Ka Baird "Saropelic Pycnic (Drag City)"
Sometimes you need a weird record. A record that’s hard to describe, but easy to listen to. A psychedelic record that makes a flute sound like a computer. If this is one of those cases, then boy oh boy do I have the record for you. Saropelic Pycnin (Drag City), the new record from Ka Baird, is a trippy good time. Full of augmented and processed flute sounds, new age-y, world music hints, and… well, even more psychedelic flute sounds. It’s like a electronic symphony consisting entirely of flutes, sounding a little bit like OPN remixes of Eric Dolphy (I would spend a LOT of money on that record). Check out the swirling “Tok Tru.”
Shout Out Louds "Ease My Mind (Merge)"
Ease My Mind (Merge), the newest LP from Shout Out Louds, aims to do just that. No, not make you shout out loud. It’s here to ease your mind. Don’t believe me? Just ask band members Adam Olenius and Bebban Stenborg: “Ease My Mind celebrates music as a means of escape, a need to take a break from feeling petrified with fear…” And what a break from the real world this is! Full of triumphant melodies, uplifting chord changes, and easy vibes of rock days past. Think of it like War On Drugs/early Arcade Fire with plenty of Xanax; oh and did we say catchy as fuck? We did! Check out “Uh Oh.”
The Clientele "Music For The Age Of Miracles (Merge)"
It’s been 7 long years since The Clientele have graced our ears with a new album. A lot has changed since 2010, but thankfully, the awesomeness of The Clientele isn’t one of them. Music For The Age Of Miracles (Merge) is exactly what you want it to be. Full of smart lyrics, charming songs, and more indie pop warmth than a highly coveted copy of C86. Jam packed with chilling piano turns, bright acoustic guitars, and Alasdair Maclean’s singular vocal style. If The Apples In Stereo were more interested in Rubber Soul, their output might sounds like this stellar LP. Check out the perfect for the first day of autumn lead single “Lunar Days.”
Upper Wilds "Guitar Module 2017 (Thrill Jockey)"
Dan Friel (of Parts & Labor fame) fans, do I ever have a treat for you! His new project, Upper Wilds, has released an introduction of the new sound with Guitar Module 2017 (Thrill Jockey). Performed entirely by Friel on a heavily distorted guitar, along with a sequencer, a keyboard, and a pedal board full of goodies, GM2017 is a big, messy good time. A little like Lightning Bolt but with Dan’s occasional vocals being far less distorted. His guitars certainly thrash, likely causing heads to be banged and devil hands to be thrown up wherever this album is being played, and played LOUD. Crank it to 11 and check out “UFO.”