Beauty Pill "Sorry You’re Here"
In 2010, Chad Clark (the driving force behind Beauty Pill) was brought on to write the score to a play entitled suicide.chat.room. Well here we are in 2019, and finally we have the recorded evidence of this score in our hot little hands (also, why are our hands so hot? I’d check WebMD, but they never have good news…). Sorry You’re Here is the result of that scoring project, and its some of the most haunting, beautiful music Beauty Pill has ever released. Oscillating between modern classical music and Aphex Twin-esque electronica and audio-collage, this is one beauty of an album (get it?). Check out the jittering sheen of “At A Loss.”
Eluvium "Pianoworks (Temporary Residence)"
For the first time in nearly 15 years, Eluvium has released a collection of solo piano pieces. Obviously, as a modern classical composer, this was likely at one point his go-to emotional outlet. But like happens to many of us, we get distracted by all the new cool things we’ve learned. But Pianoworks (Temporary Residence) is a testament to going back to what you originally learned to do occasionally. Simply put, you aren’t going to find a better, more beautiful collection of piano music anywhere. So start at the beginning and give “Recital” a listen.
Apex Manor "Heartbreak City (Merge)"
Recorded in a scant two weeks studio time, the new Apex Manor record Heartbreak City (Merge) is about as spontaneous and live as records can be today. Ross and the boys are reveling in the fun of ‘90s alt/college rock without relying on the nostalgia that comes along with that sound far too often. This is just the real thing. Pure, unabashed indie rock. A little like Dinosaur Jr. (with some shoegaze synths mixed in for maximum enjoyment), and a lot like Apex Manor. Check out “Where My Mind Goes.”
Gemma "Feeling’s Not A Tempo (Double Double Whammy)"
I mean, has there ever been a better time to be a pop devotee? We really are in a pop music renaissance and that’s one of the few things making life liveable these days (sorry to get bleak in a blurb, but these are bleak days…) Case in point is this new Gemma record Feeling’s Not A Tempo (Double Double Whammy). Modern indie quirk, soulful vocals, ‘80s synths, Prince-esque guitar solos, danceable percussion, and a healthy dose of swagger. Groove along to “Only One.”