Ibibio Sound Machine "Uyai"
You’re likely going to be at least a little surprised when I tell you that your favorite new dance album is coming to you from our friends at Merge Records. Ibibio Sound Machine’s Merge debut Uyai is a delicious mixture of amazing genres and influences. Led by London-born Nigerian vocalist Eno Williams, this is an impossible-to-sit-still-through combo of disco, new wave, post-punk, and most notably Afrobeat and West African Funk. The result is like a masterful mashup of William Onyeabor, Missing Persons, late-era Talking Heads, Fela Kuti, and Deerhoof. Yeah. They are going on all of your playlists. You will finish the album, and start it over again immediately. Begin your love affair with “Give Me A Reason.”
Tim Kasher "No Resolution"
No Resolution, the new solo LP from Cursive’s Tim Kasher, finds Tim at the helm of what can only be described as a pop orchestra. Like a pop-punk song cycle with arrangements from Van Dyke Parks, the concept album (I haven’t gotten to write THAT in a blurb in some time, thanks Tim!) about a soon to collapse relationship between an engaged couple. The songs will be appearing later in 2017 in Tim’s directorial debut of the same name. Oh right! I never mentioned the album’s name. It’s called No Resolution (15 Passenger). Like I said, film of the same name, which will be featuring songs like “An Answer for Everything.” Dig in!
Alasdair Roberts "Pangs"
For 15 years now, Alasdair Roberts has been writing and performing songs so timeless that it’s impossible to tell if they were written yesterday or hundreds of years ago. Sure, his Scottish brogue helps add to the ancient sound of his songs, but it’s more than that. He has been known to cover traditional songs from time to time, but his own songs match up with those perfectly. On his latest album Pangs (Drag City) he has cast aside the all-acoustic nature of his last album to include some electrics along with the fiddles and other instruments. Check out the Shakespearean lilt of “The Downward Road.”
Six Organs Of Admittance "Burning The Threshold"
If you’ve never heard a song from Six Organs Of Admittance (which would be shocking, there are like 20 records!), I cannot think of a better place to jump on board than with their latest album Burning The Threshold (Drag City). A gentle, unabashedly pretty album full of peace, love, and understanding. Pastoral folk-esque tunes, like a slowed down Fairport Convention, or a less mope-y Nick Drake, or a more relatable Bon Iver. Some songs have vocals, some do not. That’s how the world works. Seriously, if you need some pretty then look no farther than this record. Start with the fretboard gymnastics of the haunting “Threshold Of Light.”