Georgia: Euphoric

The third album from London's own Georgia is out and it's pure pop bliss. Euphoric has a minimalist, echo based vibe that's perfect for the late summer blues. Mmm...those soft, dancey beats...

Here is the title track...

Rick Springfield: Automatic

The godfather of power pop is back with another stunner of a record. Rick Springfield, still going strong at age 74, continues to be off his ass amazing. Automatic is chock full of instantly classic sing along pop songs. Honestly, he might be even better now than he was back in the 80s!

Witness!

Miles Kane: One Man Band Album of the Week)

Miles Kane is a modern-day colossus of Brit Rock. His general awesomeness lords over all of us as spins completely fab pop hit after hit. One Man Band is his latest offering to the acolytes of the world who worship at the feet of the Holy Land of music. 

It's every bit of everything.

Here is the title track...

We all need time to heal...

The Clientele: I Am Not There Anymore

The Clientele are back with their ninth (!) album of brilliant indie pop. I Am Not There Anymore is a wonderful, blissful endeavor that soaks you up like a warm summer day.

Here is the opening track...

Post Malone: Austin

Post Malone is back with what I think is his best album yet. Austin is a tour de force (a phrase I don't often use) but it really applies here. The Syracuse, New York native has finally come up with the right mix of pop, rap and rock. 

Here is one of my faves...

Bethany Cosentino: Natural Disaster

Bethany Cosentino, front person for fab band Best Coast, has a mighty fine solo record out called Natural Disaster. It's pure rock and roll, something that is rarely made these days. The LA native is uncompromising in her devotion to AOR. 

Here is the title track...

Django Django: Off Planet

London's own Django Django have finally outdone themselves with their latest record, Off Planet. It's one of those old fashioned concept albums that they used to make back in the days of yore. The idea for this one centers around four parts of a planet with each "side" of the record representing one of those four parts. It's truly a beautiful album. In addition, many guest stars abound on this record including Jack Penate, Self Esteem and Stealing Sheep.

Here is Track 1 Side 1...

The Hives: The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons (Album of the Week)

After a far too long hiatus from recording, the world's ultimate party band is back with The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons. The Hives are completely off their asses on this one with raucous riffs, infectious hooks, and dragon-level awesomeness. 

Example...

The opening track is a perfect tone-setter...

Clearly, they have reconnected to their roots and early sound while still maintaining the power of their later stuff. Can't wait to see them live!

Queen Omega: Freedom Legacy

Trinidad's own Queen Omega has a new record out called Freedom Legacy. My daughter recommended this artist to me a while back and her music is now in regular rotation in our house. The torch of reggae is being carried with power and wonder!

Here is the opening track...

Lloyd Cole: On Pain

Lloyd Cole is back with a dark look at life that somehow manages to be uplifting. Perhaps it's the collective and daily misery that we all suffer that I find to be comforting with On Pain. The Buxton native is solidly plugged into the human condition.

Here is the title track...

Great Van Fleet: Starcatcher

The monster that is Great Van Fleet is back with another great record of classic rock in the vein of Led Zeppelin, Rush, and Yes. Starcatcher could have very easily come out in the year 1978. The Frankenmuth, Michigan outfit continues to carry a torch that needs to be eternal. And infinite.

Here is the opening track...

Disclosure: Alchemy

Those lads from Surrey are back with Alchemy, yet another perfecto club stomp of a record. Disclosure is the epitome of night beats cool. You can just see the streaming lights swarming all around you as the album soaks in...

Voice of Baceprot: RETAS (Album of the Week)

Screaming out of Garut, West Java, laying waste to all eardrums and people who must kneel before them, power metal trio Voice of Baceprot has taken the world by firestorm with their latest offering, RETAS. 

After a series of singles and EPs, we finally have a full length from these magnificent ladies, and, man of man, does it bring the THUNDER!

And the funk...

These women are dragon-level awesome. They are clearly on a trajectory to be a generation-defining band. 

Youth Valley: Lullabies For Adults

Newcomers Youth Valley have just dropped their first record and dream pop lovers will definitely want to snag it. Lullabies For Adults is completely beautiful and these Athens, Greece natives bear watching as they begin their journey.

Here is the opening track...

New Jeans: Get Up

K Pop sensations New Jeans have a new EP out called Get Up and its soft but determined late-night club beat is on my mind today. They've gone all in with that Friendly Fires, Everything But The Girl vibe and it's completely wonderful.

Here is the opening track...

Hannah Jadagu: Aperture

The spacey and mildly trippy pop of Hannah Jadagu has been in heavy rotation with me this summer. Her first full-length, Aperture, dropped back in May and it's an impressive debut. It helps the mind to travel and the soul to calm:)

Here is one of my faves...

Blur: The Ballad of Darren (Album of the Week)

Blur is back! Brit Rock is back!! Yay! 

The London lads that redefined British music have released their first new record in eight years and it is completely amazing. In fact, it has some loungey sounds to it that make it sound like your grandfather's Blur:)

The Ballad of Darren is Blur through and through. The malaise of modern life, weird connections to minutia that seem global in nature, self-actualization, and often loathing, love...all are present in this magnificent beast of a record.

Here is the poppy song...

And the loungey one...

Mahalia: IRL

Leceister's own Mahalia is back with her sophomore effort entitled IRL. It's a bluntly honest take on life and love in the social media age. Can people really make substantive connections? Mahalia is skeptical but she certainly lets us know what she's thinking and feeling.

Here is a live version of my fave on the record...

Pvris: Evergreen

Let's talk about Pvris. They are a magnificent pop band from Lowell, Massachusetts and they have a new album out called Evergreen. It is quite enjoyable in a shake-your-booty kind of way. And loads of power.

Here is one of my faves...

Lola Young: My Mind Wanders and Sometimes Leaves Completely

Lola Young’s latest record is perfect for summer listening. My Mind Wanders and Sometimes Leaves Completely is just what we all need right now, both in title and sound. Let your mind wander and leave you as you listen to this fantastic pop album.