Here’s a rundown of new releases on DSPs and physical releases in record shops this week.
New Albums
boygenius – the record
One of the most anticipated albums of the year arrives from the songwriting alchemy of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus. Their debut album as boygenius is a fine album of indie, folk, alternative songwriting. The band released a 14 minute video shot by Kristen Stewart last night called ‘the film’.
Boygenius will play a headline outdoor gig at Royal Hospital Kilmainham on Monday August 28th.
David Kitt – Idiot Check
The Irish songwriter’s ninth album was written between 2016 and 2022 in Dublin, Paris, and Ballinskelligs in south-west Kerry, where the artist moved during the pandemic and now lives. The song blends his singer-songwriter craft with his electronic knowledge, which is more dancefloor-friendly (as heard as New Jackson) Featuring guests Katie Kim, Margie Jean Lewis, Dylan Lynch of Soda Blonde . Bandcamp.
James Holden – Imagine This Is A High Dimensional Space Of All Possibilities
The first solo album without his band from the UK producer in 10 years (and fourth studio album) explores psychedelic electronica. ‘In The End You’ll Know’
Tyler, The Creator – Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale
Expanded version of recent 2022 album from 16 to 24-tracks and features from Vince Staples, YG and A$AP Rocky.
Deerhoof – Miracle-Level
The alternative band continue to keep Deerhoof weird with their 19th album, weirdly, their first album recorded in a studio and their first featuring lyrics entirely in Japanese. ‘Phase-Out All Remaining Non-Miracles by 2028’
Everything Shook – Blacking Out
Dublin trio electronic band formed in 2012 have demonstrated form with harmony, synth pop, coldwave, electro and darkwave. ‘Too Hot For Me’ / Bandcamp
Larry June & The Alchemist – The Great Escape
Okayplayer has called this indie rap collaboration one of the best of the year.
DMA’s – How Many Dreams?
Australian three-piece rock band play 3Olympia in Dublin in May. This is their fourth album.
Marta & Tricky – When It’s Going Wrong
Marta Złakowska is a Polish vocalist who started her career when she happened to meet visionary musician and maverick Tricky, in November 2017. In the past six years after she joined the band, she went on tour and later on diligently worked in the studio on several recordings before finishing When It’s Going Wrong, her debut album produced by Tricky. Bandcamp.
Ric Wilson, A-Trak & Chromeo – CLUSTERFUNK
Collaborative album trading in electronic funk and rap. ‘Pay No Mind’
Interplanetary Criminal – All Thru The Night
A 15 track compilation of entirely new music from the very best in UK Garage including Main Phase, Bakey, Highrise and more. ‘Reckless’
The New Pornographers – Continue as a Guest
Ninth studio album by indie rock band on Merge Records inspired by a failed e-commerce purchase, possibly. ‘Really Really Light’
Baaba Maal – Being
14th studio album from 69 year-old Senegalese songwriter and icon. Bandcamp. ‘Freak Out’ featuring The Very Best.
ARXX – Ride Or Die
Queer alt-rock Brighton duo recently played with Pillow Queens and have some of that same anthemic indie energy on their debut album. They’ve got an Irish tour in April too. Bandcamp.
Irish Tour:
24th April – Cyprus Avenue, Cork
26th April – Set Theatre, Kilkenny
27th April – The Loft, Galway
28th April – Workman’s Club, Dublin
29th April – Kasbah, Limerick
30th April – Ulster Sports Hall, Belfast
Chlöe – In Pieces
Chlöe, of Chlöe and Halle releases a solo album. The 14-track album features collaborations from Missy Elliott, Future and Chris Brown. ‘Cheatback’ featuring Future’.
City and Colour – The Love Still Held Me Near
“A poignant platter from the sensitive side of Alexisonfire’s Dallas Green…”, says Kerrang. Bandcamp.
Steve Gunn & David Moore – Let the Moon Be a Planet
Let the Moon Be a Planet marks the first volume of Reflections, a new series of contemporary collaborations orchestrated by RVNG Intl., and documents an inspired exchange between guitarist and songwriter Steve Gunn and pianist and composer David Moore of Bing & Ruth. Conjured by a mutual curiosity, and appreciation, for the respective musician’s work, Let the Moon Be a Planet initially took form over a progression of remote sessions and ultimately harmonised when Gunn and Moore completed the album together in the bucolic surroundings of Hudson, New York. Bandcamp.
