Swim Deep: There's A Big Star Outside

Birmingham's own Swim Deep make me happy. And warm and fuzzy inside. Their fourth long player dropped this month and it's pure Brit Rock bliss. It makes one float!

Opening track...

Shannon And The Clams: The Moon Is In The Wrong Place

The garage punk stylings of Oakland's Shannon And The Clams are fitting my groove just right these days. Their latest is called The Moon Is In The Wrong Place and this time around they've added some "under the boardwalk" type music to their lexicon.

Check it out!

DIIV: Frog in Boiling Water

Shoegazers of the world-be happy! DIIV has a new record out and it is fantabulous!! Frog In Boiling Water is quite the charmer, sending one's mind and soul to other planets! This band is growing into something truly spectacular...

Wallows: Model

Fans of those wonderful "dudes with guitars" bands can rejoice because LA's Wallows is back with a spanking great new LP. Model is their best yet with a whole collection of banging tracks guaranteed to knock your socks right on your ass!

Opening track...

Twenty-One Pilots: Clancy (Album of the Week)

My father was my own personal Jim Morrison. He introduced me to the foundation of what is my music taste today (largely British rock from the 1960s and 1970s). I, in turn, showed him the glory of 80s music from U2 and REM to the great synth pop bands like Tears For Fears and Duran Duran. I have a similar musical relationship with my own kids. I laid out a foundation for them and they have reciprocated with introducing me to some very fine artists making music today. It is most synergistic. 

One of the outfits I learned about from my kids is Twenty One Pilots. Their latest record is called Clancy and it proves a very central fact about them: they are an absolute fucking force of nature. Their entire catalog is a must have in any and all forms. Their latest is a gem added to their magnificent lexicon of awesomeness. 

The album opens with a very deep exploration of the soul, most typical of this artist...

A perfect club banger!

The introspection of this duo has no limits...

I also love how they recognize the history of music...and love...

Cage The Elephant: Neon Pill

Cage The Elephant is back and the Bowling Green, Kentucky lads have really outdone themselves on this one. Neon Pill is pitch perfect alternative grist along with several shout outs to 1970s soul and rock. I really love what the lads have done on this one!

Opening track...

Bodega: Our Brand Could Be Yr Life

NYC's Bodega has a new record out called Our Brand Could Be Yr. Life and I find it quite refreshing. The main reason for this is that it's a concept album aimed at social commentary on our Tik Tok y world. I love the narration between tracks!

Dehd: Poetry

Ah, the jangly guitars of indie rock. They get me every time. That's why I really heart the latest from Chicago's own Dehd. Poetry is the genre at its finest, complete with exquisite commentary on love, life and heartache.

Opening track...

Crowded House: Gravity Stairs (Album of the Week)

Crowded House is a band that has been the soundtrack to my life for the last forty years. That's well over seventy five percent of the time I've been on this planet. And that means that each of their releases have been an integral part of whatever particular phase was happening at the time. 

When I think about what was going on during these various periods, I hear Crowded House. From the early records during my time in college to their later albums that came out when my kids were growing up, they have always been there just like a loving and supporting family member, coloring events with their amazing music.

Their latest is called Gravity Stairs and it comes to me at the empty nester phase of my life. Several of the tracks have held some deep connections with me as I reminisce about the past and how it plays into the present. 

Here is a great example...

My wife and I feel like we are having teenage summers now that it's just the two of us. 

Crowded House also has a mysterious side that is often haunting...

Truly a mystical track that taps directly into the soul. 

The album closes with this incredibly lovely track that feels like family...

Thanks, lads, for your amazing music that has been the soundtrack for my life for so long and continues to be a big part of my world to this very day!

Ibibo Sound Machine: Pull The Rope

London's own Ibibo Sound Machine has been in heavy rotation in my house and beyond for the past several weeks so it's time for a shout out. Their latest is called Pull The Rope and it's a ripping groove fest of awesomeness. There is a loveliness to it that is quite honestly unparalleled. 

