Hayden Thorpe: Moondust For My Diamond

Kendal, Cumbria's own Hayden Thorpe has released his sophomore solo effort and it's great to see the former Wild Beasts frontman showing serious growth. Moondust For My Diamond is a stellar record from start to finish even with its ever-present moodiness. 

Here is the opening track...

Pond: 9

Perth's own psychedelic wonders Pond is back with nine tracks of sheer delight. The aptly title 9 is quite danceable and fun. It even has an 80s feel to it. Here is one of my favorite tracks...

Miracle Fortress: Awe (Autumn Music Series)

The autumnal beauty of "Awe" by Miracle Fortress unfolds upon hearing the very first sounds of the song. The echo-y guitar gives the listener that immediate image and feeling of the barren aspect of late fall which is quickly approaching. The keyboards that come in the middle of the track make it feel even more like winter is coming...

Hovvdy: True Love (Album of the Week)

Let's start off this last week of October in a chill way. And, of course, in autumnal fashion. Pop duo Hovvdy has just released their fourth long-player and it's perfect for the fall season. True Love is about, well, true love, acoustically speaking. In some ways, it reminds me of what Monet might do if he were making records. 

Oddly, Lake June reminds most of autumn. 

Poppy: Flux

From stadium bangers to Twin Peaks-esque wisps of the dream world, Poppy's latest record, Flux, is pure magic. There are sprinkles of 80's synth-pop intermixed throughout the album as well. 

Check out the title track...

Alessia Cara: In The Meantime

Alessia Cara has found that sweet spot between sexy R&B and spaced-out chill music. Her third album is the best example of this synergy. The Mississauga, Ontario native has really reached a new level of cosmic wonder with In The Meantime.

Check out this fine example!

And this reminded me a lot of those Getz-Gilberto team-ups...

Savior Adore: Honestly (Autumn Music Series)

The gorgeous acoustic guitar on Savoir Adore's track "Honestly" (from 2009's In The Wooded Forest)  fits quite nicely with an October walk through the leaves. The alternating male and female vocals are just perfect...

Strand of Oaks: In Heaven (Album of the Week)

Strand of Oaks (AKA Timothy Showalter) is picking exactly where The Verve left off with his new album called In Heaven. It actually sounds in some ways what I imagine heaven to sound like. The Goshen, Indiana native is painting soundscapes with a broad brush these days. And it's quite autumnal. Perfect for the season!!

Here's a track that belongs more in the fall than the spring...

Sufjan Stevens: A Beginner's Mind

Eternally awesome and preciously mellow Sufjan Stevens' latest record, A Beginner's Mind, is an absolute treasure of chill. Made with Angelo De Augustine, the album reminds quite a bit of some of Simon and Garfunkel's best works. 

Check it out...

Slothrust: Parallel Timeline

Boston's own Slothrust fifth record is a power-driven 70s rock love fest. I was a kid during that era and this album brings me back to that amazing decade. Her singing and guitar work kick ass!

Here is a fine example...

Heartless Bastards: A Beautiful Life

There certainly is more empathy and love than I would expect from the band Heartless Bastards. The Cincinnati outfit has just released their sixth long-player and it's the gem of their catalog. The chill lounge vibe is mos def working for them. 

Public Service Broadcasting: Bright Magic

London's own Public Service Broadcasting is back with their fifth offering and it makes me feel like I'm being introduced to a film that's familiar but I've never seen. The plot takes all over Europe and it's about love and travel. I can see all the characters and how they interact. 

I want to see this film that doesn't exist. 

The Lathums: How Beautiful Life Can Be (Album of the Week)

The Lathums are going to be the next great British band. These proud sons of Wigan in the Greater Manchester area have released an absolute corker of a debut record. How Beautiful Life Can Be is Dudes With Guitars perfect! I'm so so happy this genre is still alive and kicking. 

Here is one of my favorite tracks...

These lads are amazing!!

Low: Hey What

It's always special when a band from my home state of Minnesota makes great music. Duluth's Low has been doing it for nearly thirty years. Their latest record, Hey What, is another deep dive into atmospheric slowcore and cinematic journeys. 

Here is one of my favorite tracks...

Coldplay: Talk (Autumn Music Series)

Coldplay always reminds me of the Fall. There's just something about their sound. It is mind horizon expansive combined with echo-y guitars and fading daylight. I suppose the fact that many of their albums came out in the fall or in the early summer with tours in the fall also plays into their autumnal quality. 

"Talk" from X&Y is one of their best Fall songs. The opening draws you into crunchy leaf and colder wind bliss...

Julia Bardo: Bauhaus, L'appartamento

The Italian-born but now lives in Manchester artist Julia Bardo has just put out a completely fabulous record called Bauhaus, L'appartamento. It reminds me a lot of 90's alt-rock combined with lo-fi goodness. I love how women look at love in such a different way than men. Most refreshing! 

X Ambassadors: The Beautiful Liar (Album of the Week)

Ithaca, New York's own X Ambassadors continue their colossus-like dominance over pop music with their latest release, The Beautiful Liar. This record is just as stunning as their last one. Every track is brilliant and this time around they have a fascinating narrative that weaves its way throughout the album. 

Here is one of my favorite tracks...

Common: A Beautiful Revolution Pt.2

The magnificent icon known as Common has done it again with A Beautiful Revolution Pt.2. He paints urban tapestry stories that hit right to the core. And oh those grooves...so tasty..

The standout track features Pj. Check it out!

Saint Etienne: Finisterre (Autumn Music Series)

The best fall album of all time is Finisterre by Saint Etienne. Released on 30 September 2002, the cusp of autumn, this record defined not only that time in my life but fall music at its core. Granted, not all of the autumnal styles I've gone on about these past few years are present but the storytelling, home, hearth, family, and villages are all there. 

The first few seconds set the tone with spoken word narration that queries, "Have you ever been to a harvester before?"

And from there we are off on a mystical journey to a forever hamlet filled with vibrant characters and multi-colored histories. The entire country of England bursts into life and the things I remember on my travels to that amazing place cascade in a flood of memories. All of this is mixed up with the colours of fall and a romantic. roaring fire with an amour. 

Example, the title track...

This is exactly where you should start your Autumn Music Series this year. 

Lindsey Buckingham: Lindsey Buckingham

Rock icon Lindsey Buckingham is back with a new solo record simply called Lindsey Buckingham. Fresh off his latest split with Fleetwood Mac, Buckingham has made a wonderfully beautiful record filled with upbeat and catchy pop tunes. It has a decidedly "McCartney" down home feel. 

Here is one of my favorite tracks.