Hauschka "What If (Temporary Residence)"
I think of Volker Bertelmann, aka Hauschka, as sort of a musician/mad scientist hybrid (the same super-awesome moniker could be given to lots of the amazing musicians on the Temporary Residence roster). Since 2004, he has made a name for himself as a composer of music for prepared pianos (the art of putting stuff in the piano so it sounds different, i.e. art erasers, pencils, metal hardware). While he still does this on his latest, What If (like I said, Temporary Residence), he takes it one step farther. This time he’s ALSO preparing player pianos, composing for them to play songs at a speed that wouldn’t be possible by human hands (I don’t care WHAT Lang Lang says, he can’t play this fast). The result is parts eerie and hauntingly beautiful, like a mixture of Aphex Twin’s recent acoustic work and the soundtrack composing of Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood, which Hauschka sites as a heavy influence. Check out the nervous beauty of “Constant Growth Fails.”
Sneaks "It’s A Myth (Merge)"
Sneaks DIY debut Gymnastics was one of my favorite albums of 2016. Super short songs. Drum machines. Bass. Dry vocals from Eva Moolchan (the only member of the solo band). It invigorated me in a way that hasn’t happened in a long time. So singular. So simple. So how is her follow-up? Thankfully It’s A Myth (Merge) is another post-punk dose of brevity and brilliance. Recorded by Mary Timony, this is still Sneaks thru-and-thru. Wry, stream of consciousness lyrical playfulness, I cannot get over how much Eva is able to achieve with such a small palette. I guess Orson Welles was right when he said the “absence of limitations (is) the enemy of art.” He also said “bring me the Steak Au Poivre” but that’s getting slightly off topic. Check out the blistering “Hair Slick Back.”
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.”