New Music Friday - 6/21/2024

Welcome back my friends to the blog that never ends - It just takes a break once and a while. But I’m back with a boatload of new music from artists like Beach Bunny, Def Leppard, Luke Combs, Jon Muq, Wishy, Lake Street Dive and so much more! Here’s what’s hot in my world:

Singles:

Beach Bunny - “Vertigo”

The Chicago indie rock band that I adore is back with a self-described “self-sabotage bop”. It’s a perfect pop-punkish song with lead singer Lili Trifilio’s sweet voice. The band is giving us a bit of a bigger sound and I’m looking forward to hearing more from an artist I’ve admired for years.

Mavis Staples - “Worthy”

Inspired by her collaboration with Prince in the eighties, the almost 85-year old has released a call-to-action song as well as an infectious, dance-worthy song. The song was written and produced by Mark Ronson protege MNDR. It’s a celebratory song that should be a jam on everyone’s summer sandwich.

The Japanese House - “Smiley Face”

The indie pop artist Amber Bain - better known as The Japanese House - has graduated from the DIY sound with a gorgeous, sunny song about the hopeful optimism of falling in love with someone. Another great song to add to your summer playlist.

Oceanator - “First Time”

The emo artist’s new album will be out this summer and the latest single is a crunchy kiss-off punkish song with big drums and a catchy chorus. There’s some great 70s vibes that went into this straight forward rocker.

Future Teens - “Double Down”

Vocalist/guitarist Amy Hoffman hadn’t really written any songs about their identity until now. The swaying, catchy punk-pop song is a trans-joy anthem. The lyrics hit so hard and you hear the emotion in Hoffman’s voice having grown up in the church of small town Missouri. 

Wishy - “Triple Seven” and “Love on the Outside”

The Indianapolis band has two new tracks out - First up is the shoe-gazing, fuzzy guitar track (that would fit onto any of my 1990s college radio show), “Triple Seven”. The second track, “Love on the Outside” is strumming guitars leading to some fantastic dream pop. They play Songbyrd in DC in November - Might have to grab tickets to this show, should be great.

Nilufer Yanya - “Method Actor”

The London singer-songwriter’s third album is due out later this year and the first single is a deep dive into how songwriting and performing is similar to the practice of method acting - invoking a memory, an emotion or the energy from when you either first performed or wrote a song. The song combines a jazz-feel with some sonic guitars intertwined. 

Def Leppard - “Just Like 73”

Take one part glam rock and add a whole heaping cup full of arena rock and what do you get? The new single from the veteran rockers. The band enlists Tom Morello to guest on the track which adds an extra layer of rock. The band took inspiration from the bands they saw in ‘72 and ‘73 - Bowie, T-Rex, Slade and they mashed it all up into a kick-ass song.

The Wild Feathers - “Sanctuary”

I loved the Nashville country rock band’s 2018 album Greetings from the Neon Frontier. It blended country with southern rock so well. The new single has a little crooning and feels very much like a song written on the road - pieced together by a tight-knit band. It’s about standing up for yourself and not backing down. There’s definitely some Tom Petty vibes going into the first single.

Hinds - “En Forma”

The Spanish indie rock sensation is back with a new album this September and the all Spanish language track “En Forma” kicks things off with a slack-punk vibe. Not relatable to me at all - the song deals with what it’s like to be in your late 20s as a woman and dealing with a break-up. It’s still a killer track that leaves me wanting more from the band. 

The Heavy Heavy - “Happiness”

It’s like I’ve traveled back in time to the 1960’s when bands like the Mama’s and the Papa’s, The Byrds and so many others found sweet harmonies layered over swaying, sweet music. The sun-kissed energy from the combo creates a windows down, country road song.

Maren Morris (feat. Julia Michaels) - “cut!”

Morris has dabbled in pop music before, but her self-proclaimed break from country music and the announcement that her upcoming EP has a more pop focus has certainly turned lots of heads. I’ve always loved her voice and the team up with one of the hottest pop music presences is smart. It’s simple, catchy and focuses lyrics on holding it together in the spotlight until you can finally yell “cut!”.

Albums:

Luke Combs - Fathers & Sons

After the huge success from his cover of “Fast Car” and a couple of solid, “big” country albums, Combs could have kept going on the trajectory, catering too much to the 50,000 fans in each stadium he played. Instead he and the co-writers of these new songs stripped it back a bit and went even a bit more country. These are songs that reflect on Combs as a son and a father. Stripping away the fame which works (mostly) throughout. Highlights include “Front Door Famous” and “Plant A Seed”. 

The Decemberists - As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again

There’s something that I’ve always liked about The Decemberists - the combo of folk-ish alternative music mixed with literary lyrics. Normally I’d fade out from a six minute song after 2-3 minutes, but theirs has always grasped me. The new album from the band still relies on what’s gotten them here and for the most part, it lands well. Highlights include “Burial Ground” and “Long White Veil”. 

