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.”
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!
Kinski "Accustomed To Your Face (Kill Rock Stars)"
Judging from the cover of their latest LP, Kinski has fired John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands and gone back to their original lineup. I kid, I kid! 20 years into their career and Kinski show no signs of slowing down. Accustomed To Your Face (Kill Rock Stars) is full of searing guitars and rock riffs, krautrock-inspired rhythms, and all-around blistering energy. This is one album to get up and go to school with! Check out the sub-two minute power of “Guest Girl Vocalist.”
Lando Chill "Black Ego (Mello Music)"
Mix in equal parts ‘90s trip-hop, early West Coast rap, gospel, funk, modern indie and hip-hop, and you’re starting to get to the heart of the excellent Black Ego (Mello Music), the latest full-length from Lando Chill. Teaming up again with multi-instrumentalist and producer The Lasso they are here to follow up their beloved 2017 album The Boy Who Spoke To The Wind (#26 on Bandcamp’s Top 100 Albums of the Year). The beats and the vocals are as smooth or as raucous as they need to be, and every guest-verse is a meticulously crafted beaut. Take, for instances, the head-nodding “Peso” which features turns by Quelle Chris & REY along with Lando.