Lost Under Heaven "Love Hates What You Become (Mute)"
Few bands are as instantly recognizable as Lost Under Heaven. If you’ve heard them even for a passing moment, you will instantly recognize them as soon as you hear them from that moment on. This has a lot to do with Ellery James Roberts’ distinctive vocal stylings, but also the duo’s mix of goth rock and modern electronic music makes them as future-leaning as anything you’ll ever hear. Describing their sound is like trying to describe the feeling of riding a roller coaster to someone that has never even seen one. On Love Hates What You Become (Mute), besides Ellery’s screaming whisper, they’ve also added more vocals from Ebony Hoorn, the other half of the band. It is always a very welcome addition to the sound, as is evidenced by the Hole meets NIN meets LUH sounds of “Bunny’s Blues.”
Pedro The Lion "Phoenix (Polyvinyl)"
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Pedro The Lion is back! Phoenix (Polyvinyl) is the first Pedro The Lion album in 15 years… Oh wait… I can’t start the blurb with that line, the album is called Phoenix! The metaphor was already made! Emergency! Emergency! Uhh… Like a, uh, oh! Like a cicada returning… nah, that’s bleak. Oh well… Too late! David Bazan has dusted off his lion costume and is Pedro The Lion once more (it’s been 15 years, but I’m pretty sure that’s how I remember this working). Back are the labored over arrangements, the meticulous lyrics, the uplifting chord changes, everything. Sure, there have been David Bazan solo albums since the last PTL record, but nothing was going to satisfy fans like a return to form like this. So let the past decade and a half wash away in an instant as you check out the nostalgia of “Yellow Bike.”
Generationals "State Dogs – Singles 2017-2018 (Polyvinyl)"
Over the last few years, Generationals have foregone writing a full album in favor of releasing singles whenever they are ready (like the old days! Shout out to the early 60s!). Well, just because the songs came out piecemeal doesn’t mean they can’t be eventually collected and released as one. Case in point? State Dogs – Singles 2017 – 2018 (Polyvinyl). All the hooks! All the fun! All together at last! Check out “Beggars in the House of Plenty.”
Jacco Gardner "Somnium (Polyvinyl)"
In 1608, Johannes Kepler wrote Somnium, which is widely considered to be the first science fiction novel. In 2018, Jacco Gardner recorded Somnium, widely considered to be the first album ever based on what is widely considered to be the first science fiction novel. Jacco challenged himself by deciding to not have any vocals on the album. Having to convey what he wanted via instrumentality offered up a new way of working for Jacco, and it paid off. Hints of Mike Oldfield, Tangerine Dream, Vangelis, classic library music, and everything else I’m looking for when I go to a record show. Check out the positively groovy (yes, I said groovy) “Levania.”