Songhoy Blues – Héritage (Transgressive) 13th Floor Album Review
With their fourth studio album, Héritage, Songhoy Blues—consisting of Garba Touré (guitar), Aliou Touré (vocals), and Oumar Touré (bass)—deliver a vibrant homage to their roots while continuing to innovate.
Nolan Taylor – Nolan Taylor (Atlantic) 13th Floor Album Review
Country-tinged singer/songwriter Nolan Taylor finally releases his debut album with 16 original songs that will leave you impressed, inspired and just a little weepy.
Franz Ferdinand – The Human Fear (Domino Records) 13th Floor Album Review
The law of diminishing returns affects us all in life, well 99% of us, and sadly as Franz Ferdinand have travelled their through their career, they have lost members, voluminous record sales, and unfortunately, on the their sixth album, become the heedful Uncles of indie, rather than sons of (avant) situationism.
Early James – Medium Raw (Easy Eye/Concord) 13th Floor Album Review
Early James takes over Buddy’s Honky Chateau and teams up with The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach to serve up 12 new tracks that are Medium Raw.
Ringo Starr – Look Up (Lost Highway) 13th Floor Album Review
What better way to ring in the New Year than with Ringo Starr and his new album, Look Up? Ringo returns to Country music with help from friends like T Bone Burnette, Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle.
13th Floor Top 10 Albums Of 2024 (Marty’s Picks)
Here we go! The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda picked his favourite albums released in 2024…not the best, not the hippest, not the most popular…just 10 LPs that struck a chord with Mr. Duda.
The National – Rome (4AD) (13th Floor Album Review)
The National are no strangers to the release of live material. ROME is preceded by a record store day release of Boxer Live in Brussels, the intentionally average sounding, direct to cassette recording Juicy Sonic Magic and 6 volumes of Cherry Tree live recordings released through their fan club.
Search For Yeti – Dark So Soon (13th Floor Album Review)
Search For Yeti has honed a fresh take on Aotearoa indie-rock with their new album, Dark So Soon. Te Whanganui a Tara three-piece have crafted an album that is highly enjoyable on initial listen, yet sparks the curiosity to hit repeat and go deeper into the rich instrumentation, triumphant melodies and emotional lyricism.
Little Feat – Feats Don’t Fail Me Now (50th Anniversary Edition) (Warner/Rhino)
With this expanded 50th Anniversary of the band’s fourth studio album, let us pause and reflect on Little Feat, possibly the most under-rated band in rock history.
Michael Kiwanuka – Small Changes (Polydor)
Michael Kiwanuka, a British singer-songwriter born in London to Ugandan parents, has steadily evolved his musical style since his 2012 debut, Home Again. Initially recognised for his retro-soul sound, Kiwanuka expanded his artistic horizons with Love & Hate in 2016, collaborating with producers Danger Mouse (Brian Burton) and Inflo (Dean Josiah Cover).
Wiri Donna – In My Chambers (13th Floor EP Review)
Wiri Donna is the musical project of Bianca Bailey, an artist from Wellington, whose sound has evolved from indie-folk beginnings into a powerful, indie-rock juggernaut.
Can’t Seem To Come Down –The American Sounds Of 1968 – Various Artists (Grapefruit)
While 1967 brought us the Summer Of Love, 1968 turned out to be something else entirely. And to prove it, here are 79 tracks spread over three CDs…over 4 hours of mind-blowing rock & roll that point to the future while plundering the past.
Silkroad Ensemble with Rhiannon Giddens – American Railroad (Nonesuch)
American Railroad is a compelling album by the Silkroad Ensemble, under the artistic direction of Rhiannon Giddens. Produced by Giddens alongside Jody Elff , who also engineers the album, and Kaoru Watanabe, who also contributes flute and percussion.
Joni Mitchell Archives – Volume 4 Highlights The Asylum Years (1976-1980) (Rhino/Warner)
Volume 4 of Joni Mitchell’s Archive Series is with us, covering the years 1976-1980 and here are the Highlights, collected on 4 vinyl discs.
Fazerdaze – Soft Power (Buttrfly Records) (13th Floor Album Review)
With Soft Power, Fazerdaze Amelia Murray re-emerges with a bolder, darker sound that captures the intensity and clarity found in self-reflection and growth, as well as listening to, and absorbing War on Drugs and The Cure.
Johnny Delaware – Para Llevar (Normaltown/New West) (13th Floor Album Review)
At a time of year when big, year-end releases are scrambling for your attention comes a small, but perfectly-formed album from one Johnny Delaware.
Talk Talk It’s My Life” 40th Anniversary Half-Speed Master (Parlophone)
Talk Talk is a band whose reputation has grown exponentially over the past 30 years thanks in part to the genre-busting album Spirit Of Eden and the tragic death of main-man Mark Hollis in 2019.
Moana & The Tribe – Ono (Black Pearl) (13th Floor Album Review)
This is a diverse and utterly elevating collection from Moana & The Tribe. Moana Maniapoto is the kuini/queen of creating joyous sounds in a landscape of struggle for indigenous voice and inclusion. In this collection, ONO offers six richly-layered and sonically engaging collaborations that are a tacit encouragement to learn more about the traditions they […]
The Cure – Songs Of A Lost World (Polydor/Fiction) (13th Floor Album Review)
After 16 years, The Cure finally release their 14th studio album. Songs Of A Lost World finds Robert Smith contemplating death, loneliness, aging and alienation. So what’s new?
Reassessing The Dead: From The Mars Hotel (13th Floor Reissue Review)
With the recent death of Phil Lesh, bassist for The Grateful Dead and a 50th Anniversary deluxe edition of their album, From The Mars Hotel just released, I reluctantly revisit the Dead.