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Well, the debates are over and we can either discuss who knows more about wind or listen to some new music. C’mon, it’s New Music Friday – you think there’s a better thing to do?
Here’s what’s hot this week:
- Bruce Springsteen – The Boss delivers another solid release (his 20th studio album) with no signs of slowing down. Check out the track “Ghosts”
- Gorillaz – The Damon Albarn-led group’s latest is another batch of catchy, wacky tunes with some great guest appearances (Elton John, Robert Smith). Check out the track “The Valley of the Pagans”
- Songhoy Blues - A desert blues music group from Timbuktu, Mali. The band was formed in Bamako after being forced to leave their homes during the civil conflict and the imposition of Sharia law. There’s a lot to like on this release with tracks of protest and hope. Check out the track “Barre”
- Raye Zazagoza – The LA-based singer-songwriter isn’t shy about proclaiming her roots in her music (her dad is indigenous) and her latest is a beautifully performed batch of songs. Check out the track “Rebel Soul”
- Laura Veirs – I loved Veirs collaboration with Neko Case and k.d. lang and now the folk/alternative-country singer is back with her 11th studio album full of vulnerable and emotional songs. Check out the track “Burn Too Bright”
- Xavier Omar – The new one from the R&B singer is a slow-burn of smooth tracks that feature Xavier’s vocals over minimal music. Check out the track “All Our Time”
- Ben Harper – Just Ben and his guitar – That’s it. The all-instrumental release is perfect for a walk in the neighborhood, a cup of coffee or just some 2020 meditation. Check out the track “Harlem”
- Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings – A collection of covers (Dusty Springfield, Woody Guthrie, Prince) brings great joy to me as it’s still so sad about the untimely death of Jones back in 2016. Check out the track “In the Bush”
- Ashton Irwin – The 5 Seconds of Summer lead singer’s solo debut is overproduced but has some catchy songs. Check out the track “Skinny Skinny”
Today’s featured release is from Wilco’s frontman Jeff Tweedy – Tweedy’s latest shows what brings him joy (working again with his sons) and as one review puts it, Tweedy may not paint rosy pictures with his songs, but he knows how to offer calm reassurance in dark times.
In keeping with his latest book, How to Write One Song, Tweedy and his boys strove to compose and record a single song a day in Wilco's own Chicago studio, the Loft.
Each song is a separate book or story, weaving you through the album’s subjects like his wife, his life, his mortality.
Years ago, Tweedy’s band Wilco worked with Billy Bragg on Woody Guthrie songs (Mermaid Avenue I and II) – Maybe Tweedy is getting to the point in his songwriting where comparisons can be made of his work with Guthrie and many other greats (Dylan, Young).
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