5/28/21 NEW RELEASES
BLACK MIDI – Cavalcade LP/CD (Rough Trade) black vinyl or limited picture disc
These London lads had certainly built up quite a bit of anticipation for the follow-up to their 2019 debut “Schlagenheim”… and folks? They deliver. “Cavalcade” is certainly more structured (though no less frenetic) than its predecessor, building not from improvisation but more from tight prog compositions that touch on jazz fusion, folk-pop and even crooner ballads. Still, the band remains essentially noisy, pulling from HENRY COW, BOREDOMS, LIGHTNING BOLT and even a bit of John Wetton / Bill Bruford-era KING CRIMSON to make one of the best experimental rock records of the young decade so far. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
CAN – Live in Stuttgart 1975 3LP/2CD (Mute) orange vinyl
“Live in Stuttgart 1975” is the debut release in a planned series of live albums by the legendary German group CAN. This recording is a remaster of a semi-legendary bootleg supervised by keyboardist Irmin Schmidt. Five long-form instrumental jams recorded just after the release of “Landed.” Considering the era this recording sounds pretty darn good. RECOMMENDED!
CZARFACE & MF DOOM – Super What LP/CD (Silver Age)
SUPER WHAT? The final collaboration between Hip Hop’s Greatest Super Villains, the Metal Face Despot & the Villainous Hero Czarface. The two acts have committed great capers, both together & separately, leaving the Rap world shaking in fear as the dastardly rhyme evil-doers destroy beat after booming beat with the technical wizardry only available in a world defined by four colors on the page. Here in your hands, listeners, you hold the last living crimes of MF DOOM, the greatest villain!
ALL HAIL DOOM!
LOSCIL – Clara LP/CD (Kranky)
Scott Morgan returns with his fantastic LOSCIL project for the 2021 album “Clara.” Morgan sourced the album from just a 3 minute recording of an orchestra & Budapest & manipulated it into 10 beautiful tracks & drone washes, some Badalamenti esque/Lynchian pieces & electronic cut-ups that make for a truly beautiful listen. RECOMMENDED.
MUSTAFA – When Smoke Rises LP/CD (Regent Park Songs) black or limited green vinyl
Toronto-based poet MUSTAFA AHMED has also dipped his toes into songwriting, crafting airy-yet-cathartic pop and folk music that incorporates tasteful electronic arrangements and focuses on the struggles of grief and daily life for black people (and black immigrants) in Canada. Featuring support work from both JAMIE XX and SAMPHA, this still stands alone as a fully realized debut. Really nice stuff on MUSTAFA’s own Regent Park Songs label.
PORTAL – Avow LP/CD (Profound Lore)
The dark & mysterious Australian death metallers PORTAL returns with their sixth album. PORTAL’s music has always been technical & complex but there’s always enough to grab into to stop you from totally falling into their abyss. These guys are still one of the most unique metal bands going. RECOMMENDED.
REIGNING SOUND – A Little More Time With Reigning Sound LP/CD (Merge) limited “Peak Vinyl” yellow & green swirl
The first album from REIGNING SOUND since “Shattered” in 2014 rewards the wait, showcasing their signature blend of garage and Americana with arrangements that are fairly lush (pedal steel, cello, Hammond organ). A welcome return for these guys on Merge.
OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES
ASSAULT & BATTERY – Complete Session, May 1981 LP (Alona’s Dream)
CAAMP – Live from Newport Music Hall LP (Mom + Pop) limited coke bottle clear vinyl
DUNGEN – Ta Det Lugnt 2LP (Subliminal Sounds) limited splatter vinyl reissue
EVIL I – Official Bootleg – 1983 LP (Alona’s Dream) limited green vinyl
DONALD FAGEN – Nightfly LP (Warner)
GHASTLY – Mercurial Passages LP black or color vinyl
GREEN DAY – Nimrod LP (Reprise)
HIDE – Interior Terror LP (Dais) limited color of black vinyl
DALE JENKINS – Undesirable Element (Got Kinda Lost)
LES RALLIZES DENUDES – France Demos LP (Take Acid it Is)
MADVILLAIN – Madvillainy 2LP (Stones Throw) finally available again!
MOTOR CITY DRUM ENSEMBLE – fabric Presents Danilo Plessow 2LP (fabric)
MUSLIMGAUZE – Narcotic LP (Staalplaat)
PARAMORE – Riot! LP (Fueled by Ramen) silver vinyl reissue
PORTER ROBINSON – Nurture 2LP (Mom + Pop) clear vinyl
TAYLOR SWIFT – Evermore LP (Republic) green vinyl
TŌTH – You & Me & Everything LP (Northern Spy) limited white vinyl
KANYE WEST – Ye LP (Def Jam) back in print!
V/A – Indaba Is 2LP (Brownswood)
V/A – JUGOTON FUNK VOL. 1 LP (Everland)