Human Heat "All Is Too Much"
If you’ve enjoyed Alex Schaaf’s work with Yellow Ostrich in the past, then buddy, do I have some exciting news for you! (and no, the exciting news isn’t that I’ve taken to calling you buddy. I’ve always felt that way!). No, the news is that Alex is back as Human Heat! Whereas YO was a jangly, sometimes horn-driven indie-pop, Alex’s Human Heat project finds him indulging in his obvious love of R&B. Somewhere between the recent keyboard-heavy excursions of the experimental Moon King and the Top 40 sounds of James Blake at his most soulful we have All Is Too Much. If you ever wondered what would happen if Siri and Alexa formed a band have we got that record for you! For proof of that, check out the piano funk-balladry of “Remember When.”
Lee Ranaldo "Electric Trim (Mute)"
Founding member of Sonic Youth Lee Ranaldo is back with his first solo-alum since 2013’s Last Night on Earth. Electric Trim (Mute) finds Lee moving in a bit of a new direction. A little lighter in sound than his previous work (but every bit as experimental), this is a joyous collection of tunes. Think of it as somewhere between an acoustically led late-era SY mixed with… well… mixed with a little bit of everything-which makes sense since the album features guest turns from Sharon Van Etten, News Cline, Steve Shelley, and more! Look, Lee has made a career of being hard to pin down, and this is no exception. No amount of describing I do here is going to do these songs justice, so check out the victorious Soundtrack Of Our Lives-esque sounds of the first single “Circular Right As Rain.”
Annie Hart "Impossible Accomplice"
Annie Hart, she of Au Revoir Simone, has stepped out with her debut solo record. Impossible Accompliceis full of the vintage synth sounds of ARS, as well as the soft spoken vocals that band was known for. Stripped down more then ARS tunes, these basement-crafted tunes only include sounds needed to convey the emotions of each song. Hypnotic and raw, this is an unfiltered Annie-which, thankfully, is as lovely a sound as all the other Annies! Check out “I Don’t Want Your Love.”
Antietam "Intimations Of Immortality (Motorific Sounds)"
Comparisons between in-office favorites Antietam and Crazy Horse abound, and it doesn’t just stop at their sound. Tara Key and Co. certainly rock in a very specific, classic way. But also, every time you fear you may have heard the last from them, they come blistering back to remind all the kids how to rock. This time they do it in the form of Intimations Of Immortality (released on their very own Motorific Sounds label). Forward chugging drums, the best expressive guitar noodling this side of Mr. Young himself, and building block bass lines are all the keystones of Antietam. Or should I saw “key”stones? (Get it!?! Tara Key!) Eh, maybe I shouldn’t say it after all. But I definitely should say: check out the rock-fueled chug-a-lug of “Right Between Your Eyes.”