New Music Friday!

[Nee Lewman]

What, pray tell, does a fucking ghost sound like?

Non-snarky answer… he’s not forward in the mix but sounds like he’s floating above it, if that makes sense? It sounds processed but not necessarily auto-toned. I’m not real sure what they did to it. It just sounds weird on all my good equipment and just sounds great tonight in mono out of a better than average Bluetooth for outside who cares if you fuck it up speaker.

 

[musicjunkiegreg]

Like Willie on his new fucking album.

 

[musicjunkiegreg]

My wife, who doesn’t understand the obsession with sound, agreed that it sounds better on my Bluetooth speaker.

Then it 100% sounds better on the Bluetooth speaker

 

[Nee Lewman]

I’ve liked these guys for a minute, but this new album is something else… nice atmospheric country:

 

[avecigrec]

Edit: they're trying hard for the "worst albums" list, too

Yeah, that wasn't awesome. Not as bad as Spin Doctors, but not for me.

 

[avecigrec]

Lee Reed is back after a minute with a fresh album of radical anti-capitalist hip hop, released in honour of May Day today!

 

[Rip_City]

Last two months. Not as much listened as I'd like due to Japan vacation, as I don't listen to new music (or really any at all) when away.

• Circuit Des Yeux - Halo on the Inside [Haley continuing her hellish brand of art pop, with a more Bauhaus-influenced post-punk flair this time around. Punishingly gorgeous closing track]
• Marie Davidson - City of Clowns [the way this music makes me feel is like if a dominatrix strapped me to a chair, tied my limbs uncomfortably tight with the roughest, scratchiest rope and whipped me until I was red raw against my will...and I liked it. For that reason, it's probably my AotY for now]
• Deafheaven - Lonely People With Power [George's screams have returned! Band is back in form. The punishing sounds of New Bermuda with the accessibility of Sunbather combine their worlds to make this new effort...a decade later. "Amethyst" is a career highlight for the group]
• Eiko Ishibashi (石橋英子) - Antigone [not only is Ishibashi's voice beautiful, the production from Jim O'Rourke is masterful. Ambient/art pop that is strikingly similar to a late-era Mark Hollis composition. Her scores to a few recent Japanese films are equally wonderful]
• Takuro Okada (岡田拓郎) - The Near End, The Dark Night, The County Line [hits the right notes, and hits them solemnly. Incredibly soothing]
• Laurie Torres - Après coup [will probably fly under the radar; recommended for ambient jazz/modern classical listeners. Loved it!]

• Barker - Stochastic Drift [works better as a passive listen, even if the IDM/ambient hybrid has some interesting structures]
• Boldy James, V Don - Alphabet Highway
• Jefre Cantu-Ledesma - Gift Songs
• Lou-Adriane Cassidy - Journal d'un Loup-Garou
• Greentea Peng - TELL DEM IT'S SUNNY [enjoyed the trip-hop style of a few songs]
• Havukruunu - Tavastland
• Lonnie Holley - Tonky
• Imperial Triumphant - Goldstar
• Le Motel - Odd Numbers / Số Lẻ [more experimental than the average Balmat title]
• Loradeniz - SUN SHONE [another solid MFM release, even if it might not be a true highlight. Still gonna seek one out for the library obvs. The tracks on the back half with house leanings surprised me]
• Men I Trust - Equus Asinus
• Panda Bear - Sinister Grift
• Lucy Railton - Blue Veil [produced by Kali Malone, yes, but not quite as harrowing as her works. Wouldn't say no to seeing Lucy in a live setting tho]
• SPELLLING - Portrait of My Heart [Tia proving that she can pull off a genre transition well enough. Art pop works better for her voice, even if this is a commendable effort]
• YHWH Nailgun - 45 Pounds [I feel like this is close to , but not ready to say that]

• Boldy James, Ant Beatz - Hommage [the volume of releases needs to be slowed; we aren't getting another Bo Jackson at this rate]
• clipping. - Dead Channel Sky [great live show! Doesn't change my opinion here]
• Deep Sea Diver - Billboard Heart
• DJ Koze - Music Can Hear Us [looks like you're drunk again, Pitchfork]
• Jason Isbell - Foxes in the Snow [I've finally listened to a Jason Isbell record. Might be the last time I do that]
• Japanese Breakfast - For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women) [see Michelle Zauner's expression on the (standard) cover? Yeah, sounds about right]
• Lady Gaga - MAYHEM [would fare better if the tracklist were shortened and the so-so "Die With a Smile" wasn't the finisher]
• Moreish Idols - All in the Game
• Che Noir, Superior - Seeds in Babylon
• Konrad Sprenger - Set [I was hoping this would be excellent, but this pair of avantgarde pieces left me cold]

• Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco - I Said I Love You First
• Kilbourne - If Not to Give a Fantasy
• Melvins - Thunderball [run-of-the-mill modern Melvins, go figure]
• Mumford & Sons - RUSHMERE [it wasn't THAT bad...]
• SASAMI - Blood on the Silver Screen

