Here’s a rundown of new releases on DSPs and physical releases in record shops this week.
New Albums
Jessie Ware – That! Feels Good!
Fifth studio album from the UK disco pop artist, sounds like it might be one of her best yet. ‘Pearls’
The National – First Two Pages of Frankenstein
The ninth studio album by the indie rock band features Sufjan Stevens, Phoebe Bridgers (twice), and notably, Taylor Swift. Here’s ‘The Alcott’ featuring Taylor. The band play 3Arena in September.
Nabihah Iqbal – Dreamer
A genuinely interesting story behind the album: Iqbal’s studio was burgled in early 2020 and she lost all her work. Already with burnout and a broken hand, and with police looking for fingerprints in the studio, she got a call – her grandfather in Pakistan had suffered a brain haemorrhage.
The next day she went to Karachi, and the distance from the burglary, gave her a new perspective on music, which lead to a back to basics approach of returning to an acoustic guitar and a harmonium. ‘Sunflower’
Indigo De Souza – All of This Will End
North Carolina musician Indigo De Souza’s new album Saddle Creek. ‘Younger & Dumber’. De Souza plays Otherside Festival.
Avalon Emerson – & the Charm
Electronic producer moves into shoegaze territory with producer Bullion and a live band. ‘Sandrail Silhouette’
Gabriels – Angels & Queens Part II
Part two of the album from Los Angeles soul trio.
JFDR – Museum
Icelandic alternative artist’s new album on Houndstooth. JFDR says “an album about clearing and healing; like breathing fresh strong air through your old self.” ‘Spectator’
Matt Maltese – Driving Just To Drive
Fourth full length from the artist returns to simpler classic songwriting sound. Biig Piig guests. Live At The Dealership.
Susanne Sundfør – Blómi
Norwegian artist makes further moves away from synthwave into folk singer-songwriter style with latest album.
Braids – Euphoric Recall
Canadian band who dip between electronic pop and alternative styles, release their fifth studio album. ‘Evolution’ sounds like a Caribou song.
Ron Morelli – Heart Stopper
L.I.E.S. producer delves into classic house on the label’s 200th release.
Romance – Fade Into You
The artist who made two whole albums out of Celine Dion samples releases a debut album is inspired by the Rainer Werner Fassbinder 1975 melodramatic film The Bitter Tears Of Petra Von Kant about a toxic relationship between a haughty fashion designer and a beautiful but icy ingenue. Bandcamp.
The Holy Roman Army – Modern European
Sparked during lockdown as a Chris solo endeavour, Modern European is the third Holy Roman Army album, which explores ideas about Europe and music of the continent, with Ulrich Schnauss and the Morr Music label cited. Bandcamp.
Tom Trago – Deco
Not an album inspired by a Dublin character called Deco, but named after a sauna that helped him “decompress” and de-toxify his body. Eventually, a more extended period of “decompression” was needed, with Trago moving to the coast to reassess his priorities and spend more time with his young family.
Eomac – Water Tracks
Aquatic-themed album from the Irish electronic producer. ‘Bubble Up’
The Orb – Prism
Seventeenth studio album by English ambient house duo.
Labrinth – Ends & Begins
Euphoria music producer returns to solo work.
Tina Boonstra – Circle Back, Start Again
UK singer-songwriter releases debut album.
Terr – Consciousness As A State Of Matter
The debut electronic solo LP from Daniella Cadellas on Phantasy Sound.
Mike Dean – 4:23
Producer to the stars releases his fourth solo studio record, features The Weeknd on co-production.
Skinny Pelembe – Hardly The Same Snake
Doncaster-based South African artist melds soul and alt-rock on his new album on Partisan Records. He plays Whelan’s Upstairs in October. ‘Deadman Deadman Deadman’
Joseph – The Sun
Oregon sister indie pop trio’s new album on ATO Records. Title track.
Freya Ridings – Blood Orange
UK singer-songwriter has a big following here and plays Dublin, Belfast and Limerick later this year.
Baby Rose – Through and Through
Washington singer releases new album via Secretly today which features collaborations with Smino and Georgia Anne Muldrow. ‘Stop The Bleeding’
EP & 12″ Releases
Lemonade Shoelace – Do Whatever Makes You Happy EP
Irish psychedelic indie-pop artist Ruari Richman. ‘I Think My Heart Is Set On You’
Beach House – Become EP
The band’s Record Store Day release gets a streaming option. Features songs that Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally made during Once Twice Melody sessions.
JYellowL – Shades Of Yellow
Six-track EP from the Dublin rapper. Spotify.
SL – Turbulence EP
UK rapper with co-signs spanning JME, Stormzy and Drake and collaborators like Kenny Beats and Pa Salieu.
Spider – Hell Or High Water EP
London-based Tallaght artist and creator of alt-pop. ‘America’s Next Top Model’
Nienna – Rollover EP
Irish producer’s new five-track EP of UK and 2-step Garage, with elements of Dubstep, Grime, Dub and sub bass on Choki Biki. Bandcamp.
Deb Never – Thank You For Attending
Korean American musician’s alt pop five-tracker. ‘Momentary Sweetheart’
