GABI "Empty Me (Double Double Whammy)"
What a surprise. LVL UP’s label Double Double Whammy is releasing ANOTHER neoclassical-esque album… wait… WHAT? Empty Me is the newest release from GABI (her 1st since 2015’s debut Sympathy). Here we find Gabrielle Herbst expanding on her Kate Bush-adjacent sound. Her soaring vocals over minimal classical arrangements (with neo-New Age electronica hints). This is some gorgeous music-equally amazing at relaxing and lifting one to new emotional heights (like a good meatloaf). Check out the stunning “Sleep.”
maarja nut & rum "Muunduja (FatCat)"
I was having trouble finding the words to describe the haunting new LP from maarja nuut & ruum. Then I found this quote from The Quietus on the bandcamp page for Muuunduja (FatCat):
“There’s a touristy pub in Tallinn centre called Hell Hunt that boasts a painting above the door showing a naked girl, eyes shut and smiling, riding on the back of a grinning wolf. That’s what her music sounds like.”
Then I didn’t feel too bad, because I’m pretty sure that quote means they didn’t know how to describe it either. They could have just said “Estonian Bjork” but that’s kind of reductive (which is why I’m not actually saying it.) Haunting, ethereal swirls of backing tracks building up around maarja’s angelic vocals (all in Estonian). Check out the mountainous builds of “Haned kadunud.”
TTNG "Animals Acoustic (Sargent House)"
You like TTNG, right (FKA This Town Needs Guns)? You like their classic album Animals, right? You like acoustic versions of songs you already like, right? Then you are gonna LOVE this acoustic reworking of Animals, Animals Acoustic (Sargent House). All your math rock-y favorites are here. Gibbon, Dog, Elk… Check out the spry, crisp sound of “Baboon.”
Black Joe Lewis & Honeybears "The Difference Between Me & You"
For their 5th album, Black Joe Lewis & Honeybears did what may seem impossible for 2018. They made The Difference Between Me & You an authentic, honest to goodness blues album. I mean, if ever there was a time for the blues to come back, now would be it, eh? If that doesn’t whet your appetite, check out this quote from Glide Magazine “a deep repertoire of sounds: the heavy grooves of Albert King, punked-up blues of R.L. Burnside, the storytelling of Bobby “Blue” Bland, and the soulfully layered horns of The Rolling Stones.” Check out the horn-heavy “Culture Vulture.”