Ah, those halcyon days of CD wallet inserts that one could pour over for juicy little tidbits about the band and how they album was made. The musical project of one Pete Sagar tackles this dream on the latest Homeshake record called CD Wallet.
So so good...
Brighton's own Lime Garden have just dropped their first long player and it's official. Wonk pop is now a genre in music. One More Thing is a very unique record. At times, I felt like I was listening to a perfect melange of Kennedy Era Cool Space Pop and indie guitar rock.
Example...
Philly's own Sheer Mag are back with a wonderful record Playing Favorites. It's a garage rock lover's dream with fast paced and very loud guitar. The themes and lyrics of each of the eleven tracks are boss.
Title track...
One of London's top shoegaze and dream pop outfits, Whitelands, has a fantabulous record out called Night-Bound Eyes Are Bling To The Day. Dream pop and shoegaze lovers will rejoice at this magnificent outing filled with sonic landscapes guaranteed to oat your mind.
Opening track...
London outfit Another Sky is back with a corker of a record called Beach Day. Every track is a sweeping anthem to the various passions of life. The towering guitars are overwhelming in all the best possible ways.
Here is one of my faves, performed live a few months back.
Modern English may be best known for their mega hit "Melt With You" but they have several releases that are completely mega. Their latest record is called 1 2 3 4 and is all the 80s you could ever ask for and more. Essex unite behind your amazing lads!
Opening track...
Their latest record is called Under The Light and it's their strongest outing since Gracetown. Their uncanny ability at creating perfect pop songs is at an all time high on this album. All eleven tracks are sheer brilliance in the genre and are, quite frankly, shovel to the head stunning. OMG-the pop hooks!
Here is a great example.
Those wacky Scots, The Jesus and Mary Chain, are back with a wonderful record called Glasgow Eyes. In many ways, these lads were the original alternative or indie rock band. Their forty plus year career has consistently seen cutting edge and highly engaging music.
Here is one of my faves from the new record...
The pride of Searcy, Arkansas is back with corker of a record. Real Power is a shining example of all that is wonderful and amazing about Gossip. And it's a surefire footmover!
Opening track...
The pride of Birmingham, Alabama is back with Tigers Blood, yet another shining example of why Waxahatchee should be in continuous rotation on our musical players. Katie and Co. are deeply tapped into Americana, meaning all the hopes, dreams, fear and love contained therein.
Witness!
The self-titled debut record from South Africa's own Tyla is out and it has taken the world by storm. She's managed to combine R&B, pop and African rhythms into a simply gorgeous blend of sonic power.
Completely dig this track...
Liverpool's own Cast is back with Love Is The Call, their first long player in seven years. The eleven tracks on this magnificent album are a solid reminder why the Brit Rock genre isn't going anywhere anytime soon. It's more glorious than ever!
The opening track sets the tone for the more serious journey we are all about to take.
Please join me in exploring the Deeper Well that is the new record from Kacey Musgraves. This is easily her best album in both theme and style. The way she explores the human condition is enchanting.
Opening track...
If you are looking from some solidly awesome R&B, look no further than Ledisi's Good Life. It's thirteen tracks of pure gold. Her voice has never sounded better and we should all be grateful that music like this is still being made by such stellar artists like Ledisi.
Title and opening track...
It's always wonderful when psychedelic garage bands come from Los Angeles. Meatbodies are a perfect example of this. Their latest is called Flora Ocean Tiger Bloom and it's giant pile of mind expanding awesomeness.
Opening track...
The Kaiser Chiefs have gone for the BIG GROOVE on their latest record, Kaiser Chiefs' Easy Eighth Album. The Leeds lads are off their ass with all the fun and joy on this one.
Here's a great example and my fave on the record...
Declan McKenna's latest record is quite the gem. What Happened To Beach? sees the Enfield lad really hitting his stride in terms of pop craftsmanship. I really dig this record!
Opening track...
The Snuts have a new record out called Millennials and I love it! The West Lothian Scots are quite charming on this one with a most excellent blend of pop and rock.
Opening track...
Middleton, Connecticut's own MGMT is back with Loss of Life, a joyfully dark exploration of the human condition. The duo really gets into a deep dive here on where we all stand in the universe.
This is apparent on this track...
I'm so totally in love with Everything Everything's Mountainhead. The album moves and groove and knocks my socks right on my ass! Manchester forever!!
Opening track...
Three decades into their ridiculously awesome career, Portland's own Strfkr are better than ever. Their latest is called Parallel Realms and it's a great place to visit. The scifi feel to it is truly out of this world!
Fave...
Yard Act is quite the outfit. The proud sons Leeds West Yorkshire have their sophomore effort out and it's a stream of consciousness/pop groove extravaganza. Where's My Utopia? is a question I often ask myself and a shining example of modern day culture in the UK.
Here is one of my faves...
Likely my favorite current female artist, Faye Webster is back with an amazing record called Underdressed At The Symphony. This album strikes me as more mystical in nature with a much deeper dive into the complexities of romance.
Opening track of gorgeousness...
