Laura Stevenson "The Big Freeze (Don Giovanni)"
Just surviving February in NYC as it rolls into March (Marchuary), and it snows and snows and it is gray and it is gray, and it is cold, so cold and yes I’m complaining but the upside is records like The Big Freeze by Laura Stevenson. Like Joni Mitchell’s heating blanket by a fire at Sharon Van Etten’s ski lodge is what helps keep the outside world at bay during “Living Room, NYC”. But hey, don’t worry, Laura can still bring out some almost summer-like vibes for “Dermatillomania” (it will get warm again? this year??). Even though Laura has been around for a minute with The Big Freeze Laura will be the next singer-songwriter everyone is talking about. Warm up with “Value Inn.”
Ty Segall "Deforming Lobes (Drag City)"
Ever see a live show and immediately say I WANNA HEAR THAT SHOW AGAIN RIGHT NOW WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY FOR IT AND WITHOUT HAVING TO TYPE ALL CAPS! Well, your PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED as Ty Segall has released a live album of his current live band – as this record was recorded live last Jan. with Mr. Steve Albini handling the mixes. So yeah you get jams from various Ty albums including Twins, Melted, Emotional Mugger, $ingles$ 2, and 2017’s Self-titled record. Not bad for a night out – without the bad beer and the hurting feet (gotta get some new orthopedic kicks for sure). Enjoy “Love Fuzz” and leave your earplugs on the dresser.
8mm "Heart-Shaped Hell EP"
It’s been 7 years since the goth-tinged, orchestral alternative duo 8mm have released new music. Sure, the pair have been busy in the interim: writing and recording music for films, producing other artists music (NIN, Marilyn Manson, Depeche Mode, acting roles, repainting the ceiling for the Sistine Chapel… Ok, you caught me. I made the last one up. But I’m not making up how atmospheric and trailer-ready their “slinky dark pop” is on Heart-Shaped Hell. Check out the EP’s lead-off track, the Massive Attack covering “Heart Shaped Box” sounds of “Self-Inflicted Heartache.”
Small Feet "…With Psychic Powers (Barsuk)"
Simon Stålhamr is back with his second album as Small Feet. (I wonder if anyone accidentally downloaded a Small Feet record thinking they were gonna get back into Little Feet and thought “woah, they are way weirder than I remember”) …With Psychic Powers (Barsuk) finds Simon leaning more experimentally than his last (critically acclaimed) effort Far Enough Away Everything Sounds Like The Ocean. He’s mixing in more of that neo-psych rock sound-leaving the whole thing sounding a little Beach Boys, a little Syd Barrett, a little Congratulations-era MGMT, and a lot amazing. Reverb soaked and mysterious, often with a multi-tracked chorus of one. Check out the incredible album opener “Let The Guys Down.”