Here’s a rundown of new releases on DSPs and physical releases in record shops this week.
New Albums
Doja Cat – Scarlet
The pop star’s pre-release tracks have been leaning in more interesting hip-hop directions so I’m really keen to hear how it all shakes out. ‘Balut’
Samantha Urbani – Showing Up
Former Blood Orange collaborator Samantha Urbani (also of the band Friends) is flying the flag for ’80s light funk and synth pop. ‘More Than A Feeling’
MIKE, Wiki & The Alchemist – Faith Is a Rock
10-track three way collaboration between the NY producer and two high-calibre rappers, ahead of Alchemist’s Earl Sweatshirt Voir drop on October 6th.
The National – Laugh Track
The indie rock band surprise released a new album this week companion to First Two Pages of Frankenstein, culled from the same sessions as that album.
Roosevelt – Embrace
German electronic pop artist’s fourth album heavily influenced by early 80s disco bass lines, and singers like Melba Moore or Gwen Guthrie. Released on Counter Records/Ninja Tune. Bandcamp.
Loraine James – Gentle Confrontation
Third album for Hyperdub informed by the math rock and emo-electronic such as DNTEL, Lusine, and Telefon Tel Aviv of her adolescence. Bandcamp.
Khruangbin & Toro y Moi – Live at the Fillmore Miami
Split live album.
yeule – softscars
“Cathartic punk riffs and ethereal electronics” from alt-pop artist on Ninja Tune. Title track.
Laurel Halo – Atlas
“A diaphanous, luxurious, and complex consolidation of spiritual jazz, ambient and contemporary classical, it’s an AOTY contender and one to file alongside work by Pharoah Sanders, GAS, Gavin Bryars or Klein,” says Boomkat. Bandcamp.
Kylie Minogue – Tension
The pop legend follows up her latest career high ‘Padam Padam’ with a new album that draws on the various genre styles she’s adorned in the past.
Kevin Drew – Aging
‘Aging’, the third solo album from Broken Social Scene singer, was the inevitable title of his meditative new record – because he was living everything that comes with it. Influenced by the recent passing of friends and family, the album brings together songs written over a decade marked by the signifiers of midlife – love, loss, and illness – all while wrestling with the hard truths of aging.
Teenage Fanclub – Nothing Lasts Forever
Long running Scottish indie rock stalwarts release twelfth album. ‘Foreign Land‘.
Mouse on Mars – Bilk
30 years into the band’s existence Andi Toma and Jan St. Werner revise the duo’s history by producing three LPs that would place the band’s discography under a slightly different light. Bilk marks the beginning of that investigation: a free-flowing assemblage of everything that vibrates and can be caught on tape. A 30 year old recording with subtle new edits and additions. Bandcamp.
CHAI – CHAI
Japanese “neo-kawaii” alt-pop band’s fourth album Sub Pop. ‘Game’
Devendra Banhart – Flying Wig
Flying Wig is an album of recurrent dualities; a can of paradoxes, a box of worms. The redwood and pine-surrounded cabin studio where Banhart was “constantly listening to The Grateful Dead” somehow birthed something slick, modernist, city pop-adjacent and Eno-esque. Bandcamp.
Kiefer – It’s Ok, B U
New album on Stones Throw from Los Angeles artist informed by Black American Music, fromjazz and R&B to hip-hop and electronic music. Bandcamp.
Das Koolies – DK.01
Four fifths of the Super Furry Animals (sans Gruff) are continuing to make interesting music, specifically in a “techno-seamed dream project” vibe. ‘Ride’
Night Noise Team – Happenings
Franco-Northern Irish mature pop duo incorporate elements of funk, rock and French chanson. Since the band last convened in Scotland ten years ago, The band are Parisian Fabien Pinardon (songs, production, multi-instrumentalist)and Belfast-born Sean Ormsby (songs, voice, guitar). Bandcamp.
Will Butler & Sister Squares – Will Butler + Sister Squares
The non-problematic Butler brother got out and went solo before shit hit the fan. A New York–based band rooted in dance and theatre, Sister Squares is Sara Dobbs, Julie Shore, Jenny Shore, and Miles Francis, who have toured on and off with Will Butler since 2015 as a backing band but are now full collaborators.
fabric presents Helena Hauff
German techno and electro producer’s mix spans 77 minutes, featuring 19 tracks of banging, high-tempo, punchy electro, breakbeat, and techno, full of hammering percussion and squelchy acidic synths.
Conor Furlong – Undo The Past
Irish singer-songwriter with classic pop-rock influences like REM, Aha, Bowie and Mercury Rev. ‘Can I Make You Realise?’
Chappell Roan – The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess
Trending US pop artist. ‘Hot To Go!’
EP & 12″ Releases
Tebi Rex – Sitcom EP
Max Zanga and Matt O’s new EP is a bright alt-pop EP inspired by 90’s TV and all of the shows they grew up with, “crafted from a place of love, laughter and crippling self-awareness.” ‘People Pleaser’
Little Dragon & April + VISTA – Slipping Into Color EP
Swedish band collaborate with Washington D.C. jazzy duo on EP ahead of their tour.
Soccer Mommy – Karaoke Night EP
Features covers of Taylor Swift, Sheryl Crow, Slowdive, R.E.M. and Pavement.
Bibio – Sunbursting EP
7-track EP of Stephen Wilkinson’s trademark pastoral electronic pop. Features Olivier St. Louis, Óskar Guðjónsson and Dorian Concept. Bandcamp.
Mykki Blanco – Postcards From Italia EP
6-track holiday-themed “Italian cowboy era” EP from the American alt-artist.
LSDXOXO – Delusions Of Grandeur (D.O.G) EP
Techno disruptor is one of the artist’s playing the upcoming Dublin Boiler Room.
Lauren Flax and Pale Blue – Liz and Lauren EP
Brooklyn DJ & producer Lauren Flax teams up with Liz Wight of shoegaze techno duo Pale Blue, whose sultry vocals explore questions of love and isolation to the tune of Detroit house and acidic techno. Bandcamp.
Big Wett – Pu$$Y EP
Australian peddler of fun electro-pop smut, who was fun at The Great Escape.
