Shida Shahabi "Homes (Fat Cat)"
If Erik Satie would have listened to more indie rock, his compositions would have likely sounded a lot like those of Iranian pianist/composer Shida Shahabi. Homes, her debut on FatCat’s classical imprint 130701 is absolutely stunning. Primarily piano with ethereal keyboard hints, each one of these emotive compositions sounds practically written for peak cable TV. Which makes sense, as she sites film composition as her main influence (that and all the My Bloody Valentine and Yo La Tengo she grew up listening to.) Check out the albums first song “Abisme.”
José González & The String Theory "Live In Europe (Mute)"
Oh, Jose Gonzalez! I didn’t know your songs could sound any more gorgeous! But sure, add a string section and you will find stunning versions of some of your best songs include “Every Age” and “Heartbeats”. Jose, you are a miracle worker and I want you focusing on such important projects as making chocolate and peanut butter better, and beer having even fewer calories. Doable? I guess in the meantime I will be basking in your masterstroke of genius with “Live In Europe”. Dig into “Down The Lone” today!
Upper Wilds "Mars (Thrill Jockey)"
Building on the sonic landscape they forged with their 2017 debut, Upper Wilds are back with Mars (Thrill Jockey). The trio, made up of Dan Friel, Zach Lehroff, and Jeff Ottenbacher, are pushing the boundaries they set last time. Guitar Mudyle 2017 was very synth heavy, but this time around Dan is instead sending vocals through a pile of guitar effects to create a noisy, otherworldly sound. Check out the space exploration noise-pop of “Mars.”
The Dodos "Certainty Waves (Polyvinyl)"
While the members of The Dodos were re-learning all of the songs from their 2nd album to play in its entirety during some live shows, they remembered how much electric guitar they used to have on their recordings. That epiphany completely changed the direction of the songs for Certainty Waves (Polyvinyl), their 7th album. So if you feel like its been a while since The Dodos rocked and/or rolled, then do I have some good news for you (and who couldn’t use good news these days, eh?) Sure, the drum led interplay is still here, but so are some killer electric guitar lines. So for a band that is so often thought of as acoustic guitars and drums, this is a breath of fresh (and plugged in) air. This is the duo at their most post-punk. Think Liars meet Walkmen meet The Dodos in “midlife crisis” mode (their PR). Check out the cacophonous, jangly first single “Forum.”