Phantastic Ferniture "Phantastic Ferniture (Polyvinyl)"
The immensely talented Julia Jacklin is known for her heartfelt, emotional tunes. Being something of a folky, it occurred to her that “ every experience I’d had on stage was playing sad music with a guitar in my hand. I thought, I would love to know what it’s like to make people feel good and dance.” So she got together with her friends Elizabeth Hughes, Ryan K Brennan, and Tom Stephen and formed Phantastic Ferniture. Their self-titled debut is a chance to set-aside their “meticulously crafted solo work” and have some fun. Everyone decided to not play their primary instruments and just have a blast playing some tunes. Now it’s your chance to have a blast listening to their giddy, danceable dream-rock. It’s like Liz Phair, The Breeders, and Elastica finally got together to jam and everyone was having their best day ever. Check out the bouncy “Gap Year.”
ShadowParty "ShadowParty (Mute)"
(takes headphones off) “What’s that? Oh, I’m listening to the debut record from ShadowParty. They’re sort of a supergroup. Who is in the bad? No big deal… just members of New Order, Devo, the Rentals, and appearances from members of The Verve and Primal Scream. Hmm? Sounds like your record collection come to life you say? Well then you are gonna love this self-titled album. Trust me. Say again? Oh, well I guess if you had to start somewhere, I’d suggest the single “Celebrate.””
The Special Pillow "Sleeping Weird"
Why am I sleeping weird if I have my Special Pillow? The man at the store said that the Special Pillow would eliminate all weird sleeping… Maybe only the band (or the pillow) knows, but in the meantime what IS special is the latest release by Hoboken’s Special Pillow. You like the Soft Boys, XTC, Fairport Convention, the Squeeze songs sung by Chris Difford-and yes Yo La Tengo (who covered Special Pillow on their previous album). So yeah this is the record for you. Is “Gilded Shrug” really about certain powerful people who aren’t held accountable for previous actions? Sorry the Steve Nieve “This Year’s Model” organ bridge has me obsessed with this jam. Anyway – wait for this: Special Pillow are a special band, and yup I wrote that-but never mind me you should listen to the R.E.M. sounds of “A Billion Years Ago”.
Liars "1/1 (OST) (Mute)"
In 2017 founding member Aaron Hemphill departed his band Liars amicably. Shortly after that, Angus Andrew released TFCF, the first Liars album featuring just him. However, the original duo has one more trick up their collective sleeves. After the recording of their 2014 LP Mess, the duo recorded a soundtrack for the film 1/1 and have now gifted that gorgeous, haunting work to the world. Check out the buzzy, stuttering “Liquorice.”