sunrise (Eyes of the Young)"

PnB Rock - Goin’ Through the Motions Watch: "Alone" Watch: "Selfish"

Sohn - Rennen Watch: "Hard Liquor" Watch: "Conrad"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

Foxing - Two

Mr. Tophat - Trust Me Listen: "Right Time" (featuring Robyn) Listen: "Trust Me" (featuring Robyn)

Nirvana - Incesticide Listen: "Dive" Listen: "Sliver"

of Montreal - Rune Husk EP Listen: "Internecine Larks" Listen: "Widowsucking"

Upcoming Album of the Week (Ending January 14)

It's the new year and new album announcements are pouring in after a relatively-quiet period at the end of last year. Check out some of those new albums over on my Upcoming Releases page!

This week, Odd Future member Syd announced her first solo album, Fin.

Syd, fka Syd tha Kid, is a member of the Odd Future hip hop collective and leader of one of it's subgroups, The Internet. She's released three albums with The Internet, including 2015's Ego Death.

She announced her debut album on Wednesday, accompanied by a new song a video, "All About Me."

Fin is set to be released on February 3.

Also announced this week:

Beach Slang - Here, I Made This for You (Beach Slang Mixtape Vol. 2) (February 10)
Blanck Mass - World Eater (March 3)
Cameron Avery - Ripe Dreams, Pipe Dreams (March 10)
Diet Cig - Swear I’m Good at This (April 7)
Half Waif - form/a (February 24)
Jay Som - Everybody Works (March 10)
Karen Elson - Double Roses (April 7)
Luxury Death - Glue EP (February 24)
The Luyas - Human Voicing (February 24)
Lydia Ainsworth - Darling of the Afterglow (March 31)
Spiral Stairs - Doris and Daggers (March 24)
Spoon - Hot Thoughts (March 17)

New Music Friday - January 6, 2017

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Full-Length Releases

Brian Eno - Reflection

Gone Is Gone - Echolocation Watch: "Gift" Watch: "Dublin"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

Jingle Yay! Listen: Julien Baker - "Decorated Lawns"

New Music Friday - December 23, 2016

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

Grouper - Paradise Valley Listen: "Headache" Listen: "I’m Clean Now"

Lion (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Watch: Sia - "Never Give Up"

NOISE Listen: clipping. - "Body for the Pile" (featuring SICKNESS)

Sing (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Watch: Stevie Wonder - "Faith" (featuring Ariana Grande) Listen: Scarlett Johansson - "Set It All Free"

Yo Gotti - White Friday (CM9) Listen: "Castro" (featuring Kanye West, Big Sean, Quatro, & 2 Chainz)

Upcoming Album of the Week (Ending January 7)

Happy New Year everyone! Regardless of how we feel about last year, 2016 was a great year for music. 2017 is shaping up to be just as good; check out my Upcoming Releases page to see some of what will be coming out!

This week, The Shins announced their first album in five years, Heartworms.

brooklynvegan.com

The Shins' previous record, Port of Morrow, itself came after a five-year break and massive shift in the band's lineup. Actually, frontman James Mercer was the only original member left after parting with (or perhaps firing) the other founding members.

This follow-up sees a similar shift, only one new member who came on board for Port of Morrow, Yuuki Matthews, is still around. Perhaps this was due to Mercer's desire to return the band's earlier sound for the record.

We'll find out if he succeeded when the album is released on March 10.

Also announced this week:

Jens Lekman - Life Will See You Now (February 17)
Julien Baker - “Funeral Pyre” (March 17)
Paul Shaffer and The World’s Most Dangerous Band - Paul Shaffer and The World’s Most Dangerous Band (March 17)
Sleater-Kinney - Live in Paris (January 27)
Weyes Blood & Ariel Pink - Myths 002 (January 27)

New Music Friday - December 16, 2016

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Kid Cudi - Passion, Pain, & Demon Slayin’ This is the sixth album from Kid Cudi, following 2015's Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven. The new album was first teased back in May and was planned as two separate albums. The record turned into a double album, split into separate acts similar to his earlier albums, the Man on the Moon series. Listen: "Baptized in Fire" (featuring Travis Scott)

Other Full-Length Releases

Serengeti + Sicker Man - Doctor My Own Patience Watch: "Impress a Girl" Listen: "Doctor My Own Patience"

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

BJ the Chicago Kid - The Lost Files: Cuffing Season Listen: "Planet Love" Listen: "Plain"

Michael Angelakos - Merry Christmas, Mr. Fields Watch: "Stained Glass Windows" Watch: "Christmas in Your Arms"

New Music Friday - December 9, 2016

Be sure to view a list of upcoming releases here!

Essential Full-Length Releases

Hodgy - Fireplace:TheNotTheOtherSide The Odd Future gang has a reputation for being a bunch of goofballs, but in recent years, its members have started to become more serious in their music. Earl Sweatshirt was the first to shift direction, and even Tyler, the Creator has followed suit. Hodgy is the latest to make the change. He's dropped the "Beats" from his name and is tackling serious issues on his first proper album. Watch: "Barbell" Listen: "Resurrection"

Other Full-Length Releases

Ab-Soul - DWTW Watch: "D.R.U.G.S." Watch: "Braille" (featuring Bas)

Maria Taylor - In the Next Life Watch: "If Only" (featuring Conor Oberst)

Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.

Billie Marten - "White Christmas" Listen: "White Christmas"

The Decemberists - The Crane Wife Box Set Listen: "The Crane Wife 1, 2, & 3" (Demo) Listen: "The Island"

Jessy Lanza - Oh No No No Watch: "I Talk BB" (Morgan Geist Remix)

John Cale - Fragment of a Rainy Season Reissue Watch: "Hallelujah" Listen: "A Child’s Christmas in Wales"

M83 - Road Blaster EP Listen: "Road Blaster" Listen: "Road Blaster" (Lauer Remix)

The Microphones - Early Tapes, 1996-1998 Listen: "Compressor"

Saintseneca - The Mallwalker EP Listen: "Mallwalker" Listen: "All the Best"

Woods - Live at Third Man Records