• JENNIE - Ruby [I don't think the any of the individual BLACKPINK members are going to make an interesting LP. This one lacks interesting pop detours, with some gross pop production all the while]
• LISA - Alter Ego [See above. This one sees LISA having her experiment on dropping some AWFUL trap numbers]
• Will Smith - Based on a True Story [does not slap]

Second thoughts:

• Darkside - Nothing

 

[musicjunkiegreg]

First new music Friday of May and I've kicked it off, obviously, with one of my most anticipated albums of the year, Pirouette, by dance punk, post-punk, experimental, industrial noise and art rock quartet, Model/Actriz. This is their second LP and it follows up their 2023 debut,  Dogsbody, which landed in my Top5 for that year. So, yeah, high expectations on this new one!

Pirouette essentially picks up right where  Dogsbody left off. Stylistically, it's a continuation and sounds very similar. Lyrically, it's similar as well, but I feel like this new one is more vulnerable and personal than its predecessor. And Cole Haden's vocals are as infectious and as potent as ever.



Do not expect to sit still listening to this album. At the most, it will have you dancing around and headbanging, and at the very least it will have you bouncing your knee and bobbing your head. 'Vespers' is such a strong opener and one of my favorite songs on the album. Lead single, 'Cinderella', is still my favorite on the album (the music video is likely going to be my favorite of the year). Some of the tracks more on the noise rock side include 'Poppy', 'Diva', 'Audience', and 'Ring Road'. 'Departures' and 'Doves' are two other absolute bangers on the second half of the album. Right in the middle of the album, you have the one-two gut-punch of 'Headlights' and 'Acid Rain', the latter being one of the album's strongest offerings. Similarly, closing track, 'Baton' leaves us with an emotional send off.

Overall, after an initial listen I'd say this album is a must-hear! Is it better than their debut? I cannot make that decision yet. But I'd say it's definitely just as good and in the same wheelhouse. What a way to start off the day and the month! Don't miss this one!

 

[musicjunkiegreg]

• Marie Davidson - City of Clowns [the way this music makes me feel is like if a dominatrix strapped me to a chair, tied my limbs uncomfortably tight with the roughest, scratchiest rope and whipped me until I was red raw against my will...and I liked it. For that reason, it's probably my AotY for now]

I am not familiar with this one. Gonna hafta give it a go!

• Lou-Adriane Cassidy - Journal d'un Loup-Garou
• Havukruunu - Tavastland
• Lonnie Holley - Tonky
• Men I Trust - Equus Asinus
• Panda Bear - Sinister Grift

Hell yeah

• DJ Koze - Music Can Hear Us [looks like you're drunk again, Pitchfork]

 

[Hemotep]

This dropped at midnight and I stayed up to listen because it was so good. Woke up and streamed it again. I hope this gets pressed.

 

[musicjunkiegreg]

Y'all listening to anything new today?

 

[Rip_City]

Y'all listening to anything new today?

View attachment 233281

It'll be Jenny Hval, Model/Actriz and (maybe) Boldy James for me. Then catching up with a small handful of others from previous weeks.

I don't see anything else interesting this week.

 

[TenderLovingKiller®]

Y'all listening to anything new today?

View attachment 233281

I listened to Esther Rose - Want. It was alright.

@Wes C. Attle spun Neu Blume - Let It Win which inspired me to give that a listen. I think it was released in March though so not New to the world necessarily but new to me. I really enjoyed that one.

 

[musicjunkiegreg]

RBF



The debut album, Control, from the hardcore, punk, and powerviolence Swedish quartet,  Xiao, absolutely crushes. The 14 relentless tracks pummel for just over 23 minutes, and it's about all you can take by then. Emelie Johannesson's intense vocal delivery is absolutely fitting, as are her potent, powerful, and relevant lyrics. Surely not for everyone, but if you're needing to rage, put this one on - it hits the spot.

 

[musicjunkiegreg]

I don't see anything else interesting this week.

New Music Friday!

 

[Wes C. Attle]

I only listened to the new Car Seat Headrest today and I enjoyed it.

 

[Fleetwood-Matt]

I’ll probably sit down with the new PUP album after dinner. The reviews look promising so far

 

[musicjunkiegreg]

I’ll probably sit down with the new PUP album after dinner. The reviews look promising so far

 

[Bohnjaggs]

I played the Real Estate rarities collection that came out today

 

[avecigrec]

RBF

View attachment 233283

The debut album, Control, from the hardcore, punk, and powerviolence Swedish quartet,  Xiao, absolutely crushes. The 14 relentless tracks pummel for just over 23 minutes, and it's about all you can take by then. Emelie Johannesson's intense vocal delivery is absolutely fitting, as are her potent, powerful, and relevant lyrics. Surely not for everyone, but if you're needing to rage, put this one on - it hits the spot.

You had me at powerviolence.