Hot Chip: Freakout/Release

London synth pop dance kings Hot Chip are back with Freakout/Release, another amazing foray into late night club sweat and grooves. There are also some solid pop tracks on this record that remind me of late 70s AM radio.

Example.

James: Born of Frustration (Autumn Music Series)

It's that time of the year again...my favorite season...FALL! And that means the Autumn Music Series is back. Time to find that special someone and curl up by the fire or take a walk in about to be very crunchy leaves and listen to some fantastic autumnal music. 

First up is a classic track from 1991 from Manchester's own James. "Born of Frustration" has the essential echo-y guitar and haunting lyrics that must be present in a fall tune. It's quite powerful!

As always, click the tag below for the perfect playlist. 

Key: Gasoline-The 2Nd Album (Album of the Week)

Key from K-Pop sensation Shinee, has just released his sophomore effort and it's one of my favorites in the genre. Gasoline-The 2Nd Album is filled with bangers and crowd pleasers. It's just solid pop music. Key does an amazing job of mixing up rhythms and styles. The cinematic hooks are completely wonderful. 

Here is my favorite track on the record...

 I'm a novice to K-Pop and am really enjoying diving deeper and deeper into this amazing style of music.

Kikagaku Moyo: Kumoyo Island

The pride of Tokyo, Kikagaku Moyo, has released yet another amazing exploration of psychedelic pop. Kumoyo Island is their finest record yet. Kick back and let your mind palace open with these eleven transplendent tracks. 

Here is the opening track...

The Chats: Get Fucked

Raw and powerful. Those are two words I would use to characterize Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia wonders The Chats. Their sophomore effort, Get Fucked, turns it up to eleven. It's as if a band formed from the world of a Mad Max film. Thank god!

Here is the album opener...

Zara Larsson: Poster Girl

Sometimes I'm just a sucker for good pop. Zara Larsson's latest album, Poster Girl, fits the bill perfectly. The Stockholm native is a spiritual sister to Saint Etienne with her own flavors added in for extra zest! You just can't stop Poster Girl in the middle. You have to go all the way through The whole record is start-to-finish amazing! 

Here is one of my faves...

Muse: Will of the People (Album of the Week)

The titans of Teignmouth, Devon are back and proving once again why they are the kings of Glam Rock. Will of the People by Muse is a "back to what we do best" record with all the drive and energy of their first four records. Headbangers and electronic thrusts of sheer power!

Here is one of my faves...

 

Sylvan Esso: No Rules Sandy

I guess we'll make this weekend an electronic music thing with a peek at Sylvan Esso's latest record called No Rules Sandy. It's a lot of really cool short tracks that are not only catchy but also could be a soundtrack to a cyberpunk movie set in a place with a village green. Dare I say that some of it sounds almost autumnal.

Check it out...

Hudson Mohawke: Cry Sugar

Some classify Glasgow's Hudson Mohawke as "electronic music" but he's quite a lot more than that. He continually pushes the boundaries of the genre into pop, soul, and even an 80s vibe. His latest is called Cry Sugar and it is magnificent.

Here is one of my faves.

Jamie T: The Theory of Whatever (Album of the Week)

It's always a fine week when the pride of South London releases a new record. Jamie T is back with The Theory of Whatever, another amazing exploration in the world of pop music. He's pushing the boundaries of the genre once again with rap-infused bangers and a decidedly chill-out vibe.

Here is the opening track...

Domi and Jd Beck: Not Tight

Sometimes I'm in the mood for weird electronic music that reminds me of a 70's lounge combined with a cyberpunk fever dream. Thankfully, Domi and Jd Beck can deliver this exact style to me with their amazing music. Their latest is called Not Tight and it has many tracks.

Here is one of the best...

Kasabian: The Alchemist's Euphoria

Leicester's own Kasabian are back with an absolute corker of a record that pulses like a sun going supernova. The Alchemist's Euphoria moves and grooves in all the best ways. It's hard to believe that this Brit Rock outfit has made seven records already! 

Here is one of my faves from the album...

Jack White: Entering Heaven Alive (Album of the Week)

Jack White is a national treasure and an officially venerated icon of rock and roll. His latest record illustrates why this is the case. 

Entering Heaven Alive is pure rock goodness, encapsulating pretty much the entirety of the genre's history. White switches effortlessly from Zep dripped 70s arena rock to a Neil Young in the 1990's vibe. And then, just as suddenly, he's sounding like a cross between Bach and the Small Faces!

Here is the opening track...

Calvin Harris: Funk Wav Bounces Vol.2

The chill grooves of Calvin Harris's latest jam are suiting me just fine right now. Funk Wav Bounces Vol.2 is an absolutely perfect soundtrack for 1am third wind rides into the beauty of the late night/early morning mist. 

Ride, brothers and sisters...

C. Duncan: Alluvium (Album of the Week)

C Duncan is the pride of Glasgow. His latest record is called Alluvium and it represents a new high in terms of cinematic music. It's just so...beautiful. Honestly, I was moved to tears about halfway through the third track ("We Have A Lifetime") and its sheer wonder.

Here is the opening track...

 

Tallies: Patina

Toronto's own Tallies latest offering has been in heavy rotation in my house since it dropped a few weeks ago. Patina shimmers like a bright star and is cosmic journey awesome. It's great guitar jangle pop for really any occasion.

Here is the opening track...

Cuco: Fantasy Getaway

The pride of Hawthorne, California is back with an amazing record called Fantasy Getaway. Cuco has brought lounge lizard electronica to Mount Everest-like heights. 

I want to chill within this vibe forever...

The Sadies: Colder Streams

The Sadies are a Toronto gem. Their latest, Colder Streams, is a fantastic foray into psychedelic pop. Cosmic mind journeys are abundant on this record which amazingly marks their fourth decade on the scene. 

Here is the opening track...

Lizzo: Special (Album of the Week)

Lizzo is amazing! And she's from my hometown of Minneapolis!! Her latest release is called Special and it is that indeed. I just love how honest she is in all her lyrics. Zero filter is always the best way to go.

She truly is the future of R&B and with each release I can see this artist achieving Everest like heights and beyond. 

Here is the title track...

Lil Silva: Yesterday Is Heavy

Bedford's own Lil Sliva has just released his sophomore effort and it is truly a gem of electronic music. Yesterday is Heavy is chill and danceable at the same time, reminding me a lot of Friendly Fires. The sonic mindscapes he creates are crazy in their expansiveness.

You must "Be Cool" and buy this record!