Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Sex & Food (Jagjaguwar)
The Nielson brothers are New Zealand music royalty. After finding initial success with post-punk group the Mint Chicks, Ruban and Kody have carved successful careers for themselves with the former perhaps gaining even more success than his old group with Unknown Mortal Orchestra.
Yo La Tengo There’s A Riot Going On (Matador)
Despite the fact that Yo La Tengo are known for their ability to cover just about any tune at any time, this is not a re-creating of the iconic Sly & The Family Stone album of the same name.
Jack White – Boarding House Reach (Columbia/Third Man)
It’s hard out there for a rock star these days. And Jack White may be among the last of a dying species. Boarding House Reach is the sound of the former White Stripe struggling to sound relevant.
Eb & Sparrow – Seeing Things (Deadbeat/Southbound)
Seeing Things is the third album by Eb & Sparrow, the band featuring the sultry vocals of the perfectly-named Ebony Lamb.
First Aid Kit – Ruins (Columbia)
The tale the Swedish sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg reads like a fairytale. Once upon a time, a long time ago in a far off land, two sisters dreaming of a career in music began uploading demos to a magical space on the internet while still at school.
The Breeders – All Nerve (4AD)
“No one’s here to stay” repeats Kim Deal a third of the way into All Nerve, The Breeders’ long-awaited new studio album. Coming over the menacing groove of MetaGoth, that sounds like it could have been recorded by the group any time since they formed in 1989, the line is a strong reminder of the […]
Car Seat Headrest – Twin Fantasy (Face to Face) (Matador)
When you hear that an artist is releasing a re-reworked version of an old album you fear the worst. Why? Well, this is generally a sign they have run out of ideas. This does NOT apply to Will Toledo of Car Seat Headrest, who has just released an updated version of his 2011 album Twin […]
Marlon Williams – Make Way For Love (Dead Oceans)
It’s been a reasonable three years since Marlon Williams’ self-titled debut, but the Lyttelton songwriter’s follow-up shows a startling growth, expansion, and simply put – improvement. Make Way For Love is a gorgeous exploration of separation and heartbreak that sees Williams’ besting his past work lyrically, musically, vocally and emotionally.
QTY – QTY (Dirty Hit)
It’s taken it’s time to drop, but QTY’s eponymous debut turns on another bulb in NYC’s shining sonic lineage.
Belle and Sebastian How To Solve Human Problems, Part 1, 2 and 3 (Matador)
Glaswegian based veterans Belle and Sebastian release a compilation album of their separately issued 3 EP’s, How To Solve Our Human Problems Part 1, 2 and 3. Having released 9 studio albums over the last two decades, the well-established band have gone back to their roots, embracing the much revered EP format for their […]
Calexico – The Thread That Keeps Us (Anti-)
The band dubbed ‘desert noir’ is back pushing their sound into dark and alluring new territories on The Thread That Keeps Us.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Wrong Creatures (Vagrant Records)
After a 5 year hiatus, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club are back with, well, another BRMC record.
Scorn of Creation – Self Titled (Deadboy Records)
What a bunch of show-offs. Wellington death metal band Scorn of Creation come at their self-titled debut like they’ve got something to prove. The long run of promotion leading up to the release certainly promised a lot, as does the pedigree of the band members: Bulletbelt, Backyard Burial, Horrendous Disfigurement- a long list of NZ […]
Ohio Players – The Definitive Collection Plus… (Cherry Red)
Let us pause to consider, or reconsider, the Ohio Players. The 1970s funk band is the subject of a career-spanning 3-CD anthology titled The Definitive Collection Plus.
Steep Canyon Rangers – Out In The Open (Ramseur)
After a stint with comedian Steve Martin, American bluegrass band Steep Canyon Rangers are back to what they do best – beautiful harmonies over heartbreakingly good music.
Ty Segall – Freedom’s Goblin (Universal)
A decade into Ty Segall’s tireless, prolific recording career, we are met with his 10th album, Freedom’s Goblin.
Salad Boys – This Is Glue (Trouble In Mind)
Cantabrian outfit Salad Boys’ second album, This Is Glue, opens with a propulsive beat, chugging guitar, and lyrics about driving. It has, from the first few seconds, the feeling of going somewhere.
The Remains Live 1969 (Sundazed)
Almost 50 years after the fact, legendary garage band The Remains finally release a live album, documenting their wild, unleashed stage show, that until recently has only been privy to those who were there at the time.
Wilco – A.M. & Being There(Deluxe Edition) (Sire/Reprise)
Wilco celebrate their formative years with Deluxe Edition reissues of their first two albums, documenting the gestation and growth of one of America’s most important bands of the last quarter century.
The East Pointers – What We Leave Behind (Proper)
Hailing from the Canadian east coast, this trio of two brothers, fiddler/singer Tim Chaisson and banjoist Koady Chaisson, with guitarist Jake Charron, give us their sophomore effort, What We Leave Behind, a strong attempt to inject some fresh vibrancy and enthusiasm into traditional banjo and guitar music.