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.”
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.
Ty Segall "Freedom’s Goblin (Drag City)"
There are very few comforts left in today’s modern world. Soup is still pretty good. Chocolate and peanut butter will never turn their collective food-based backs to us. Reruns of The Odd Couple still warms the soul. That’s about it, right? Wrong! New Ty Segall music always fits the comfort bill! If there’s one thing Ty knows it’s writing some killer psych garage-tinged, glam-flavored rock ’n’ roll tunes, then recording said tunes in a manner that is pleasing to the ears and the rockin’ soul of a rock ’n’ roll lover. Ok, so maybe he knows more than one thing (seeing as how I just listed numerous things). Gimme a break! I’m trying to be blurb eloquent while rockin’ my socks of listening to Freedom’s Goblin (Drag City), the newest album from Ty Segall. Filled with raucous tunes that fall somewhere between T-Rex and Abby Road-era Beatles, all through Ty’s patented Tune-Askewer (individual results may vary, ask your doctor if Tune-Askewer is right for you.) Check out the fuzzed out Prince-esque delight that is “Every 1’s A Winner.”