Las Rosas "Shadow By Your Side (Greenway Records/RTP)"
“Hey man…” you might say to yourself because you are a cool person who calls yourself “man” in like a ‘60s-esque hippie voice “I could really vibe on, like, some throwback chill rock tunes, you dig?” because you are REALLY committed to this character you’ve created. Well, tell your hippie character to mellow because we have the LP for them. Shadow By Your Side, the new album from Las Rosas is exactly what they (you) want. Think an edgier version of classic era Kinks mixed with uh… whatever we are calling this decade? Check out the head bopper “Christa.”
High Disciple "High Disciple (Ernest Jenning Record Co.)"
Not every band is difficult to describe. For every one that defies genre placement, there is a band as blissfully specific as High Disciple. They are a dub band. A space-y, surf-y reggae-y dub band. Comprised of Chris Daly from Jets To Brazil, Larry DiGiovanni from Dub For Light (I told you! DUB BAND!) and guitarist Scott Saing Hilaire, their self-titled debut on Ernest Jenning Record Co. is some sweet, jammed up dub music. You will slowly nod your head, you will marvel at the ease at which they grab a hold over you, and you will likely just start the record over once it’s done. Check out the laid-back funk of “Tranquility.”
Maps & Atlases "Lightlessness Is Nothing New (Barsuk)"
Lightlessness Is Nothing New (Barsuk), the new LP from Maps & Atlases, is something of a reboot from the band. Gone are the math rock leanings found on their earlier albums, and in its place is a bright, joyful synth pop. This change came about as frontman Dave Davison tried to assuage his grief over the recent loss of his father. But rather than wallowing, Dave is instead reminding himself (and thus the world) of al the great things left here. And if ever there was a time that people needed reminding that there is joy left, it’s now. Like a bouncy, lighter version of Erasure mixed with ‘80s Bowie, Lightlessness… has something for everyone, as is evidenced by the hummable hooks of “Fall Apart.”
E "Negative Work (Thrill Jockey)"
We make no secret our love of Thalia Zedek around the BRM office. So when Thalia is releasing music in any capacity, we are always very excited. So word of a new album from E, Thalia’s trio with Jason Sidney Sanford and Gavin McCarthy (I wonder how Gavin feels being in the band E as the only member of the band without the titular vowel in his name?). Negative Work (Thrill Jockey) is not only the name of their new LP, but also the ethos behind the LP. Recorded and mixed in 4 days at Machines With Magnets, they took full advantage of their trio status, and gave each of their individual tracks the room to breathe and shine on this energetic, idiosyncratic band. (get it? negative space?) Check out the first single from the album “Untie Me.”