Girl Ray "Earl Gray (Moshi Moshi)"
Hot off of being named Stereogum’s “Album Of The Week” it’s Earl Gray (Moshi Moshi), the full-length debut of North London’s Girl Ray. Here we find the three 19 year old members of the band in full mid-80s British indie-pop mode. But don’t think that means that they just sound like a Wedding Present reboot (though there are hints of that band’s sound here). Full of the emotions and warm, flat analog sounds the era was known for, this trio is anything but a revisionist band. Mix the cool Nico-esque vocal delivery of Poppy Hankin’s art school lyrics with the flat production of bouncy bass lines, occasional west coast sounding guitar solos, and easy shuffling drums, and you’re beginning to describe the “Kinks-meet-Slits” sounds of Girl Ray (that was Stereogum’s excellent description of the band’s sound). Check out the piano-led “Stupid Things.”
Moon King "Hamtramck ‘16"
The new release from Moon King, Hamtramck ’16, is a dance-y wonderland. Sometimes the record sounds like underground dance from Detroit’s dance heyday, other times it sounds like solo Stevie Nicks at her most 80s. Some disco here, some synthpop there, this is one release that is gonna surprise you into dancing, in as artful a way as is possible. Get on your best dancing shoes (or sit in your best dancing chair) and check out the aforementioned Nicksonian “In & Out.”
Golden Retriever "Rotations (Thrill Jockey)"
If you are familiar with the sounds of Golden Retriever (the band, not the dog, that sound can be described easily as “bark”), then you know that in the past the duo has worked primarily as a combo of synths and bass clarinet (usually amplified and run through effects). On Rotations (Thrill Jockey) however, the duo has enlisted an entire chamber ensemble to round out their sound. Working with money earned in a grant from Portland’s Regional Arts & Culture Council, they were asked to write some new works for the purposes of performance. And write new pieces they did, as this sounds like Brian Eno and John Adams (the composer, not the president) realized they booked a recording space for the same time by accident, and rather than duking it out like those two madmen normally would, they made some beautiful music together. Check out the evocative sounds of “Sunsight.”
Sweet Apple "Sing The Night In Sorrow (Tee Pee)"
Supergroup of sorts Sweet Apple, and purveyors of glittery throwback power-pop, are back with a new riff-heavy release. Sing The Night In Sorrow (Tee Pee Records) finds J Mascis, Tim Parnin and John Petkovic (both of Cobra Verde) and Dave Sweetapple rocking as hard as they ever have. A little Cheap Trick, a little T-Rex, a little bit ‘60s psych-folk a la The Incredible String Band or even Love, and a LOT of fun. Of course, guest turns from Robert Pollard and Doug Gillard among others usually make for a fun record. Don’t believe me? (jeez louise, what do I have to do to earn the blurb-readers trust anyway?) Check out the Robert Pollard-featuring smash single (if we have anything to say about it) “World I’m Gonna Leave You.”