C Duncan "Health"
Is there anyone in music dealing in the kinds of stunning harmonies that C Duncan does these days? Seriously. Those stacked vocals! Come on! ELO wishes they sounded this sweet! Mix all that up with an addition to his singular sound. “What addition” you ask? Well, for the first time, he had outside production, and what production it is! Elbow’s Craig Potter brings along a fuller sound than ever appeared on the first two records. But fear not, everything you love is here, but bigger with hints of disco, Twin Peaks-esque noir chill, and vintage ‘50s pop twists. Check out the disco string stings on “Impossible.”
Nonconnah "Dead roses, digged up zombies, broken pieces of diamonds, live cats (EJRC)"
When you think of Ernest Jenning Records, you think of limited edition noise cassettes, right? What? You don’t? Well, that’s about to change with the release of Nonconnah’s Dead roses, digged up zombies, broken pieces of diamonds, live cats. This new project from Zachary Corsa of Lost Trail is a simultaneously haunting and relaxing collection of tunes from Zach and a group of musical friends that any experimental musician would be happy to feature on their release (Dan Friel, Dustin Wong, Kenneth William, and countless others). Really, this is one you need to hear to get a grasp on, so check out the first track from the album “Rainbow Over Pegasus Field.”
Oozing Wound "High Anxiety (Thrill Jockey)"
Look… If you aren’t already a fan of thrash metal, there’s very little I can say here to convince you to check out the amazing new Oozing Wound record, High Anxiety (Thrill Jockey). Conversely, if you are already a big fan of Oozing Wound, there’s little I could say here to get you even more excited than you already are to hear their latest collection. And if you are a fan of Mel Brooks’ oft-forgotten movie High Anxiety, look elsewhere. This has naught to do with that. Those are the only two kinds of people, right? Those who don’t like thrash metal, and those who love Oozing Wound. Makes sense to me. Check out “Tween Shitbag” and finally decide once and for all what kind of person you are.
The Lasso "The Sound Of Lasso (Mello Music)"
The Sound Of Lasso (Mello Music), the solo debut from The Lasso, is exactly what the title says. Stepping out from his normal role as producer and beatmaker, The Lasso is free here to make whatever kind of music he wants. This is not the first time he’s released a solo album, but this one feels like a focusing and rebirth sort of affair. Armed with a drum machine and 13 talented musicians, the sound here is varied from song to song. Occasionally sounding like ‘90s trip-hop, other times like experimental electronica a la Books or Liars, and other times mixing Brian Eno passages of ambient beauty with hip-hop sensibilities. Passages also can remind the listener of Stevie Wonder, or the French band Air at times. Needless to say (but I’m gonna say it anyway) this is a gorgeous collection of (mostly) instrumental music. Chill, sophisticated, vibe-y. Get into the vibe with the uplifting “Heaven.”