K Pop sensations Shinee got my nod for Album of the Week on this fine Monday morning. It’s a corker, folks, and you just can’t help but dance upon hearing the first few notes. The catchy tunes and lyrics are Pop 101. I’m so so grateful to my students for getting me into this genre.
Here is the opening track…
It's nice to see indie pop coming out of New Orleans, a city known for jazz and blues. That's one of the many things that makes the duo, Generationals, so special. Their latest is called Heatherhead and it is quite magnificent. The tracks are so catchy!
Here is the opening track...
Orange County's own Local Natives is easily their best effort yet. Time Will Wait For No One is dream pop at its finest. All eleven tracks are completely enchanting and weave tales of love, loss, and some very serious self-actualization.
Here is one of my faves...
Portugal. The Man has been making fabulous music for three decades now. The Wasilla, Alaska natives have a unique soul-pop sound with just enough indie/alternative thrown in that they've nearly made their own genre.
Their latest is called Chris Black Changed My Life. It should be in regular rotation in your musical life going forward from this moment. Here is one of my faves...
Hull's own Bdrmm are back with I Don't Know, their sophomore entry into spaced-out shoegaze wonder. The world needs more music like this which allows us to deeply explore the inner workings of our individual mindscapes and cosmic journeys.
It reminds me of reading a good sci-fi novel!
Shogazers of the world can rejoice with the latest release from Lorelle Meets the Obsolete. Datura sees the Bologna outfit exploring some very offbeat sonic landscapes while still sticking to their signature sound.
The pride of Iceland, Sigur Ros, are back with their 8th long player and it's quite dandy. Atta is a perfect chill out, mind expander of a record. Find a quite place to stare at the sky, throw on the headphones and contemplate your place in the universe courtesy of this extraordinarily cool band.
Nary a month or two goes by without Melbourne's own King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard putting out a new album. Their prolific nature is matched only by the complete commitment to making records in as many different musical styles as possible.
Their latest style is metal and Petrodragonic Apocalypse is a home run in this genre. I mean, I'm not even a metal fan and I love it! It just kicks ass from start to finish, full throttle.
Here is the opening track...
John Mellencamp has gone quite dark on his latest release, Orpheus Descending. That's ok. Life is a dark ride and Mellencamp is just telling us what we already know. The style of the record reflects the theme...gritty, hollow, and desolate...
I do appreciate truth-tellers. Mellencamp has always been one.
Killer Mike is truly an American treasure. His latest record, Michael, is without a doubt his most personal. And his deepest social commentary yet. It's a painfully penetrating view of where our country is at in terms of race. In short, it's not good.
Yet, I found myself growing optimistic after the first couple of times I listened to it. That's Mike's gift...
Proud sons of Seattle, Queens of the Stone Age, get my nod this week for Album of the Week with In Times New Roman...
This record is a giant feat of awesomeness for a band that now has output in four decades. It's extra dirty and grungy which, in my opinion, comes from their continued collaboration with Iggy Pop. They were great before working with him and now they are simply stellar.
Here is one of my faves...
The pride of Wallasey is back with their eighth long player and there seems to be no stopping their comeback. Eight is the title of this fantastic record that seeks to forge a more diverse style. Originally a shoegaze band, The Boo Radleys are quite beyond that now.
You must check it out!
The latest record from Las Vegas's own Jenny Lewis is quirky fun. Joy'all has all the indie rock trappings that form the genre's core along with some AM Gold and loungy stuff. Lewis has a truly unique way of looking at the world.
Here is the opening track...
Kansas City's own Anna St. Louis has just dropped an absolute gem of a record called In The Air. Its hazy, beautifully lazy ways have been hitting me like the warm summer sun these last few weeks, comforting my soul and leaving me thankful that this artist is carrying the torch of exquisite nostalgia.
Like most music in this genre, I feel like I'm listening to an AM radio in the year 1978 when it's playing. Here is one of my faves...
Lounge lizards, scenesters and groovy hipsters of the world unite! The London based band, Bar Italia, is just the salve you need for these overly modern times. Their latest record is called Tracey Denim and it's totally fab, kittens!
Check out this choice track...
