New Music Friday: 13th Floor New Album Picks: October 13, 2023

New Music Friday the 13th is lucky for fans of Kiwi music. We’ve got four new albums to tell you about plus one from overseas. Check them out here.

You can get Rick-Rolled (Yes, there’s a new Rick Astley album out today, or you can enjoy these fine releases. The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda has chosen these 5 for your consideration:

1. Beastwars – Tyranny Of Distance (Beastwars) Beastwars cover Kiwi classics! Here’s what they have to say: Tyranny of Distance is a collection of songs sharing the common themes of despair, loneliness and existential frustration, plus a song recounting the story of an illicit drug-fueled party, albeit with a twist. Tyranny of Distance is also a covers album spanning 40 years of New Zealand music. The Gordons, Superette, Snapper, Marlon Williams, Children’s Hour, Nadia Reid, Julia Deans and The 3Ds all have their songs contorted and distorted, riffs extracted and mutated. These are powerful songs in their own right, but Tyranny of Distance gives them fiery new life to become something distinctly “Beastwars”.

2. Albi & The Wolves – Light After Dark (AAA) New expanded version! The band has expanded their horizons with a brand new record Light After The Dark that’s out today. “We wanted to make something eclectic, distinctive, and we wanted to surprise people with this album. Just like our live shows, we want people to feel joy with us and have those deep moments to reflect on things.”

3. Paul McLaney – As The North Attracts The Needle (AAA) The Gramsci front man goes solo with “a timely, intimate and self reflective acoustic album, looking at what it means to be a man in today’s society.” As The North Attracts The Needle, that persistent pull towards one’s own personal legend. Ten songs. One guitar. One voice. An endless conversation

4. 1 Drop Nation – Moment In Time (Lil Sister) Direct from Christchurch! The journey has been amazing,” says lead vocalist Kanei Johnson, “we flew up to Wellington and spent 10 days straight in the studio, going hard to finish the album. We did a few late nights working on the detail stuff and, when it was finished, Dr Lee [Prebble] added the sprinkles. It’s a very eclectic mix of music, which shows the different elements of music that we all draw towards and, when mixed together, this is what we have come up with. We’re excited to share it!”

5. The Bones Of J.R. Jones – Slow Lightning (Tone Tree) From Upstate New York. J.R. says, “I felt very lost at the time I was writing these songs,” Jonathan Linaberry confesses. “It was a moment of deep crisis and anxiety, but I knew the only way out was through, which meant I just had to bring myself to the table every day and put in the work.” Look out for The 13th Floor MusicTalk interview with J.R. very soon.