Proud Jersey boys Real Estate just dropped their latest and it's my pick for Album of the Week. Daniel is a jangle pop lover's dream. The opening track lets you know right where you are heading...
I completely heart Hurray For The Riff Raff and their whole vibe. It just drips with Americana and makes your soul all fuzzy and warm. Their latest is called The Past Is Still Alive and the title does indeed take me to those long road trips I used to take with my dad in the late 70s and early 80s.
Opening track...
Good rock music is hard to find. Thankfully we have Mary Timony's latest record called Untame The Tiger. It's the DC native/s fourth long player and I think it's clearly her best. Long live rock!
Opening track...
There is something greatly infectious about the latest Allie X record. The Toronto native's latest is called Girl With No Face and it's an 80s bliss dream.
Here is one of my faves...
It's about near perfect that two god like geniuses of Brit Rock decided to make an album together. Liam Gallagher and John Squire have put out a magnificent self titled LP. The ten tracks contained therein are clearly destiny for these two legends.
One of my faves is "Mars To Liverpool," a track that is an exemplar of the genre...
Modesto, Cali's own Grandaddy are back with Blu Wav, a soothing star (and shoe) gazer of a record. It's been seven years since their last record and they have sorely been missed. This outfit has the ability to emanate chill.
Opening track...
I really heart the latest record by San Francisco janglers, The Umbrellas. Fairweather Friend reminds a lot of the indie rock I listened to the 80s. Lloyd Cole for sure comes to mind.
Opening track...
Liverpool's own Crawlers have dropped their first full length album and it's an amazing pile of girl angst. The Mess We Seem To Make is jaw droppingly honest look at what it means to be female and a Zoomer in the 20s.
Check it out!
London's own Tapir has their first full length record and the title alone lets you know what you are in for. The Pilgrim, Their God And the King of My Decrepit Mountain is an absolute tour de force, charting new territories in journey music. So much more than just indie folk!
Let your mind drift away with them...
The debut album from Sydney's own Royal Otis is finally here. Pratts and Pains is a guitar pop lovers dream. I love the landscape the whole record lays out.
The opening track sucks you right in..
The debut album from New Zealand outfit Office Dog is here and it is wonderful. Spiel has just the right amount of drone-y emo and general weariness that makes those down days all the more wonderful.
Opening track...
Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes have a corker of a record out called Dark Rainbow. It's Dudes with Guitars Brit Rock at its finest. So happy that music like this is still being made and shouted proudly out!
Opening track.
Future Islands are back with a fantabulous record called People Who Aren't There Anymore. The introspection on this one combined with their usual amazing style lead the listener to reflect on the people we sometimes leave behind. Or leave us behind.
Here is one of my faves...
After a ten year hiatus, Bristol's own shoegaze outfit, The Fauns, are back with How Lost. The opening track lets us all know how much they have been missed.
Ah, the soft and sweet sounds of NYC's Sy Smith. Her latest record is called Until We Meet Again and it's like a refreshing waterfall on a hot summer's day. So so happy that music like this is still being made
Find a loved one and curl up by the fire...
The pride of Galway, Ireland has finally dropped their debut LP. Madra is a shoegaze wonder filled with goodness. I expect New Dad to be fathering themselves all over the world.
Love the hooks on this one...
The pride of Laguna Beach is back with his fifteenth long player. Three Bells is an epic in garage rock drone. Ty Segall has officially become a master.
Opening track...
K Pop sensations Le Sserafim latest has been sticking with me for several months now so it most certainly deserves a shoutout. Unforgiven explodes towards the listener in a wonderfully aggressive way. Man oh man, those grooves!
We are Fearless...
Toronto has a fabulous dudes with guitars band called Ducks Ltd. Their second long player, entitled Harm's Way, just dropped and it's an absolute corker. The opening track lets jangly pop fans know that they are home...
London's own Iraina Mancini has a corker of a debut record out called Undo The Blue. There are so many genres present on this album that I honestly find myself at a loss to describe it. One key one is Kennedy Era Cool chanteuse...my fave!
Cue the martinis...
Lil' Yachty's latest record, Let's Start Here, resets all expectations of what rap and hip hop should be. In fact, it strives for and reaches new horizons that I honestly thought wasn't possible for music in general.
The tone is set immediately with the opening track...
K Pop Sensation Soojin have a most excellent EP out called Agassy and I have to say it makes this old lounge lizard happy as heck that people are still making music with an early 60s, Kennedy Era Cool vibe.
Soft and cool...just like a martini...
Laura Veirs latest offering is yet another gem. The record is called Phone Orphans and, once again, the Portland, Oregon native brings her soft sweetness combined with lyrical beauty to the world of music.
Always love the nature themes...
Fusion fans will completely rejoice at the latest offering from Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids. Afro Futuristic Dreams is an enchanting trance of a record that sends my mind palace on mythical journeys into the cosmos and beyond.
Example...
And also fall in love...
His songs explore romance in a very unique way that goes along with his style (Daniel Lanois, Chris Isaak, Ryan Adams).
