Tōth "Practice Magic and Seek Professional Help When Necessary (Northern Spy)"
Tōth, the new projects from Alex Toth of Rubblebucket and Alexander F came about after he broke his foot during an Alexander F performance. Locked away in his apartment mending that broken foot, along with his broken heart (he and his Rubblebucket partner had recently broken up as well) he started writing the stripped down acoustic songs that make up Practice Magic and Seek Professional Help When Necessary (Northern Spy). The songs are lush but sparse, with occasional trumpet solos from Alex, who is a jazz trumpeter by training. If the Beach Boys wrote a stripped-down break-up record, the results wouldn’t be too off from this. Check out the absolutely lovely “Song To Make You Fall In Love With Me.”
Charly Bliss "Young Enough (Barsuk)"
I’m gonna assume that you, like a lot of people, fell under the Charly Bliss spell after their debut Guppy was released. Their ‘90s-esque candy-coated college radio sound was a breath of fresh air. Well, get ready to fall in love with their follow-up, Young Enough (Barsuk). Mixed into the Veruca Salt-esque sound of their original vibe is an unabashed pop slant. Are their still guitars? Yes. But are there synths? Yup. New wave-ish production? Uh huh. But what about Eva Hendrick’s singular vocal delivery? Front and center here. It’s like a combo of New Order, The Eurythmics, and The Breeders. Like the kids say, this record “slaps” (I’m so, so sorry. I feel so dirty now.) Check out the vibey “Capacity.”
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.”
Jan St. Werner "Glottal Wolpertinger (Fiepblatter Catalogue #6) (Thrill Jockey)"
The latest Fiepblatter Catalog release from Jan St. Werner, Glottal Wolpertinger, is an exercise in oscillating drones that started out life as an art installation. Look, I realize that that sentence is either going to send you running as fast as you can away from this release or get you super interested and pressing play on it immediately. If you are the former, then little I can say will change your mind. If you are the latter, then my job is already done! Oscillate along with “Glottal Wolpertinger Feedback Band 3 / B.”