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As the temperatures drop, the new music heats up! Let’s dive in and see what you might like this week:
Mat Kearney - “Headlights Home”
I’ve loved Kearney’s songs for years and his latest track is a smooth groove with some fantastic harmonies. Written on the road while missing being home, it’s a sweet feeling track that reminds me of his best early work.
J. Robbins - “Last War”
How’s a little new post-hardcore music? DC’s own J. Robbins (lead singer/guitarist for the great Jawbox) is back with his second solo album coming out later this year. The guitar-driven track deals with working through our fears prompted by January 6th and the rise of neo-fascism.
The Collection - “Spark of Hope”
You know my love for the band The Collection. The North Carolina band has been releasing a number of songs over the past year, leading up to their full-length album that comes out later this year. The latest single is a gorgeous, piano ballad that’s inspiring and if you’ve got big feelings, this song is for you.
Norah Jones - “Running”
Stepping aside from her normal, jazzy style of songwriting, Jones worked with producer and multi-instrumentalist Leon Michels on this funky little number, written when Jones was half-asleep. The song idea jolted her awake. The voice is still drippingly sweet and it’s one of her best songs in years.
Calum Scott - “Lighthouse”
A full-hearted love song from the British singer/songwriter builds to a lush, soaring song that focuses on hope, which we can all use. Find your lighthouse, whatever that is - a person, a home, a phone call, a text message, we all have a lighthouse.
Khruangbin - “A Love International”
A day-dreamy, groovy song to kick off their upcoming album is the way to go. The trio find a great mix in the funky bass line and echoey guitar work from Mark Speer. After recording with a number of other artists, it’s nice to hear the band go back to their roots and record as a trio, reinvigorating their cool sounds.
Mourn - “Could Be Friends”
My song of the week! The young band from Barcelona writes catchy, guitar-driven pop-punk while taking inspiration from Sleater-Kinney, Patti Smith and PJ Harvey. From start to finish, the sing-along track brings great energy with a head-bopping song.
Julian Lage - “76”
The great guitar player, Lage, has a new album coming out in a couple months on Blue Note Records produced by Joe Henry. The track drifts from jazz to hard-driving blues. You can hear the inspiration he got from playing with artists like John Zorn and Cautious Clay. There’s no holding Lage and his backing band back from creating a whirlwind of a song.
Adrianne Lenker - “Sadness As A Gift”
Stepping aside from her great band Big Thief, Lenker is releasing a new solo album in March and the first song reminds me of an old country classic, telling a story about the passing of time while she illustrates life’s beauty.
Green Day - Saviors
It feels like it’s been a while since I really liked a whole Green Day album, but that’s the case here with Saviors. As they get ready for a big stadium tour, you should settle in to appreciate what Green Day has done on their latest. Combining the early shenanigans from Dookie and Insomniac with the political fire from American Idiot. Check out “Strange Days Are Here to Stay”, “Coma City” and “Bobby Sox” (with it’s cool “Beast of Burden” guitar intro).
Sleater-Kinney - Little Rope
The now duo band (Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker) continues on their path of smart, post-punk songs that address society, but throws in the subject of grief. While working on the album, Brownstein’s mom and stepdad died in a car accident.Tucker talks about how that one thing you feel in middle age is the kind of lack of accomplishments on a global scale that you feel like maybe have touched your generation. That’s what this album touches on. Highlights are “Needlessly Wild” and “Crusader”.
Ana Tijoux - Vida
The Chilean rapper’s first album since 2014 is a banger. An album that skips between loss and motherhood, it’s a celebration of life’s ebbs and flows. She blends Afrobeats with distinct Latin flavors with some cool guest spots as well. Tijoux has matured in the years since her last album and it’s evident in what she’s rapping about, yet there’s still a fierceness in her delivery. Check out “Millonaria” and “Busco mi nombre”.
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