New Music Friday - 2/24/2023

It’s New Music Friday and today’s mix is eclectic and full of life! Let’s get to it…

Singles of the Week:

“Come on, Aphrodite” by Natalie Merchant

One of my favorite singers of all time is back with her first new song in nine years. Featuring Abena Koomson-Davis (singer and Musical Director for the Resistance Revival Chorus) the song is “an invocation to the goddess of love and passion” and touches on all the clichés we use to describe falling in love. It’s soulful and reminds us of the beauty and strength of Merchant’s voice.

“Whiskey and Soda Pop” by snow ellet

The Chicago band isn’t breaking new ground, in fact you’ll think Blink-182 and All-American Rejects when you hear the new track from snow ellet, but it’s fun as hell and isn’t that what we want from our music? The pop-punk track is catchy and full of hooks. A great track to throw on when you’re driving with the windows down (once the weather warms up).

“The Nothing” by Sign Language

Ready for some big sounds? Check out the grungy, post-hardcore band Sign Language and their new song. But there’s real atmosphere behind the heaviness to their sound. Layered guitars go toe-to-toe with the driving screams from their lead singer. I’m really digging them.

“All We Have Is Now” by Fishbone

Who's ready for some classic 1990s alternative ska? The amazing Fishbone is back in 2023 with some tasty-ass tunes. Produced by NOFX’s Fat Mike and featuring almost the entire original line-up, the song reminds us to take advantage of the gift of the ever present now. It’s always a party when the horns kick in and Fishbone tells you it is.

“Pawnshop” by Kara Jackson

The Chicago-based singer-songwriter and former National Youth Poet Laureate has announced their debut album (due out in April) and the new single is “about uncovering how worth is subjective”. The positive lyrics and gorgeous vocals hang overtop of a basic drum beat and beautiful guitars. Keep an eye out for Jackson this year, she’ll be a force to be reckoned with very soon.

Album of the Week:

Prime by Christian McBride’s New Jawn

Christian McBride has had quite the career - For the Philly-born jazz bassist who has done it all in the jazz world, this is the second release for the quartet. For the unfamiliar (like myself), the name derives from the black Philadelphian slang term jawn meaning “thing,” as in “do your thing.” There’s a lot to love as McBride and the band take influences from the greats: Dolphy, Coltrane and Coleman. McBride is easily one of the greatest bassists of all time and allows his bandmates to shine on originals such as “Head Bedlam” and in some of the cover songs like Ornette Coleman’s “The Good Life.” The band sounds amazingly comfortable with each other, which makes for a fantastic album.