Matmos "Plastic Anniversary (Thrill Jockey)"
If you are experimental duo Matmos, how do you follow-up the album you made comprised of nothing but sounds found on your washing machine? Well, you make an album consisting of nothing but sounds made using found plastic objects! Plastic Anniversary (Thrill Jockey) (which also celebrates their actual anniversary as a romantic couple as well as a music duo) (third parenthetical for no good reason!) is just as weird as it sounds like its gonna be. But also, these two know what they are doing and could make an amazing album’s worth of music out of sounds from just about anything. Even, say, a bunch of plastic junk. Oh, wait! They did! Check out the plunky groove of “Breaking Bread.”
Anya Marina "Over You (EP)"
There is literally nothing Anya Marina can’t do. Between her songwriting, live performances, attempting to be The King Of All Media’s Au Pair, and her internet comedy shorts… jeez. I’m exhausted just following her on Instagram, I can barely keep up. I did laundry before work today and will complain about that for at least week. Her latest, the Over You EP, is a poptastic collection of tunes that are as dancable as they are smart. From the club-y breakup anthem of “Over You” to the bass bounce of the Beck-esque “Sidelines” the forms of these songs arrive just as varied as Anya’s projects. Masterful vocals and heaps of melodies and hooks. Check out the aforementioned title track “Over You.”
Julia Jacklin "Crushing (Polyvinyl)"
Julia Jacklin’s second LP Crushing (Polyvinyl) is the sound of Julia refinding herself. After a few years on tour, she was feeling a little shattered, her mind disconnected with her body. This is the way she rejoined the two, and thank goodness she did. With an easy, vibe-y delivery and laid back instrumentation, this is like the best of the ‘70s mixed with the best of today. Check out the Tom Petty meets Sharon Van Etten sounds of “Body.”
Martin Frawley "Undone At 31 (Merge)"
You may know Martin Frawley as a primary member of the Melbourne rock band Twerps. Well, recently, he stepped out from behind that band to release his solo debut. Undone At 31 (Merge) finds Martin greatly expanding his sonic palette, as well as his songwriting skills. With a hushed, conversational vocal delivery somewhere between Lou Reed and Kurt Vile and an ear for arrangement-each of these songs exists by itself. Whether the song has only Rhodes and pedal steel, or mog, violin, and bass-the thing holding it all together is Martin’s knack for auditory pairings as well as his talent for melody. If you like a record that is comforting from the first listen, then Undone At 31 is for you. Oscillating between rockers and ballads, there is something for everyone here. Yes, even you in the back! I promise! Check out the dynamic bass and acoustic shuffle of “You Want Me.”