Small Feet "…With Psychic Powers (Barsuk)"
Simon Stålhamr is back with his second album as Small Feet. (I wonder if anyone accidentally downloaded a Small Feet record thinking they were gonna get back into Little Feet and thought “woah, they are way weirder than I remember”) …With Psychic Powers (Barsuk) finds Simon leaning more experimentally than his last (critically acclaimed) effort Far Enough Away Everything Sounds Like The Ocean. He’s mixing in more of that neo-psych rock sound-leaving the whole thing sounding a little Beach Boys, a little Syd Barrett, a little Congratulations-era MGMT, and a lot amazing. Reverb soaked and mysterious, often with a multi-tracked chorus of one. Check out the incredible album opener “Let The Guys Down.”
Fintan "Then We Fall EP"
The hushed modern pop of Fintan has never been in greater focus than on the 6 songs that make up the Then We Fall EP. Mixing smooth beats with his tranquil, soulful vocals, and emotive lyrical prowess, this EP is the culmination of his songwriting work. He decided to combine his singer-songwriter roots with the pop music he loves. The result are these meticulously crafted pop gems. Check out the laid back groove of “Say It Again.”
Ibibio Sound Machine "Doko Mien (Merge)"
I can only assume that you’ve been a fan of the infectious combination of influences Ibibio Sound Machine has been swirling together for the past few years whilst perfecting their sound. Well, get ready to add some absolutely filthy funk flexing to their mixture. Doko Mien (Merge) finds vocalist Eno Williams and the rest of the band combining ‘80s club and pop music, ‘70s funk, and West African blues and pop music into a wholly new sound that somehow sounds vintage and like its from the future at the same time. Neat trick, right? It’s like your Miami Sound Machine records melted into your Bettie Davis reissues and then that newly formed record melted into your best of Fela Kuti record and somehow this record made out of three melted records still plays, and sounds amazing! Check out the lead off track “Need You To Be Sweet Like Sugar” and ask yourself “why aren’t more bands getting greasy with funky basslines like this anymore?”
Lambchop "This (is what I wanted to tell you) (Merge)"
There is no getting around the fact that the career of Lambchop has been unexpected. It was easy to call them something like alternative country in their first few years, but if in 1998 while I couldn’t stop listening to “What Another Man Spills” you told me that in 20 years Lambchop would be an esoteric autotuned vocals and synth project I don’t know what I would have said. Probably something like “what’s autotune?” But if you really listen to what Kurt Wagner is doing lately, with Mr. M and FLOTUS, and here on This (is what I wanted to tell you) (Merge) he’s doing what he’s always been doing. Subverting expectations all while delivering lyrical mastery that’s nearly unsurpassed. This time we find him paired up with Hiss Golden Messenger and Bon Iver drummer Matthew McCaughan. They formed something of a musical pen-pal relationship. Kurt would send Matt acapella vocal performances, and Matt would arrange something for them using his newly-found love of rack synths. The results are as unexpected and lovely as anything Lambchop has done in their career. Expect the unexpected and you will get exactly what you are looking for here. Check out the subtly groovy “Everything For You.”