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...
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...
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...
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 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 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...
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!
The pride of Brighton is back! The Kooks have a new record out called 10 Tracks To Echo In The Dark and it is marvelous. The album continues the band's exploration of synth soul and pop while still retaining their "dudes with guitars" street cred. The Kooks continue to be cornerstones of Brit Rock with this wonderful entry into the pantheon of holy music.
Here is one of fave tracks...classic Kooks!
Compton's own Steve Lacy is a musical pioneer. And he's exploring horizons that most musicians only dream of seeking. His sophomore effort, Gemini Rights, is an exquisite kiss of music history in terms of genre and style. As always, his guitar work is stellar.
Here is one of my faves...
I'm bookending this week with another selection from Ryan Adams. Chris is the third of a trilogy of albums that were originally due to come out in 2019. Wednesdays and Big Colors, the first two chapters, set a tone of dark Americana that is lost due to love, life, and a world that doesn't exist anymore.
Chris is a heartfelt tribute to a close friend of Adams who is no longer with us. It has the same late 70s/early 80s radio sound that all of his most recent albums share. It's a common thread of nostalgia for a place lost in the ashes of time and that's honestly pretty fucking sad.
Here is the title track...
How many albums can Ryan Adams release over a year-long period? The answer seems to be as many as he fucking wants to release. FM is the third release of 2022 alone and the fourth over the last year if you count 2021's Big Colors.
His latest effort sees him once again diving deeply into that radio sound of the late 70s and early 80s. FM could easily be one of those records that everyone in your high school bought that day it came out and wore it out from play just a few months later.
It's nostalgia for a time that was but never was...
NYC's own Interpol is back with another stellar album filled with indie goodness. The Other Side Of Make-Believe delivers for fans and newcomers alike with its dark yet poppy, drone-y yet uplifting vibe.
Here is a sample...
The heart and soul of Port Harcourt, Nigeria is back with yet another stellar record. Burna Boy is a STAR. Love, Damini is an instant classic, and the main reason why is its diversity in style. Pop, rap, beat, hip hop, and a deep hometown sound are all present on this record.
There are many guests on this album and I think my fave is the track with Ed Sherhan.
The Fixx is a truly amazing band. They are an 80s pop sensation who is quite beloved by fans of that era for their big hits. Yet the London lads have continued to make relevant music into the 21st century. Their latest record, Every Five Seconds, is easily as good as their first three albums (all masterpieces). Ten tracks of modern nostalgia.
Here is one of my faves...
I haven't done a Throwback Thursday in far too long and Frisco's Journey has been in heavy rotation on all of my playing devices of late so here we go.
When I was growing up and listening to that crappy old Realistic radio my mom gave me, WLS out of Chicago played these two tracks constantly. Both were hits but not as huge as later songs would be. Honestly, they helped to shape my first romantic thoughts.
For me, this is Journey.
Guitar legend and art rock god Adrian Belew is back with a fantastic new record called Elevator. It warms my heart that Belew is back making solo records again. His latest showcases his diverse style and insane ingenuity, especially on guitar.
Example? The opening track...
Art Rock juggernauts Porcupine Tree are back after a 13 year absence and I most thankful. The Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire lads continue their magic with Closure/Continuation. Their latest has a decidedly more heavy tone in both theme and style. All of their signature sonic explorations are present, though, and Wilson's voice still sends me on cosmic journeys to other galaxies.
Here is the opening track.
The phrase "they don't make music like they used to" no longer applies. There are multiple retro bands spanning all sorts of old-school genres that have been making music for the last several years.
One of the best is Saskatoon's own The Sheepdogs. They sound like they fell out of a Volkswagon van in the year 1974. Their latest is called Outta Sight and it truly is...
Here is the opening track.
Loud and raucous. That's how I like music from time to time. The Viagra Boys fit that bill perfectly. Their latest record is called Cave World and it's incredibly obnoxious (in a good way) from the beginning.
Here is my favorite track...