Ichiko Aoba – Ichiko Aoba with 12 Ensemble (Live at Milton Court)
Japanese songwriter & composer Ichiko Aoba releases a liv album. Aoba was just announced for the Flotations series this May. ‘Hello’
A Certain Ratio – 1982
The band that came out of the late 70s with punk/funk post-new wave are having a creative renaissance in the last few years. ‘Waiting on a Train’
Nakhane – Bastard Jargon
South African musician releases a third album is “a pounding, physical, hot-blooded third album which sounds like grit sprayed over shiny pop. Written over 18 months in Lisbon, Ghent, Oxfordshire, London and Hastings, ‘It’s an existential sex album,’ says the artist. “Almost every song on it has some kind of wink towards sex.” ‘Do You Well (feat. Perfume Genius) ‘
Katie Gately – Fawn / Brute
Californian musician and sound designer Katie Gately’s new album on Houndstooth was written and inspired by “the light and dark of childhood energy following the birth of her first daughter Quinn”. Bandcamp.
Eddie Chacon – Sundown
The artist who was formerly one half of 90’s soul duo Charles and Eddie has found a new lease of creativity releasing celestial soul music on Stones Throw, produced by John Carroll Kirby. Bandcamp.
Alasdair Roberts – Grief in the Kitchen and Mirth in the Hall
Scottish folk singer-songwriter releases a fifth full-length collection of traditional songs on Drag City. Bandcamp.
ZOID – Eternal Space Element
Irish electronic producer third full-length album “fulfills a lifelong dream to combine electronic beats with a lush string quartet,” performed by Cora Venus-Lunny, Aoife Durnin, and Ailbhe Mc Donagh. Each song is a collaboration between ZOiD and the female artist including Meljoann, Miriam Ingram, Suzane Savage, and Inni-K. Bandcamp. Album launch April 2nd.
fabric presents Chaos In The CBD
Lastest Fabric compilation features “a collection of rare house gems spanning from years 1990-2007 which have made a huge impact on the duo over their decade in dance music.”
Damien Jurado – Sometimes You Hurt The Ones You Hate
Seattle songwriter’s “gorgeous, richly diverse and compact album” and his third full length on his label Maraqopa Records. Bandcamp.
The Hold Steady – The Price of Progress
Ninth album from the New York anthemic pop rockers. Bandcamp.
The Zombies – Different Game
Yep, the Zombies are still going since 1962.
Alan Braxe – The Upper Cuts (2023 Edition)
French producer drops a reissue of his 2004 cult classic compilation album which features Stardust, collaborations with Fred Falke, remixes of Britney & more. Spindizzy are selling the vinyl.
Elderbrook – Little Love
Second album from Multi-instrumentalist, producer and singer-songwriter explores parental love in all its multifaceted, complicated glory, via soulful progressive house music. ‘I Need You’
Charlie Cunningham – Frame
Acoustic and flamenco guitarist guitar fraws from jazz, electronic music, neo-classical and indie-folk staple. ‘So It Seems’
Tom Rasmussen – Body Building
Supporting Self Esteem on a UK tour soon, Rasmussen’s debut album features a cover of Arthur Russell and a song which interpolates a Nialler9 favourite on Deewee – Emmanuelle’s ‘Italo Love’ in ‘Street Violence’.
Altin Gün – Ask
Turkish psychedelic rock band (known as Anatolian rock) based in Amsterdam release their fifth album. ‘Rakıya Su Katamam’
Transviolet – Body
San Diego alt-pop band’s fourth studio album. Fun fact: I featured this band way back in 2015. ‘How Lucky’
Small Black – Small Black
Chillwave adjacent band build out a new LP release out of their 2009 self-titled debut EP.
Harpanno – Finding Calm
Irish musicians Aisling Lyons, Dale McKay & Conor Broderick release their debut harp, handpan & piano album of original compositions. Title track.
EP & 12″ Releases
MYLAR – Human Statues EP
Second EP from London art pop band. ‘Dark’
Two Shell – lil spirits EP
The mysterious UK duo vacillate between brilliance and annoying sometimes. See ‘Mum Is Calling’
Kettama – G-TOWN 004
Galway producer releases a double-tracker of heavyweight bangers on Bandcamp.
King Isis – Scales
Californian singer alt-pop artist releases new EP on Dirty Hit / No Matter. ‘taste of u’.
Somoh – A Plan To Get Home
London singer-songwriter of alt-pop songs SOMOH, bringing the alt-American indie pop style. ‘My Body Is A Friend’
Libero – Mbappe Dub
Ireland’s foremost football-related electronica band channel the energies of Liam Brady, Kylian Mbappe and Dirk Kuyt. Bandcamp.
Barrie – 5K
Brooklyn-based musician and producer Barrie Lindsay releases a light companion EP of left-of-centre album Barbara. ‘Races’
ELKAE – Here Come The Monsters EP
Dubliner Laura Keane releases an EP of electronic soul/pop. ‘Get Ready For the Rumours’
Mano Le Tough, Kev Sheridan – III
Third collaborative release on the Maeve label. Bandcamp.
