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?).
Mt. Wilson Repeater "V’Ger (Merge)"
Seeing as how Jim Putnam’s band Radar Brothers have been on hiatus since 2013, it makes sense that he would resurrect his experimental side project Mt. Wilson Repeater. Here, now, is where it gets tricky. The album, out now on Merge Records, is called V’Ger. I am a HUGE Star Trek fan. V’Ger is a Star Trek Reference. Therefore, it’s hard for me to do anything here other than make Trek references. But this is work! So for more on what I think about the infinitely strange Star Trek: The Motion Picture, let’s hang out sometime. For more on Jim’s new album, stay right here in this blurb. V’Ger (the LP) is full of lush, baritone guitar shoegaze-y psychedelia and dreamscapes. Think Kris Kristofferson meets Yo La Tengo meets Air meets lots of other great things, all at once, and funneled through Jim’s unique world view. Check out the sinister swirls of “Get By.”