Waxahatchee: Saint Cloud

Birmingham, Alabama's own Waxahatchee has their fifth full-length record out and it's been very comforting to me these last few days. I took Saint Cloud with me on a long run on the trail near my house and, with the sun beaming down on my head, my mood was lifted massively. Katie Crutchfield, the leader of the project, spins eleven heartfelt tales of hell, witches, war and, of course, love.

Here's the second track, a very appropriate song for our times.

Monophonics Make Me Happy

San Francisco's own Monophonics are filling up my soul with soul music these days. Their new record, It's Only Us, is a heartfelt rendering of late '60s/early 70's soul that is so fucking good it makes me weep with joy.



It's great to see so many soul bands out there now reviving the genre. Add Monoponics to this list...

Durand Jones and the Indications
Curtis Harding
Michael Kiwanuka
Leon Bridges

...and you have the five great soul bands of 2020 that you should be listening to.

Brian Fallon: Local Honey

Ex-Gaslight Anthem frontman Brian Fallon has a new record out called Local Honey. It's his third solo effort and we're honestly seeing some real growth as an artist. His themes are more mature as he deals with changes in his own life that speak to all of us. I can remember being a dad for the first time and he really nails it with the opening track.



It's a hauntingly beautiful record. Check it out!

Caribou: Suddenly (Album of the Week)

It's a warm day in the North Woods and Caribou's latest record, Suddenly, is reminding me of the summer that is to come. Yes, that's right, I'm feeling nostalgic for a time that hasn't happened yet!

The Dundas, Ontario native employs a wide variety of musical watercolors to create a veritable cornucopia of aural delight. The genre of soul is particularly strong with this one. But there's also some late-night chill out that makes me yearn for those 2am quiet moments with a loved one. Check it out!

San Cisco: Flaws EP

San Cisco has been a passion band of mine for just shy of a decade now. They make very heartfelt, soulful, and immensely fun pop music. Through their three full-lengths and several EPs, the King George, Freemantle outfit has shown tremendous growth in musical styles and diversity. My hometown of Minneapolis is a favorite spot for the group to stop so I've been spoiled over the years and have seen them four times live.

Their latest effort is an EP called Flaws. As all of their releases are, it's amazing. Here is one of the four tracks.

Moaning: Make It Stop (Track of the Week)

It's been a while since I picked a track of the week. I thought this was a good one given the state of the world right now. I give you the Los Angeles based banded, Moaning.

Morrissey: I Am Not A Dog On Your Chain (Album of the Week)

The Moz is back with a new record and that makes this Brit obsessive most happy. I Am Not A Dog On Your Chain has all the choice themes, styles and hacks one would expect from a Morrissey record. He knows how to do this and we should all just absorb it and be thankful.

Circa Waves:Sad Happy

It's a great time for some pop fun and Liverpool's own Circa Waves fit that bill perfectly. Their fourth long-player was released last Friday and it's amazingly wonderful. The songs perfectly encapsulate the duality of man. We are sad and we are happy, often at the same time!

Cornershop: England Is A Garden

Leicester's own Cornershop are back and more psychedelic than ever with their latest release, England Is A Garden. It's 12 amazing tracks of tripped out, Indian tinged pop. Tjinder Singh really outdid himself with this one.

The Districts: You Know I'm Not Going Anywhere (Album of the Week)

As most of the world chills at home, music will play a large part in coping with social distancing. I plan on posting every day to get me through this crazy time. So, let's start off with my Album of the Week!

The Districts hail from Lititz, Pennsylvania, and their shimmer indie-pop is perfect for kicking back in a comfy chair and drifting off into peaceful bliss. They have some upbeat tracks on the record as well.  Check it out!

The Big Moon: Walking Like We Do (Album of the Week)

The Big Moon are a fab London outfit that released their second LP in January. Walking Like We Do builds on their amazing first record (Love in the 4th Dimension) in terms of new pop exploration. It's been one of those slow absorbers for me that seeps in over weeks and then finally takes hold in my soul.

Here is one of my favorite tracks from the record

Noel Gallagher: Blue Moon Rising

Noel Gallagher has been all about EP's lately and that's just dandy with me. His latest is Blue Moon Rising and continues his exploration into psychedelic dance music. He's very keen on journey based themes and style these days. These explorations really illustrate his growth as an artist.

Who needs Oasis with stuff like this?

Sarah Harmer: Are You Gone (Album of the Week)

I'm completely in love with Sarah Harmer's latest release, Are You Gone. The Burlington, Ontario native has taken me under her spell with her stories of St. Peter's Bay, shoemakers, love, heartache, nights out at bars, and squeaking voices. I've always been a sucker for good stories in the songs I love and Harmer is simply stellar at weaving fascinating yarns.

This record is in immediate contention for Album of the Year and I can't wait to listen to it in the fall as it is perfect for that season!

 

La Roux: 21st Century (Track of the Week)

La Roux has a certain innate coolness about them. Sure, they are from London and that place is cool but it's more than that. They are hip and happy-go-lucky at the same time, something that is quite difficult to achieve. 

Their latest effort, Supervision, starts out with the mega fun track, "21st Century." Go dance!

 

Tame Impala: The Slow Rush (Album of the Week 3 of 3)

Perth's own Tame Impala is back with a corker of a record. The Slow Rush expands Kevin Parker's musical soundscapes to an even greater degree. Think of the film How The West Was Won in three screen Cinerama!

As with all of his records, the listener goes on a journey into parts both known and unknown within their own, unique mind palace. There is no plan except to see sounds, hear colours, and trip the fuck out!

Tennis: Swimmer (Album of the Week 2 of 3)

When I first heard of Denver's own Tennis, I'll admit that I was interested merely because I play the sport of tennis. But their pop hooks won me over immediately anyway so who cares how I found them?

Their latest release, Swimmer, is so much fun. It makes me feel like summer on the inside, something I sorely need right now with sub zero temps in the North Woods. I plan on playing this album in July as I am walking around Lake of the Isles and feeling the warm sun beat down on my face...

 

Huey Lewis and The News: Weather (Album of the Week 1 of 3)

Last Friday, I downloaded three albums and they were all biblical. I couldn't decide which one to pick so I am choosing all three for this week. First up is Huey Lewis and the News, San Francisco pop wonders from the 80's, back to full strength with their 10th full length record, Weather.

Waves of nostalgia washed over me as I took in this seven track treasure. The album even sounds like it was mixed in the 80's which was obviously the intent. Go get this record now!!!

Blossoms: Foolish Loving Spaces (Album of the Week)

Greater Manchester's own Blossoms are back with their second full length record and it's the perfect soundtrack with which to dream of spring. In fact, I'm declaring this corker of an album my pick for Spring 2020. Check out this track...


Can't you just feel the flowers bloom?

The Courteeners: More. Again. Forever. (Track of the Week)

Middleton's favorite sons, The Courteeners, are back with an exciting new record called More. Again. Forever. The title track is bloody mags for late-night dance parties and grinding with your favorite hottie.

Go find them and rip it up!

 

Bombay Bicycle Club: Everyone Else Has Gone Wrong (Album of the Week)

London's own Bombay Bicycle Club is back with their fifth full length entitled Everyone Else Has Gone Wrong. I have to say that I feel like that more and more these days so the overall theme of the record immediately sucked me in. Happy, fun pop tunes are Bombay's raison d'etre and they have certainly perfected it on this record. Eleven tracks of head shaking and toe-tapping perfection!