GABI "Empty Me (Double Double Whammy)"
What a surprise. LVL UP’s label Double Double Whammy is releasing ANOTHER neoclassical-esque album… wait… WHAT? Empty Me is the newest release from GABI (her 1st since 2015’s debut Sympathy). Here we find Gabrielle Herbst expanding on her Kate Bush-adjacent sound. Her soaring vocals over minimal classical arrangements (with neo-New Age electronica hints). This is some gorgeous music-equally amazing at relaxing and lifting one to new emotional heights (like a good meatloaf). Check out the stunning “Sleep.”
maarja nut & rum "Muunduja (FatCat)"
I was having trouble finding the words to describe the haunting new LP from maarja nuut & ruum. Then I found this quote from The Quietus on the bandcamp page for Muuunduja (FatCat):
“There’s a touristy pub in Tallinn centre called Hell Hunt that boasts a painting above the door showing a naked girl, eyes shut and smiling, riding on the back of a grinning wolf. That’s what her music sounds like.”
Then I didn’t feel too bad, because I’m pretty sure that quote means they didn’t know how to describe it either. They could have just said “Estonian Bjork” but that’s kind of reductive (which is why I’m not actually saying it.) Haunting, ethereal swirls of backing tracks building up around maarja’s angelic vocals (all in Estonian). Check out the mountainous builds of “Haned kadunud.”
TTNG "Animals Acoustic (Sargent House)"
You like TTNG, right (FKA This Town Needs Guns)? You like their classic album Animals, right? You like acoustic versions of songs you already like, right? Then you are gonna LOVE this acoustic reworking of Animals, Animals Acoustic (Sargent House). All your math rock-y favorites are here. Gibbon, Dog, Elk… Check out the spry, crisp sound of “Baboon.”
Swearin' "Fall Into The Sun (Merge)"
For those keeping score at home Swearin’, is Allison Crutchfield’s band with Kyle Gilbride and Jeff Bolt, and It’s the first new album from Swearin’ since 2013’s Surfing Strange and their first new music since their 2015 breakup. Late last year, the band announced they’d reunited to tour with Superchunk. Also last year, Crutchfield released a debut solo album, Tourist in This Town, and toured as a member of sister Katie Crutchfield’s Waxahatchee). WOW! Got that? So let us get to “Fall Into The Sun” – you like 90’s indie rock? You like The Breeders and Elastica and breathing air? Well, you are gonna love Swearin’. Crank up “Grow Into A Ghost.”