The Get Up Kids "Problems (Polyvinyl)"
Chances are you already know what you think of this new album from The Get Up Kids. I mean, it is their first album in 8 years. But chances are if you are a fan you’ve been filling that long gap in with their back catalog. If that’s the case, then you are in for a real treat because Problems (Polyvinyl) fits right in with their great past works. Anthemic choruses, melodies and lyrics you’ll be singing along to in no time, and more pop-punk guitar lines than you can shake a stick at. Also, put down that stick! You’re inside! Sticks are for the outside you heathen! Pay attention to the music! This is some positively soaring new music from emo forefathers The Get Up Kids, and they are here to show the kids how you really emo. Check out the positively danceable self-reflection of “The Problem Is Me.”
Tōth "Practice Magic and Seek Professional Help When Necessary (Northern Spy)"
Tōth, the new projects from Alex Toth of Rubblebucket and Alexander F came about after he broke his foot during an Alexander F performance. Locked away in his apartment mending that broken foot, along with his broken heart (he and his Rubblebucket partner had recently broken up as well) he started writing the stripped down acoustic songs that make up Practice Magic and Seek Professional Help When Necessary (Northern Spy). The songs are lush but sparse, with occasional trumpet solos from Alex, who is a jazz trumpeter by training. If the Beach Boys wrote a stripped-down break-up record, the results wouldn’t be too off from this. Check out the absolutely lovely “Song To Make You Fall In Love With Me.”
Sequoyah Murray "Penalties Of Love 12″ (Thrill Jockey)"
Penalties Of Love is the new EP from Atlanta’s Sequoyah Murray. A mixture of modern soul, hip-hop, east African music, and the music of Arthur Russell. The result is an artistic, soulful collection of songs. So, of course, this release is coming to us from Thrill Jockey… Wait a sec… *checks notes* Uh… yeah… this is a soul EP on Thrill Jockey… huh. You think you know someone, right? I’m glad that we can still be surprised by our friends! His experimentalist and multi-instrumentalist skills are on full display here, as are his smooth baritone vocals–it makes total sense that he’s toured in support of Xiu Xiu in the past. Surely, this is just the start of something big from the talented 21-year-old. So while we wait for a full length check out the slow build of “Penalties Of Love.”
Simon Bonney "Past, Present, Future (Mute)"
Believe it or not, it’s been 25 years since Crime and the City Solution’s Simon Bonney released his last solo album, 1994’s Everyman (which followed 1992’s equally loved Forever.) Somehow, the wait for new music from the Australian mastermind who’s been compared to everyone from Chris Issac to Roy Orbison is back with Past, Present, Future (Mute). This record collects some of his favorites from those two aforementioned releases, as well as 6 new songs! Plus, this comes with the promise of a new full-length release in the near future! What a time! Check out the moody, cinematic sounds of “Eyes Of Blue.”