LeBlanc has a keen sense of the human condition. Combine that with the fact that he is a musician's musician (The Cactus Blossoms attended the show and were standing behind me) and it's a powerful sonic concoction.
Then he and the band cranked it up and played the louder stuff, ending with a four song encore that blew the roof off of the place.
His signature sound of loads of echo really sounded amazing on these heavier songs.
LeBlanc is on tour for the next several weeks. I highly recommend you check out his show when he comes to your town.
The latest EP by K Pop sensations, Kiss of Life, is quite the rager. The dance moves just flow out of you in merely the first few seconds of the record and, quite honestly, lift the spirit...
Mr. Bill Ryder-Jones is quite a treasure of the world. He was in the fab Merseyside band, The Coral, for a while and now he is solo. His latest is Iechyd Da and it makes me feel greatly relieved that someone else sees life the way I do.
Here is one of my faves from the new record...
Green Day is back. Yay! The band that most literally defines Gen X has just offered up Saviors and it's a wonderfully savage way to start off 2024.
All of the usual Green Day vibes are there on this one. Example...
The power of The Streets is massive and never ending. I've been a fan of Mike Skinner's project for nearly two decades. His latest is just bril. The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light delves deeply into the conflicts that we all experience deep in our souls.
Witness...
NYC's Hotline TNT are a shoegaze wonder of an outfit. Their latest is called Carthweel and it's guaranteed to make your dreams come true...while staring intently at your shoes.
Opening track, dreamers!
The Vaccines are back with a corker of a record called Pick-Up Full of Pink Carnations. The West London lads have really outdone themselves on this one. Rollicking tracks combined with pointed and philosophical ruminations.
And the hooks...
It's Friday and that means it's time to start thinking about the club! Well, maybe not for us oldsters but certainly for you younger folks. Heaven Knows by Pinkpantheress is the perfect record to get you ready to dance!
Opening track...
Let's take a journey today to Fife, Scotland and listen to the magnificent new album by King Creosote called I Des. Being a Scot myself, I've always found his music to be spiritually inspiring in an ancestral homeland sort of way.
Perhaps you will feel the same way...even if you aren't a Scot...
The drone y drag of Bar Italia's latest offering, The Twits, is fitting my mood quite nicely in the extended cold snap we are currently experiencing in Minnesota. The London based outfit is leveled up last year with two releases and is currently storming the world with their awesomeness.
Cmat's sophomore effort has been in heavy rotation at my house these last few weeks. Crazymad, For Me is quite a wonder from the Meath, Ireland native. It's also quite cathartic to listen to as she brings out certain, unexplored emotions.
Opening track...
My indie soul is quite sated with the latest release from Allah-Las. The LA outfit has done it again with Zuma 85, a truly great record that touches all of the alternative feels. The sounds out of their guitars are transportative...not sure if that's a word but that's what it feels like!
Here is one of my faves...
The pop and lock power of Jung Kook is most prevalent on his first long player entitled Golden. I honestly feel like he could be the Michael Jackson of the 21st century. He certainly has the global fan following but it's more than that.
He just has a presence...
V (of BTS) has a wonderful solo EP called Layover. The first track is ridiculously romantic and I highly suggest finding that special someone and snuggling up with them on a rainy day while listening to it.
Katie Von Schleicher's latest record, A Little Touch of Schleicher In The Night, is a wispy and wonderful gem of a record. Von Schleicher has reached the zenith of her artistic expression, exploring a wide range of subjects.
Opening track...
Peter Gabriel ruled the 1980's like a powerful colossus stretching over the world. Hit after hit spun out into the world from his various records and we all rejoiced. I/O is his latest and clear cause for more celebration.
The album in all its various versions and mixes is an absolute triumph and return to form for Gabriel. The world is a much better place with his voice out front and center.
Do they make music like they used to back in the day? Yes. Yes, they do. Israel Nash is living proof. His latest is called Ozarker and it harkens back to those days when we could actually hear musicians make mistakes as they jam it out. And it was wonderful!
Opening track...
Loraine James takes my mind and soul to different galaxies on a regular basis. Her latest offering, Gentle Confrontation, is aptly titled. It's mellow AND in your face at the tame time.
Here is one of my faves...
London's own Emma Anderson has, in the most eloquent of ways, managed to capture that 1967 melange of psych pop and lounge while still holding on to her shoegaze roots. Pearlies is quite a lovely record that has sent me on many mind palace journeys...
Here is the opening track...
Richmond, Virginia's own Butcher Brown enters their second decade of making fantastic modern jazz with Solar Music. This record has percolated with me over the past several weeks and I just can't seem let it go!
Opening track...
These last few weeks have seen me taking a deep dive into the latest record by Kacey Johansing. Year Away is simply gorgeous and the pride of Kalamazoo, Michigan (now based in San Francisco) has managed to us all on quite a journey.
Here is one of my faves...
Cherished 80s icons Orchestral Maneuvers In The Dark (OMD for those in the know!) released a completely fab album towards the end of last year. Bauhaus Staircase instantly transports the listener back in time 40 years and all the wonder of that decade explodes to life. The hooks, Clarence...THE HOOKS!
Here is the title track...
