The pride of New Jersey, Kool and The Gang, have released their first new record in fourteen years. Perfect Union is, well, a perfect Kool and the Gang record with all the usual hooks and crazy danceability. I'm not ashamed to admit that I have been shaking it all over my living room to this album.
Here is a taste...
The Manics are back with a wonderful new record called The Ultra Vivid Lament. A return to form for certain, it's been sending me on a massive nostalgia wave for the last couple of weeks, remembering those classic records from the '90s. Most bands just don't make albums like this anymore.
Thank god Blackwood's favorite sons do!
Auckland goddess Lorde's latest record is completely amazing. Solar Power, her third offering, features a wide range of pop stylings, complete with her signature vocal mixes that are beyond gorgeous.
Here is the title track...
Las Vegas's own The Killers have released a very interesting new record that deeply channels their inner Bruce Springsteen. They've taken departures from their signature sound before but this is crazy different yet in a good way. I found myself deeply fascinated by the stories they were telling on every single track.
Americana, dark version. Wow.
The pure pop sounds of Deafheaven have been in constant rotation in my house for the past couple weeks. Their latest record, Infinite Granite, is shoegaze dreamy at its finest. Every track is cloud, blue sky gold.
Dream pop fans will love this one!
Dublin's own Villagers are back with a fantastic new record called Fever Dreams. The quiet, introspective style they are known for is present along with some lo-fi vibes which are quite refreshing.
I've always admired how this band uses echo in their songs. It seems a basic sort of effect but the way these guys do it adds in beaucoup nostalgia.
NYC's Wily Mason is back with his fifth long-player and his upbeat pessimism is thanfkully still strong. Already Dead has some great high-energy tempos with themes that are quite dark. Love this combo!
Here is the opening track...
My daughter got me in to Billie Eilish and I'm very grateful she did. The LA native is a genius and her new record, Happier Than Ever, is a stellar sophomore effort. An incredibly wide range of styles are present on this album.
Here is my favorite track...so romantic...
The pride of Nottingham is not Robin Hood as many of us yanks might think. It's actually Jake Bugg. He's back with a very upbeat and soulful record called Saturday Night, Sunday Morning. His jangly guitar sound is present, of course, but there's much more to this album than his previous offerings. He's wandered into Miles Kane/Alex Turner territory with this one. Maybe he's always been there...:)
Here is the opening track...wow!!
NYC's Bleachers has a fab new record out that is pure pop sugar. Take The Sadness Out Of Saturday Night is solid from start to finish. It reminds me a lot of an album that MTV would have promoted the crap out of in the early 80's.
Here is one of my favorite tracks...
Well, sort of. The last offering from David Crosby, For Free, contains a collaboration with Donald Fagan. The track has a classic Dan theme and style. Back in the early days of Steely Dan, they had multiple vocalists. Maybe Crosby could join for a new round of this?
Super group Piroshka has released their sophomore effort and it's every bit as good as their first record. Love Drips and Gathers is dream pop goodness. I massively heart the places it takes my mind palace.
Brisbane's own The Goon Sax third effort, Mirror II, is stellar. I'm in a very dark emo place these days and this record is the perfect soundtrack. A modern-day Joy Divison!