Charli XCX - brat

I’ll put it out there from the start - this is not my type of music. I don’t dance (unless I’m drunk at a wedding) and electronic pop performed by a 30-something doesn’t really connect with me and who I am. However…Charli XCX’s new album is infectious and follows a bass booming formula that mixes in weird musical sounds and Charli’s honest lyrics throughout about her life and the world around her. Highlights include “Sympathy is a Knife” and “Mean Girls”.

Kaytranada - Timeless

The Montreal producer’s third proper solo album comes with a slew of collabs (Childish Gambino, Anderson .Paak to name a couple) and some real solid bangers. The music ranges from soul, R&B to acid jazz and disco house. They’re all great combos, but it’s also nice to hear him go out on his own, to hear his own voice. Highlights include “Stepped On” and “Drip Sweat”.

Shaboozey - Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going

Shaboozey is best known for his appearance on Beyonce’s last album, but he’s been out here a while combining hip-hop and country, testing the waters and slowly rising. There have been plenty of buzzy moments leading to the release of his third album, but he had to really deliver and he does just that. He’s able to connect the Old West and hip-hop in that the lyrics are surprisingly similar. Highlights include “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and “My Fault”. 

Raveena - Where the Butterflies Go in the Rain

If you look at the Wikipedia page of Raveena and who she’s been influenced by over the years - it shows how the shape of her latest album took hold. Nina Simone, Sade and D’Angelo just to name a few. Her voice is sweet and captivating and the music is smooth, jazzy R&B. Some of these songs just melt me. Highlights include “Rise” and “Junebug”.

PJ Morton - Cape Town to Cairo

Before releasing his latest album, Morton tested it out on his three kids. The response was pretty positive, which is saying something when your kids approve of you. Morton created the album in 30 days during his trip to Egypt, Ghana and South Africa. The New Orleans native blends the music of his travels with his southern roots. Highlights include “Count On Me” and “All The Dreamers”.

Hermanos Gutierrez - Sonido Cosmico

The combination of the fantastic instrumentation of the musical duo and producer Dan Auerbach shines brightly on the latest from Hermanos Gutierrez. The music shifts and shapes your imagination as you have no lyrics to go off of. I hear an interesting mix of The Edge (from U2) and Ennio Morricone and I dig it. The dual guitar playing is seamless and worth a late night listen. Highlights include “Low Sun” and the title track.

Carly Pearce - hummingbird

Pearce is a fresh voice in a swamp full of artists in country music. She’s combining 90s country with some sweet bluegrass and the right amount of pop to please a lot of people. Her voice is quintessentially Nashville. Highlights include “country music made me do it” and the duet with Chris Stapleton, “we don’t fight anymore”. 

Arooj Aftab - Night Reign

I love that jazz music can take on many shapes and forms. For Aftab, the Pakistani-American singer, it means an almost spooky quality to the tracks. Her voice takes you drifting on top of the sparse music - making it its own instrument. You feel as if you’re being drawn into a dark space where you’ll forget everything outside. Interested? Listen to it at midnight and let me know what you think. Highlights include “Bolo Na” and “Saaqi”.

Jon Muq - Flying Away

Maybe my favorite release in a few weeks - Muq, originally from Uganda, settled in Austin and was welcomed by the eclectic mix of musicians and fans. He eventually hooked up with Dan Auerbach who added some of his retro touches to these beautifully written and crafted songs. I feel like we’re looking deep into Muq’s soul and what his life has encompassed. Highlights include “Runaway” and “Bend”.

The Mavericks - Moon & Stars

For years, The Mavericks have blended country music with enough jazz and Tex-Mex influences and it works so well. Their latest continues that tradition while still sounding so fresh. Maybe the time off they’ve taken from each other works. Raul Malo’s voice is still as powerful as when I first heard it on “What A Crying Shame” years and years ago. Highlights include “Live Close By (Visit Often)” and “A Guitar and a Bottle of Wine”.

Lake Street Dive - Good Together

Anyone who knows me, knows Lake Street Dive is one of my favorite bands out there. I’ve seen them numerous times and am jumping for joy with their new album. The lead single and title track is a bop with Rachael Price dueting with keyboardist Akie Bermiss, a perfect way to kick things off. The theme of the title seems to be a joyful connection with each other and the world around us. Other highlights include “Party on the Roof” and “Twenty-Five”.

Staples Jr. Singers - Searching

Nearly half a century separates the Mississippi soul-gospel family band’s debut album from its follow-up and while they’re not related to the legendary group from which their name derives, there clearly are comparisons. There’s other comparisons that can be made - Al Green and Solomon Burke to name a couple. It’s vintage soul, southern music that hits just right. Highlights include “You Got to Believe” and “Living In This World Alone”.

Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs - Vagabonds, Virgins & Misfits

The latest album from the former Tom Petty guitarist sounds bigger and bolder than the previous Dirty Knobs albums. And Campbell has brought in some fantastic collaborators (Chris Stapleton, Graham Nash and Lucinda Williams). There’s clearly that southern rock feel we always got with Petty, but Campbell really makes it his own. Highlights include “Angel of Mercy” and “So Alive”.