One of my faves...

The Avett Brothers: The Avett Brothers

I guess I'm on a folk rock kick this week hence the highlighting of the latest record by proud sons of Concord, North Carolina The Avett Brothers. The self titled record leans heavily into country and I love it!

One of my faves...

Angus & Julia Stone: Cape Forestier

Angus and Julia Stone are quite the treasures of the folk community. The Australian duo has a new record out called Cape Forestier which I feel is their best yet. Twelve tracks of heart warming goodness! 

Opening track...

Pet Shop Boys: Nonetheless (Album Of The Summer)

80's music always sounds better in the summer. That's when we Gen-Xers would haul out our portable trannies or Sony Walkmans and head outside for adventure with the best soundtrack ever in the history of music. London's Pet Shop Boys were a big part of that and so, it is with great honor, that I have chosen their latest offering as the Album of the Summer.

Nonetheless is a stellar record. It reminds me of that golden age of music when synths and rhythm set the tone and told the story. The first track lets the listener know where they will be traveling...

The next track just sent nostalgic shivers up and down my spine...

And then we have the club number...

Folks, this record will be your theme music for the summer!

Zayn: Room Under The Stairs

The pop stylings of Zayn have taken a decidedly soulful turn on his latest record. The Bradford, West Yorkshire lad has really come into his own on Room Under The Stairs. I highly recommend this record for fans of pop and soul alike!

Opening track...

Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard And Soft

The sheer emo-ness of Billie Eilish makes her a national treasure. Simply no one makes music like her. Her latest is called Hit Me Hard and Soft and the Los Angeles native continues to hit me in place where I didn't even know I had places.

Opening track..

Camera Obscura: Look To The East, Look To The West

True Scots Camera Obscura are back with a wonderful record called Look To The East, Look To The West. It's their first full length in eleven years and it's well worth the wait. The happy fun glimmer pop shines throughout all eleven tracks. There's even a dash of lounge which I love!

Opening track...

The Lemon Twigs: A Dream Is All We Know

The Lemon Twigs remind us all of time that nearly all old people miss...the 1970's! Their latest is called A Dream Is All We Know and it positively drips with that decade. Art fueled nostalgia that makes me yearn for the past yet has come out in the present is eternally amazing. 

Here is the title track...

Bnny: One Million Love Songs

Chicago has produced a plethora of amazing bands over the years and Bnny is one of the best. Their latest is called One Million Love Songs and it's indie rock at its finest. The voice if Jessica Viscius pierces the soul...

St. Vincent: All Born Screaming

St. Vincent's latest record plays like one long and amazing soundtrack to the next James Bond film. All Born Screaming is a tour de force in every sense of the word. I don't like using that phrase all that often but nothing else aptly can characterize how wonderful this record is.

Witness...

Paul Weller: 66 (Album of the Week)

The Modfather is back! His latest record is called 66 and it just so happens that this is now his age. There is zero doubt that Paul Weller has aged like a fine wine. 66 sees all the usual and wonderful Weller explorations from pastorals and club music to dad rock and all the way through just great pop songs.

The first track that really sunk in was this haunting number...

It just hits the soul...

"Flying Fish" reminds of 2010-2012 Weller (Wake Up The Nation, Sonik Kicks)

And then just the pure MOD ROCK!

I make no bones about how Weller is second only to John Lennon in my world but 66 is a record for everyone. Start listening!

Dua Lipa: Radical Optimism

Dua Lipa makes me happy when I listen to her music. For starters, it's just good fucking pop music. You can tall that she carefully crafts each track so it's just right. Her latest record follows this recipe and it's divine. Radical Optimism is a great album and a lifestyle...

Opening track...

Sam Evian: Plunge

NYC'S Sam Evian's latest is called Plunge and its indie pop goodness has been most enjoyable to me of late. It has a psychedelic feel to it that reminds me of solo Beatles records. Or maybe just the 70s in general. Check it out! 

Opening track...