New Music Friday - 2/5/2021

It’s the first Friday in February and there is some exciting new music this week. Check out new releases from the following artists:

- Foo Fighters – Dave Grohl and the boys are back with another solid release of stadium anthems, while experimenting with different beats and melodies on other tracks. Grohl calls it the band’s “Saturday-night party album”. Working with producer Greg Kurstin (known for working with Beyonce and Adele) was a smart move for the Foos as it helped expand their sound. Check out the track “Cloudspotter”

- Odette – An emotional pop release from the Australian singer. Reminds me of Florence and the Machine or Regina Spektor with Odette’s amazing voice laying on top of quirky music and sounds. Check out the track “What I Know Is Not Enough”

- The Staves – The sister trio move forward on their new release adding a sonic touch to their already beautiful acoustic folk sound. Written during an emotional period (mother died, baby born, homesickness), the new release is a perfect leap forward. Check out the track “Sparks”

- Hayley Williams - In late January, the Paramore singer began teasing a new project. She posted cryptic social media posts and mailed mysterious packages to fans. It was all to promote her second solo release which she recorded by herself while quarantined. Check out the track “Trigger”

- Femi Kuti and Made Kuti – The legendary Afrobeat performer Fela Kuti’s sound continues strongly through his son and grandson’s reworking of his signature sound, adding their own political commentary. Check out the track “You Can’t Fight Corruption With Corruption”

- The Weather Station – With her fifth album as Weather Station, singer-songwriter Tamara Lindeman puts it all together (with a full band) and allows her breathy vocals float over the tight band. Check out the track “Atlantic”

Today’s featured artist: Aaron Lee Tasjan

One of my favorites! A musical chameleon (former glam rock guitarist and now indie-folk rocker) Tasjan creates charming, off-center pop music with a hat tip to Nashville and Tom Petty. It’s hard to pin him down and say he sounds like anyone in particular and he toes the line between genres and decades. Tasjan looks inward on this album, to talk more about himself than he has done on previous releases. And that’s a good thing. We want to know more about him. Tasjan’s new one is the reason we listen to music. To explore new sounds and to get lost in it!