6/12/20 NEW RELEASES
KAYTRANADA – Bubba LP (RCA)
Released digitally in late 2019, the 2nd album by the Canadian producer KAYTRANADA is a true breath of fresh air right now. The idea of hearing this on a packed & sweaty dance floor right now in June 2020 seems like a dream. Effortless & timeless sounding production that will surely make this an instant classic & when we can get back onto the dancefloor, “Bubba” will be there waiting. Features contributions from Mick Jenkins, Kali Uchis, Estelle, Pharrell & more. RECOMMENDED.
THE 1975 – Notes on a Conditional Form LP (Interscope)
The Manchester art rockers THE 1975 are back with their 4th album. This is their longest record yet & it’s definitely their most ambitious one too. Approximately 70 minutes of FUGAZI fueled post-punk, power pop gems ala TEENAGE FANCLUB, electro-pop with nods at RADIOHEAD’S epic 2000s run & a number of instrumental interludes, often orchestral that have a “Discreet Music” era ENO vibe. This is definitely one of those “let’s try everything” records.
SONIC BOOM – All Things Being Equal LP (Carpark) ltd. edition w/ poster + print
“All Things Being Equal” is Peter Kember’s first album as SONIC BOOM since 1989 (NINETEEN EIGHTY-NINE!), and the ex-SPACEMEN 3 guitarist’s return is a triumphant one. Reinforced by an army of analog synthesizers and an almost subversive positivity, Kember takes this project in bright, soulful directions, shining like a ray of summer sunshine in the darker times of 2020. This is quite the welcome return. RECOMMENDED!
WESTERMAN – Your Hero Is Not Dead LP/CD (Partisan)
London’s WESTERMAN channels 80s alt-pop luminaries like PETER GABRIEL and ARTHUR RUSSELL with deceptively easy vocal hooks and arrangements that are simultaneously spacious and lush. Utilizing limber guitar work, warm synths and a snappy, syncopated combination of claps, box percussion and drum machines, this debut finds a way to channel the longing and nostalgia of the past without leaning heavily on its most obvious tropes. These songs are inventive and intuitive, easy to love because the patterns make sense without being obvious, so this comes HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Other important new releases
JEHNNY BETH (of SAVAGES) – To Love Is To Live LP (20L07) ltd. red vinyl
BIBIO – Sleep On The Wing LP (Warp)
DIET CIG – Do You Wonder About Me? LP (French Kiss)
DJ BORING – Like Water 12” (Technicolor)
PETER GABRIEL – Rated PG LP (Real World)
LIAM GALLAGHER – MTV Unplugged LP (Warner) splatter vinyl
GODEN – Beyond Darkness LP (Svart)
GUERILLA TOSS – Jay Glass Dubs VS Guerilla Toss 12” (DFA)
HINDS – The Prettiest Curse LP/CD (Mom + Pop) available in red or blue vinyl
NORAH JONES – Pick Me Up Off the Floor LP/CD (Blue Note)
KIDBUG – Kidbug LP (Joyful Noise)
KING DIAMOND – Conspiracy LP (Metal Blade)
KING DIAMOND – The Eye LP (Metal Blade)
KING DIAMOND – Them LP (Metal Blade)
LA PRIEST – GENE LP (Domino)
LIVING GATE – Deathlust LP (Relapse)
KATIE MALCO – Failures LP (6131)
MASERATI – Enter the Mirror LP (Temporary Residence)
NEW FOUND GLORY – Forever & Ever X Infinity LP (Hopeless)
IGGY POP – The Idiot 2CD deluxe edition (UMC)
REVENGE – Strike.Smother.Dehumanize LP (Season of Mist)
ULRICH SCHNAUSS – A Long Way to Fall – Rebound LP (Scripted Realities)
THE STROPPIES – Look Alive! LP (Tough Love) ltd. green vinyl
SWEET SPIRIT – Trinidad LP (Merge)
TRIPTYKON – Requiem: Live at Roadburn 2019 LP/DVD (Century Media)
24-CARAT BLACK – III LP (Numero)