Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch "Epoques (Fat Cat)"
Paris-born pianist/composer Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch is back with another hauntingly beautiful collection of music. Oscillating between Philip Glass-esque solo piano works, occasional electronic bits, and pieces that feature violin and cello, Epoques (FatCat) is sure to please even the most discerning contemporary classical fan. Pretend along with me that you are way more sophisticated than you actually are and check out the beautifully sinister “Ultramarine.”
Sean Henry "Fink (Double Double Whammy)"
The record industry worked just like it used to. Sean Henry caught the attention of Double Double Whammy Records (along with countless others) with his demo tape. They signed him. He has recorded a debut studio LP called Fink and here it is (take THAT Soundcloud!). His “soft grunge” sound is on full display here, reminding you of a time when 120 Minutes ruled the airwaves. A little like those early, loose Pavement records mixed with those early, loose Modest Mouse records. Check out the frazzled “The Ants.”
Con Brio "Explorer"
San Francisco’s Con Brio proudly announce on track two that they are “Too Lit To Quit,” and if you check out their debut Explorer you will totally agree. Full horns, backflips, dance moves, hooks and choruses, these guy went to the church of James Brown and then graduated from the University of Sly and The Family Stone. During these troubling times, its fun to have a record where you can your funk out – It is probably the best therapy for all. So get the party with “Feels Good”, get jiggy with “Body Language” and the best cover of Nirvana’s “Heart Shaped Box” you will ever hear. (BRM/RTP one-stop except for the nirvana cover duh).
Hamish Kilgour "Finkelstein (Ba Da Bing!)"
Hamish Kilgour from The Clean is back for his second solo LP Finkelstein. Its… um… weird. Any album where the PR talks about how renowned the artists is for his “footstepping” on an album is sure to be pretty weird, and this does not disappoint. However, if you like messy, loose music you’ll likely love this Frogs (minus the jokes) sounding album. Hamish is a legend though, and has earned the right to do whatever he wants. Remember, I DID say “from The Clean” a few sentences ago? If every record was an easy listen, we’d all have Phil Collins tattoos and Lou Reed would have been stuck working the door at The Pyramid Club. Sometimes the songs are hazy, but most times the genius shines through like on the New Morning/American Beauty vibes of “Sidetracked.”