Past Releases

Chris Staples "Holy Moly (Barsuk)"

Chris Staples has found himself saying “holy moly” a LOT lately. Same, Chris, same. Also, he picked a hell of a time to quit drinking-last year. But in his new found sober time he rediscovered his teenage coping system for his issues. Writing songs. The songs he wrote during this time are the ones found on his new album Holy Moly (Barsuk). Honestly, if this is what sobriety sounds like I might follow in Chris’ footsteps. Full of hopefulness and earworm-worthy melodies, this is as good as Chris has ever been! Whether its the Spoon meets Wilco sounds of the title track “Holy Moly” or the classic Staples folk-balladry of “Spinning Wheel” you’re sure to cheer up checking out Holy Moly. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if you said “holy moly” yourself (or at least “man that is moldy” when opening your bread box. Freeze what you don’t need next time!). So check out the title track already!

Russian Circles "Blood Year (Sargent House)"

The majestic, angular, post-rock masters Russian Circles are back with what might be the best album of their storied career. I know, right? But Blood Year (Sargent House) is everything you want it to be. Mysterious, heavy, melodic, dramatic, full of riffs and builds and Bill Riffs, who is this guy I know that teaches an intro to guitar class at the local rec center. Ok, so maybe I made that last part up (i’ll never tell!) but I didn’t make any of the other stuff at all. Mere moments into the face-melting post-rock that is “Arluck” and you’re gonna wish you hadn’t canceled on Mr. Riffs’ class last week, so give it a listen!

Chris Rivers "G.I.T.U. (Mello)"

G.I.T.U. (Mello Music) is the debut album from Chris Rivers, son of the late rapper Big Pun. Crisp beats oscillate between the classic sounds his father would have rapped over and hi-hat triplets galore for the modern rap fans-but the focus here is Chris’ smooth, lyrical delivery. As Chris says about the album “it traverses my mental state, life experiences, loves had and lost, stories and my overcoming of obstacles both external and internal while learning to love myself and becoming the best version of who I could be.” Check out the heartbreaking tribute to his late father with “Sincerely Me.”

Joell Ortiz "Monday (Mello)"

For all I know, Joell Ortiz and Garfield the cat have tons of stuff in common. I have no idea if Joell loves lasagna, hates Nermal, or sits AROUND the house. But I do know one thing on which they diverge… Joell Ortiz LOVES Mondays. They feel like a new beginning to him every week. Dtill though, I would hope Garfield would like Joell’s hype beats and rhymes more than his least-favorite day. After all, Joell has a way of staying positive even in adversity here, uplifting himself and others with his obviously positive outlook. Even if he’s pissed, he’s still doing his best. It says in the PR for Monday (Mello) that he doesn’t want to seem like a superhero here despite his long career, but like a working man that keeps his head down and goes to work. Nod along to the anthemic “Captain.”