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...
