Eleanor Friedberger "Rebound (French Kiss)"
If you thought Rebound was going to be your album for this year’s NBA playoffs you are sadly mistaken (as am I). Instead, it is a musical rebound of sorts. Harking back to the ‘90s-exchanging live instrumentation for programmed drums, a Juno synthesizer, and muted guitars. Eleanor Friedberger sings over these newly styled grooves with the assurance and confidence of either A) someone who has been making records for over a decade or B) must crush it at karaoke. Basically, imagine Eleanor fronting Stereolab or New Order. Sound cool? It sure is! Check out the catchy as frack “Make Me A Song.” Unlike the rest of life, it won’t disappoint.
Kat Edmonson "Old Fashioned Gal (Dunvagen)"
Back in my “wild” dating days I dated this lady who wore fun, full skirts, played the accordion and liked to watch only b&w movies. I was a jerk and that one ended but I’d like to find her now and play her Kat Edmonson(if only some sort of social media platform run by the Russians could be helpful). A super fun mixture of Cole Porter and at times indie folk (you could say SHE without HIM if you must). Now only if she would sing in Yiddish I could get her on the The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. So spin ”Please Consider Me”, “If” and the title track and enjoy the best Sunday brunch record since Yo La Tengo’s Fakebook.
Clint Michigan "Centuries (Kiam)"
Oh my, poor Clint Michigan, I had no idea…..What a traumatic life he has led, and none of that “oh my subway was late”, “why is this guy yelling at me while I’m eating a slice” stuff, real-life problems, which has lead to him being sober for 5 years and also producing this beautiful album Centuries. Imagine Elliott Smith and Sufjan Stevens hanging out – maybe not the most fun hang, but maybe they would come out with some beautiful sounding songs. Clint uses the term “trauma core” to describe his music, but nothing this beautiful could sound that traumatic. Check out “Knickerbocker Street”.
Dylan Carlson "Conquistador (Sargent House)"
The mighty Dylan Carlson of the oh so mighty band Earth has given us a solo electric guitar album in its purest form. One guitar (ok… at times two) – distorted – loud, with no other accompaniment – just guitars. A wall of sound that would make Phil Spector’s wig cry as all it takes is one man slowly playing his way around the frets with chords that ring out as slowly as the tumbleweeds blow across the desert. This record is a study in zen – just focus on the guitar and let Dylan take you to an awesome place. Check out “When the Horses Were Shorn of Their Hooves” and don’t forget to turn it up even louder then you know you should.