Moon Duo "Stars Are The Light (Sacred Bones)"
If you are in the mood for some exceedingly bubbly, psychedelic disco good times, then look no further than the newest release from Moon Duo. Stars Are The Light (Sacred Bones) finds the duo indulging every danceable instinct they’ve ever left off of their prior LPs. The mesmerizing result is a wavey, trippy celebration of grooves and grooviness. I know, this isn’t exactly what we’ve come to expect from Moon Duo, but what fun is being predictable? A heady mix of the aforementioned disco, throw in some 90s rave music, and mix that with their signature guitar lines, and this is a guaranteed good time. Check out the head-nodding “The World And The Sun.”
Alessandro Cortini "Volume Massimo (Mute)"
As the keyboard player for Nine Inch Nails, Alessandro Cortini has done… well… I’m assuming you know what that sounds like. But what of his latest solo album, Volume Massimo (Mute)? Well, if you can imagine an instrumental Nine Inch Nails at their most melodic, pretty, and sensitive, you have a good idea of what’s going on here. Swirling layers of perfectly programed synths with minimal percussion, this is like an otherworldly dream of an album. Check out the haunting tension of “Amore Amaro.”
Beak> "Life Goes On EP (Temporary Residence)"
Just a handful of months since the release of their 3rd full-length LP, Beak> are back> with a blistering> blast> of 4 new tracks on the Life Goes On EP. The trio, consisting of Geoff Barrow, Will Young, and Billy Fuller have, to these two ears at least, never sounded better. There tunes have always been a little strange, but these congeal in a way that feels fresher than ever. Each song quivers in analog brilliance, with hints of vintage reggae, Krautrock, prog-y syncopation, and every other amazing thing that should be in every good record collection. Check out the aching, alien guitars of “We Can Go.”
Vivian Girls "Memory (Polyvinyl)"
Though its been a minute since the Vivan Girls graces our speakers… (ok headphones… ok, FINE earpods. OK FINE KNOCKOFF EARPODS LEAVE ME ALONE!) their new LP Memory (Polyvinyl) is as surprising, vital, and fun as anything (and everything) they’ve ever done. After the release of 2011’s Share The Joy the band never stopped making music, they just weren’t doing so with each other. Katy Goodman with La Sera, Ali Koehler with Best Coast, and Cassie Ramone with The Babies. Eventually, the three women found themselves making music together again and Memory is the result of those secret practice/writing/recording sessions. (Personal note: not for nothing, but I really love this album and the drum fade-in during “Lonely Girl” is one of my favorite music moments of 2019.) Check out the sinister bounce of the hypnotic “Sick.”