Escape-Ism "The Lost Record (Merge)"
1990’s Sassiest Boy in America Ian Svenonius is back! Hot on the heels on 2017’s Introduction to Escape-Ism is 2018’s The Lost Record (Merge). Ian has been in more bands than journeyman Lutz Pfannenstiel’s has had teams. But starting last year, he introduced us to his solo identity as Escape-Ism, and seeing as how its been 10 months since his last LP, he’s feeling inspired. Full of sneery attitude, spoken word-ish vocals, hook-y basslines and left-field sonic choices, the sound is somewhere between Lou Reed’s solo work, Sneaks, and well… there isn’t a lot to compare Ian to. Just check out “Nothing Personal.”
Mogwai "Kin OST (Temporary Residence)"
Mogwai have recorded the soundtrack to the sci-fi movie Kin. The music sounds exactly like what you think Mogwai making music for a sci-fi movie would sound like: moody, experimental, gorgeous, and 100% Mogwai. In fact, if it wasn’t for the fact that it says “OST” on the cover, you’d likely think you lucked out and Mogwai just released another super album. I mean, they did, so… Check out the end credit music for the movie “We’re Not Done.”
School Damage "A To X (Chapter Music)"
A To X (Chapter Music) is the sophomore album from Melbourne’s School Damage. Spindly early new wave pop mixed with modern punk-lite. Imagine a world where Shopping teamed up with White Fences and Cate Le Bon and you are starting to get the idea behind this energetic sound. Guaranteed to get you chair dancing (because you are likely sitting when you read this) and face smiling (because, like me, you probably haven’t figured out how to make any other part of your body smile). Get ready to bounce along to “Assimilate.”
Alexander Tucker "Don’t Look Away (Thrill Jockey)"
Being psychedelic without falling back onto the accepted tropes of the form is something of a trick. Well, just call Alexander Tucker the David Copperfield of the genre (the magician, not the Dickensian character-that would be a whack metaphor… maybe I should have just gone with The Amazing Johnathan?) Anyway… Don’t Look Away (Thrill Jockey) is just that. All psychedelic swirls, warped, otherworldly music, but doesn’t sound just like all the stuff you think of when I use those words. Check out the Folk Implosion covering Pink Floyd sounds of “Visiting Again.”