Hollie Cook "Vessel Of Love (Merge)"
Here we are, listening to Vessel Of Love (Merge) together. Did you know that although this is Hollie Cook’s third LP it’s her debut on Merge Records! Oh, you did know? How did… oh right, I told you. Hahahaha. We are laughing. Also, we are listening to the forefront of left of center reggae pop, courtesy of West London’s Ms. Cook. I’m afraid I don’t really know enough about reggae to accurately compare her sound to anyone else’s, but I do know this. When it comes to reggae, I don’t know much, but I know what I like. And I like Hollie Cook’s music. I mean I LIKE like Hollie Cook’s music. Check out the dub-y, synth heavy underwater groove of “Freefalling” and just TRY to keep your neck from moving. (spoiler alert: it’s not gonna happen).
Jesse Marchant "Illusion Of Love (No Other)"
The golden-throated Jesse Marchant is here to enchant one and all once again with his 4th LP Illusion Of Love (No Other). If you are already a fan of Jesse, then you know to expect introspective songcraft coupled with his velvet-y vocals and tender songwriting, as well as a healthy dose of his beautiful piano-playing. If you aren’t already a fan, and don’t know what to expect… now you do! You know, because you read this blurb… Also, because you listened to the track we are about to recommend, the haunting M. Ward-y ballad “ Sister, I.”
Long Neck "Will This Do?"
Oh NJ, just when it seems like it everything can’t get any worse, The Garden State is there to make everything better. We get a new governor who wants to legalize pot, Jersey City gets a great new venue, and now we have a new band that is going to blow the fuck up. Yup, Jersey City’s Long Neck features the oh so lovely baratone songs and vocals by Lily Mastrodimos who writes very personal songs in the first person with all the enthusiasm and exciement one wants to hear in a young new band. Imagine Diet Cig and the Buzzcocks fronted by Christy McVie and you will get just a taste of Long Neck. Start with album opener “Mine/Yours.” Long Neck are something to get excited about in 2018 (now when is pot going to be legal?).
No Age "Snares Like A Haircut (Drag City)"
Minimalist noise/art punk duo No Age are back for a world barely deserving of their fine gifts. Snares Like A Haircut (Drag City) are gonna take you back to a time in the ‘90s when I hosted a college radio show and played… oh wait. Sorry, you didn’t have the same life as me. So it’s gonna remind you of whatever you were doing back in the day… Being born? Perhaps hosting a radio show of your own? Too bad we don’t have the technology to make these blurbs a 2 way street–no jetpacks, no two-way blurbs, this truly is a bleak future. Thankfully the Deerhunter-meets-Times New Viking-meets Pavement at their slackiest sounds of No Age are here to numb the pain. Tie yourself off and shoot some “Drippy” directly into your veins.