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New Music Friday - 4/2/2021

I’m writing this as the sun slowly starts to rise shedding light onto the streets of Washington DC. It’s a great time to listen to music – the quiet in the house mixes with songs and artists that are sometimes familiar and sometimes a great discovery.


So let’s check out new releases from the following artists:


- Demi Lovato - A personal, painful collection of songs that chronicle the horrors of the music industry and the drug and health problems Lovato has gone through. Her strength in writing and sharing these stories is impressive, much like Kesha’s Rainbow. Check out the track “Lonely People”

- Dry Cleaning – The London art-rockers are pleasantly loud and messy and remind me so much of bands like Wire and Romeo Void – Lead vocalist Florence Shaw is almost reading you her lyrics backed by a fantastic group of musicians. Check out the track “New Long Legs”

- Ill Blu – The longtime rap producers step out, but not on their own as they’ve brought along a star studded cast of UK rappers. It’s a great mixtape from two guys who finally deserve the spotlight on them. Check out the track “Chop My Money”

- Ryley Walker – Now two years sober, the virtuosic guitarist is more upbeat than on previous releases. The music is complex and his guitar work is exceedingly strong. The release fits well into your 70s AM Gold collection with shades of Steely Dan and Al Stewart. Check out the track “Rang Dizzy”

- Flock of Dimes – Multi-instrumentalist Jenn Wasner has performed with some great artists (Wye Oak, Bon Iver, Dirty Projectors) but her second solo release showcases her vocals and range weaved throughout the album. Working with Sylvan Esso’s Nick Sanborn, the songs easily move between a hushed voice to an explosive burst of music. Check out the track “Two”

- Major Murphy – With a more lush sound on their sophomore release, the Grand Rapids band has created a catchy indie-rock collection of songs. I would have loved to have seen this band at the Black Cat on a random Tuesday night. Check out the track “In the Meantime”


Today’s featured artist: The Fratellis

The Scottish trio (whose name is taken from the criminal family in The Goonies) have always had a knack for writing a catchy folk-pop song that you’d sing in a pub with your lads, beginning with their semi-big hit “Chelsea Dagger”. The new one is full of beautiful harmonies and goes beyond the three of them, adding in horns and more features that haven’t been on previous releases. There’s touches of 60s British pop and the ghost of Phil Spector rings throughout. It’s as full a record as they’ve ever recorded and while they may be aging, they’re not growing up (totally).

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