Jesse Mac Cormack "Now (Secret City)"
Up until now, Montréal singer songwriter Jesse Mac Cormack has done just about everything there is to be done in music… except release a full length album. A handful of EPs under his belt, production credits, opening slots for Patrick Watson and Cat Power among others– Jesse has honed his craft, just waiting for the right moment to unleash his fully formed song craft upon the world. Well, that moment is Now. No, I didn’t accidentally uppercase the word now back then (let alone the implication that I also erroneously italicized it). Now is the title of Jesse’s full length debut, and what a fully formed wonder it is. Full of chilly, stunning ‘80s production, psychedelic touches, world music rhythms, and desert imagery (for those of you who aren’t great at spelling-he’s singing about the hot, sandy places-not cake) this is definitely one to check out. So start with otherworldly “No Love Go.”
Imperial Teen "Now We Are Timeless (Merge)"
As a people, we’ve been lucky enough to be listening to Imperial Teensongs for over 20 years now. I mean, you HAVE been listening to Imperial teen, right? After all, their confessional, frank, indie-leaning electro-pop tunes are the stuff late-nights are made of. Now We Are Timeless(Merge) is exactly what you want it to be (and that is a very good thing to be after all). Total songwriting magic–with an emphasis on the craft of pop songwriting that is (ahem) all too absent from a lot of music these days (damn kids and their Soundcloud…). In fact, we should make this album a masterclass in songwriting chops that should be mandatory for all bands 30 and under. Professors Roddy Bottum, Will Schwartz, Jone Stebbins, and Lynn Perko Truell will be handing out your syllabi soon! You like earworms? Who doesn’t (besides dogs), well don’t you dare walk away from “Walkaway”!
METZ "Automat (Sub Pop)"
Chances are you’re already a fan of the “delightfully noisy 3-piece punk band from Toronto” but even for the biggest fans of the band, the songs on Automat (Sub Pop) were hard to get ahold of. Well… hard to get along of no more these songs are (that was a surprisingly Yoda sentence of me). Non-album tracks, b-sides, rarities from over the last decade. It’s a veritable Odds & Sods! Check out the angular power of “Pure Auto.”
Purple Mountains "Purple Mountains (Drag City)"
It’s been 11 years since we’ve gotten new music from Silver Jews’ David Berman. For a bit of a catch-up on what he’s been up to, I’d highly recommend reading this Washington Post feature on him from June 3rd-unless you’re out of articles for the month. If you are, then we have the perfect way for you to see what’s what with Mr. Berman! By checking out his wildly entertaining rebirth as “Purple Mountains”! The self-titled Purple Mountains (Drag City) is everything you could possibly want from a new David Berman project. From the xanax promo that is “That’s Just The Way That I Feel” to one of the best songs ever written about a mom “I Loved Being My Mother’s Son.” Mr. Berman even gives us the gift of finally ridding the world of “Margaritaville” with “Margaritas At The Mall.” Looking for the Randy Newman replacement for the next Toy Story? Check out the surprisingly bright and simultaneously dark “All My Happiness Is Gone”