Here’s a rundown of new releases on DSPs and physical releases in record shops this week.
New Albums
Lankum – False Lankum
The fourth album from the Dublin trad folk band (and second on Rough Trade) finds them digging deeper into the droning mire of their sound, finding new shades in old music, and writing two of their own originals in the process – ‘Netta Perseus’ and ‘The Turn’ were both written by Daragh Lynch. ‘Newcastle’
Lana Del Rey – Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd
The songwriter’s ninth album was co-produced by Lana Del Rey alongside Mike Hermosa, Jack Antonoff, Drew Erickson, Zach Dawes, and Benji, and includes features from Jon Batiste, Bleachers, Father John Misty, Judah Smith, Tommy Genesis, and SYML. ‘A&W’ is already an all-timer.
Danny Brown & JPEGMAFIA – Scaring The Hoes
Two rap iconoclasts combine on an out-there gristled sonics album that features the song title ‘Jack Harlow Combo Meal’. Bandcamp.
Martin Hayes & the Common Ground Ensemble – Peggy’s Dream
‘Peggy’s Dream is dedicated to Hayes’ musical partner Dennis Cahill who died last June aged 68, and Dennis’ mother Peggy.
Caroline Rose – The Art of Forgetting
Long Island singer-songwriter and alt-pop musician, has form in fine albums. Rose has European and UK tour dates including Dublin’s Whelan’s on June 1st. ‘Miami’
Benny Sings – Young Hearts
Kenny Beats-produced album on Stones Throw from the artist known to occupy West Coast AOR to ‘70s R&B and hip-hop for his signature sound. ‘Pyjamas’ ft Remi Wolf .
Kate Davis – Fish Bowl
From American artist Kate Davis’ second album Fish Bowl on ANTI-Records), ‘Call Home’ is a song that holds experiences of isolation, escaped through fantasy, in other words her “big pandemic feelings song.” Davis is on tour in Europe in May.
Debby Friday – Good Luck
Born in Nigeria and now based in Toronto, the multi-disciplinary artist whose debut album on Sub Pop was co-produced and mixed by Friday and Graham Walsh (METZ, Holy Fuck) in Toronto. ‘So Hard To Tell’ is a jam. A fresh pick to prioritise this week.
Black Country, New Road – Live at Bush Hall
A brand new album of unreleased material from Black Country, New Road, recorded at the music venue Bush Hall, in London at a series of unique shows at the end of December 2022. A whole show is on Youtube.
Depeche Mode – Memento Mori
Martin Gore and Dave Gahan’s first album after the unexpected death of founding member Andrew Fletcher last May, is getting very good reviews. ‘Soul With Me’
Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer, Shazhad Ismaily – Love In Exile
The Pakistani/American singer regroups with former collaborators after the breakthrough album Vulture Prince, pairing her folk songwriting with jazz pianist Iyer and the synths of Ismaily.
Matt Corby – Everything’s Fine
The Australian singer-songwriter’s first album in five years on Communion. ‘Big Smoke’
Phil Kieran – The Strand Cinema
Northern Irish electronic producer, DJ and and film composer’s sixth solo album is a tribute to the art deco cinema building, The Strand, where Phil’s recording studio has been based for five years and which he cites as an influence on his move towards cinematic sound. .”…traverses the worlds of contemporary classical to beautifully elevated techno and dance music with a recognisably cinematic influence.” ‘Monarch’
Secret Machines – The Moth, the Lizard, and the Secret Machines
New York 2000s rock band Secret Machines spent the past few years finally putting the finishing touches on what should have been their fourth LP. Long regarded as a lost album, The Moth, The Lizard and the Secret Machines was actually put on pause in 2010. Bandcamp.
Kele Okereke – The Flames pt. 2
Bloc Party singer Kele Okereke’s sixth solo album is a response to 2021’s The Waves pt.1, a pandemic album.
Kool Keith & Real Bad Man – Serpent
An indie-rap album from veteran rap weirdo Kool Keith and Boldy James associate Real Bad Man. ‘Serpent’
Ane Brun – Portrayals
A new collection of her most popular cover versions features covers of Radiohead, Beyoncé and Foreigner.
King Cedar – Everything More, & Other Stories
Bangor-based folk songwriter, Stephen Macartney’s debut album as King Cedar, recorded and produced in LA after a chance meeting in his hometown with some Californian musicians. Spotify.
The Natural Lines – The Natural Lines
New York band featuring the artist formerly known as Matt Pond PA on Bella Union. ‘The Problem Is Me’
Lucinda Chua – YIAN
London-based artist and occasional cellist for FKA Twigs, Stars of the Lid, Helm and Sega Bodega; “YIAN” (燕), means swallow in Chinese, and is part of “Siew Yian,” the name given to Chua by her parents to preserve her connection with her Chinese heritage. Bandcamp.
Micheál Dear, Maverick Sabre – Beat Tape Vol. 1
A beat tape from Mav Sabre. Youtube.
Cillian – Great Minds Think Alike
17-year-old music producer from Dublin has an album out with Dublin rapper X Cess. Spotify.
V/A – Secret Weapons Part 15
Innervisions release the 15th installment of the series of dancefloor tunes curated by Dixon and Âme. Bandcamp.
Major League Djz – Piano Republik
South African DJ/producer duo consisting of identical twin brothers Bandile and Banele Mbere, and Major Lazer have teamed to release the collaborative album Piano Republik. Features Channel Tres, DJ Maphorisa, Ty Dolla $ign and more.
EP & 12″ Releases
Yaya Bey – Exodus the North Star EP
Brooklyn R&B singer Yaya Bey fuses soul, jazz, reggae, afrobeat and hip-hop. This EP is a followup to last year’s Remember Your North Star album. ‘On The Pisces Moon’.
David Keenan – Crude Boyo EP
Five-track companion EP to last year’s Crude album from the Dundalk singer-songwriter. Bandcamp
ROSALÍA & Rauw Alejandro – R∞Я
Three-track collaborative EP between Rosalía and Puerto Rican singer Rauw Alejandro.
Heartworms – A Comforting Notion EP
Goth-inspired post-punk on Speedy Wunderground. ‘Retributions Of An Awful Life’
The Fully Automatic Model & Sullem Voe – Body & Soul EP
Two Derry electronic artists, electronic multimedia artist Jonny Delaney (TFAM) and music producer Rory Donaghy (Sullem Voe), turn a collaborative live A/V show into an EP release, heavily influenced by ambient electronica, krautrock, cinematic, IDM and dub. Bandcamp.
Om Unit – Atlantis
Four track EP of acid-dub tracks from the UK producer.
Baby___ASL – Snakeskin
Avant alternative pop from Baby_ASL on a label more readily associated with drill – AP Life. Reminiscent of Mica Levi for sure. Boomkat.
