Past Releases

Joell Ortiz "Monday (Mello)"

For all I know, Joell Ortiz and Garfield the cat have tons of stuff in common. I have no idea if Joell loves lasagna, hates Nermal, or sits AROUND the house. But I do know one thing on which they diverge… Joell Ortiz LOVES Mondays. They feel like a new beginning to him every week. Dtill though, I would hope Garfield would like Joell’s hype beats and rhymes more than his least-favorite day. After all, Joell has a way of staying positive even in adversity here, uplifting himself and others with his obviously positive outlook. Even if he’s pissed, he’s still doing his best. It says in the PR for Monday (Mello) that he doesn’t want to seem like a superhero here despite his long career, but like a working man that keeps his head down and goes to work. Nod along to the anthemic “Captain.”

Jay Som "Anak Ko (Polyvinyl)"

Melina Duterte, aka here as Jay Som, cites the “lush, poppy sounds of 80s bands such as Prefab Sprout, the Cure, and Cocteau Twins” for her turn towards that sort of sound on her stellar new album Anak Ko(Polyvinyl). Yes, she still records most of the parts by herself, at home (though she has a bit of help here from a few friends-including Laetitia Tamko, Justus Proffit, and her washer and dryer for a little ambience in places-eat your heart out Matmos!) this is the pure distillation of her sound turning ever more shimmery-and I couldn’t be more into this new sound. For the perfect example of it check out the jangly “Superbike.”

Joyero "Release The Dogs (Merge)"

There is little, musically, that Andy Stack hasn’t done. He’s one half of Wye Oak, he’s a longtime member of Lambchop, he’s worked with EL VY, and as Joyero on Release The Dogs (Merge) he’s released a fully realized, compelling solo album. Somewhere between Portastatic, Thom Yorke solo albums, and Wye Oak we find Andy’s occasionally reverb soaked, occasionally organ heavy sound. A little bit dream pop, a lot of fun, and all Andy. So just RELEASE THE DOGS ALREADY and check out “Salt Mine.”

Redd Kross "Beyond The Door (Merge)"

Between the PR for the album, and the actual album, its pretty evident that Redd Kross want people to have a good time listening to Beyond The Door (Merge). It’s a rock and roll record. It’s a party record. To discuss it at all is kind of a disservice to it. Just rock out to it already? It’s a timeless blast of pure rock joy, so join the party and check out “The Party Underground.”