Here’s a rundown of new releases on DSPs and physical releases in record shops this week.
New Albums
Yaeji – With A Hammer
Second album from the Korean New York electronic artist on XL Recordings.
With A Hammer, follow Yaeji’s journey as she wades through the murkiness of sorrow and doubt and releases the frenzy of anger, with the help of a metaphorical hammer—which she wields to smash the rigid rules, expectations, and barriers that prevented her from speaking her fullest truth. Through this transformative process, she eventually meets the thrilling self-determination and hope that awaits on the other side.
whenyoung – Paragon Songs
The second album from the London-based Limerick band, now a duo, who have switched up their sound from indie-rock to a softer synth indie pop style. Paragon Songs is an exploratory journey through the dark depths of self-criticism, rises into an ambition for change and a desire to welcome healing and self-love – it’s a self-help and rite of passage album. It was written between a cottage in County Clare on the West coast of Ireland, and in a flat on a street called Paragon on the East coast of England.
Daughter – Stereo Mind Game
Returning with their first studio album for seven years, Stereo Mind Game is a new chapter for Daughter. Released on 7April, the group’s third record follows Not to Disappear (2016) and soundtrack Music from Before the Storm (2017). After more than a decade spent depicting the darkest emotions, the trio of Elena Tonra, Igor Haefeli and Remi Aguilella present their most optimistic record yet.
Overcoats – Winner
Third album from New York based indie pop duo consisting of singer-songwriters Hana Elion and JJ Mitchell. ‘Horsegirl’
Thomas Bangalter – Mythologies
A 90-minute album called Mythologies, which was originally written for a ballet of the same name, choreographed by Angelin Preljocaj and premiered at the Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine in France. Writing started in autumn 2019, after being invited by Preljocaj to create a score for the house’s resident orchestra. It features 23 tracks which “embrace the history of orchestral ballet music” and was originally performed alongside ten dancers. ‘X. L’Accouchement’
Tim Hecker – No Highs
The latest by Canadian composer Tim Hecker serves as a beacon of unease against the deluge of false positive corporate ambient currently in vogue. Whether taken as warning or promise, No Highs delivers – this is music of austerity and ambiguity, purgatorial and seasick. A jagged anti-relaxant for our medicated age, rough-hewn and undefined. Bandcamp.
Swimmers Jackson – Now is All
London-based Irish songwriter’s latest album of indie rock music, recorded in Limerick with Micháel Keating (Bleeding Heart Pigeons) and with Brendan McInerney on drums. The title track has a neat AI video. Bandcamp.
HMLTD – The Worm
English art punk band’s second album, created over the course of two years with a cast of 47 musicians – including a gospel choir and a 16-piece string orchestra – The Worm is less a concept album than a fully-fledged musical universe, transcending genre and medium. Set in a disorienting anachronistic version of Medieval England – as steeped in dystopian sci-fi fantasy as it is folklore and Old English mythology – it’s part political polemic, part deeply moving psychological journey. ‘Wyrmlands’
µ-Ziq – 1977
Mike Paradinas releases a new album on Albert Salinas and Philip Sherburne’s new label Balmat. There are echoes of raves and chillout rooms and transmissions from the fringes of techno; there are detuned synths and glistening reverb tails and, above all, gauzy vox pads, the eerie glue that holds it all together. Bandcamp.
Daniel Caesar – NEVER ENOUGH
Third album from hazy R&B crooner. ‘Do You Like Me?’
Billie Marten – Drop Cherries
Fourth album from UK indie singer-songwriter. ‘This Is How We Move’
Nathan Fake – Crystal Vision
English electronic producer’s new LP on his own Cambria Instruments imprint, which features collaborations with Clark and Wizard Apprentice. Bandcamp.
Ellie Goulding – Higher Than Heaven
English pop artist back with her fifth album.
Desire Marea – On the Romance of Being
Written following South African artist’s training as a traditional Ngui spiritual healer, it’s a real melting pot of contemporary influences alongside traditional Zulu, combined with Desire’s love of fashion, art and electronic music. ‘Be Free’
Jana Horn – The Window Is The Dream
The Texas-born singer-songwriter’s second LP. Bandcamp.
Crocodiles – Upside Down in Heaven
San Diego indie rock/glam-punk duo. ‘Degeneration’.
Teleman – Good Time/Hard Time
Fourth album from English band who are now a trio. They play live at The Button Factory, on April 24th. ‘Trees Grow High’
Heather Woods Broderick – Labyrinth
Maine-born, Los Angeles-based songwriter’s new one is full of of warm electronic art-pop. ‘Crashing Against The Sun’
Worriers – Warm Blanket
Fourth full-length from Brooklyn feminist indie band lead by Lauren Denitzio. Bandcamp.
Oracle Sisters – Hydranism
Paris-based three piece trading in dream pop and indie. ‘RBH’
Blondshell – Blondshell
Indie rock project by American musician Sabrina Teitelbaum, based in Los Angeles, California. ‘Salad’
First Class And Coach – Neon Hip
Cork alt-rock band release their second album on FIFA Records. “Neon Hip is a lyrical journey but mostly a testament to loss and grief”, says vocalist Geraldine Thomas. “I see ‘Neon Hip’ as a gift – remembering someone or something, sonically wrapped – eternally.” Bandcamp.
Orwells ’84 – The Crucible
Dundalk indie-folk six-piece release their second album. Bandcamp.
Mudhoney – Plastic Eternity
One of the original Seattle grunge bands still going. Their twelfth album on Sub Pop.
Wednesday – Rat Saw God (Dead Oceans)
North Carolina fuzz-rock band’s latest is Stereogum’s album of the week. ‘Bull Believer’
Ben Gregory – Episode
Debut solo album from Ben Gregory once of Blaenavon on Transgressive. It showcases his struggles with mental health by way of a varied sound that veers from intimate Elliott Smith-like confessionals to expansive Nine Inch Nails and The 1975 style widescreen productions. Blaine Harrisson of Mystery Jets was in the production hot seat. ‘Manifest’
Emma Tricca – Aspirin Sun
Folk and psychedelia singer-songwriter on Bella Union. ‘King Blixa’
EP & 12″ Releases
Breen – Dublin Delight EP
A four-track EP recorded from the Irish producer made with live performance and the dance floor in mind taking in high-energy, acidic dance tracks with a few twists thrown in. ‘Rave Auld Times’ was made using dialogue samples from the 2016 documentary Notes On Rave In Dublin. Bandcamp.
Katie Gerardine O’Neill – I Night EP
Irish experimental artist uses reel to reel tape, field recording, live instruments and software to make textured ambient art on Frontend Synthetics. Bandcamp.
Yop – Dance On My Grave EP
YOP are a DIY krauty-psychey-noisey-dancey-punky 2 piece with a drum machine based in Ballina. Bandcamp.
Cydnee with a C – Confessions of a Fangirl
EP
Fans of Pinkpantheress and the current nu-garage revival will find much to enjoy in this new EP from Atalanta artist Cydnee with a C.. Bandcamp.
