Goldfrapp "Silver Eye (Mute)"
Goldfrapp are back. Wait. That’s an understatement. Goldfrapp are blissfully, amazingly back. Silver Eye (Mute) is a joyous, future-leaning, otherworldly dose of electro-pop. As Alison Goldfrapp says in the press release for the album, “We’ve never liked repeating ourselves,” and that is an obviously true statement once you’ve heard the new album. A healthy dose of ‘90s electronica, Radiohead-esque shifts, modern EDM nods, and even hints at Thrill Jockey noise metal bands like Borders. But all these strange influences lead to an infinitely listenable dance-pop album that’s just as home in a club as it is at an art gallery opening. Check out “Anymore,” the first single from the album.
Arbouretum "Song Of The Rose (Thrill Jockey)"
I would love to assume that everyone is already as into the projects of Dave Heumann as they should be. But, as we all know only too well, the universe it not a fair place at all… Besides his solo efforts, you should also be infatuated with his band Arbouretum, which has been called “the best of the millennial classic rock bands, a guitar-fuzzed powerhouse.” Combining Dave’s vulnerable, Bonnie Prince Billy-esque voice with a more polished version of Neil Young’s band, their latest album Song Of The Rose (Thrill Jockey) has enough guitar snazz and dramatic turns to keep the vinyl-heads happy for years. Check out the dusty croon of “Song of the Rose.”
Craig Finn "We All Want The Same Things"
Craig Finn has been recording music in some capacity since 1993. Let that soak in. That’s the year that Bill Clinton began his first term. Besides his work with The Hold Steady (and Life Puller before that) Craig has also been known to release a solo album not and again. We All Want The Same Things (Partisan) is his 3rd solo outing. His mixture of unique storytelling, pop-punk leanings, and ear for arrangements is on full display here. You know you already love Craig, and can’t wait to hear some new tunes from him, so check out Velvet Underground meets Springsteen strains of “Preludes.”
Laetitia Sadier Source Ensemble "Find Me Finding You (Drag City)"
“Experimental and soothing.” That’s how Stereogum describes the sound of Laetitia Sadier’s new project. The former Stereolab member is back with a new band. Following two solo releases, Laetitia Sadier Source Ensemble is here as the new framing for her unique songwriting abilities. Frankly, everything she does fits into that Stereogum description. There are few bands you can recognize instantly based on chord changes, and Laetitia is one of them. It sounds exactly like you want it to. A furthering of the ideas born of Stereolab. I will gladly take every second of music she sees fit to gift the world, and to be sure, Find Me Finding You (Drag City) is certainly a gift. Timeless, steeped in French traditions, and yet always space aged and forward thinking. Check out the lead track from the album, “Undying Love For Humanity.”