New Music Friday (8/14/2020)

I’m so pleased with this week’s batch of new music – A wide variety of eclectic, powerful music. Let’s dig in:

- Bruce Hornsby – He continues to impress with his musicianship and hot collabs (this time including Vernon Reid and Leon Russell). Check out the track “Bright Star Cast”

- Kathleen Edwards – So excited that we’ve got new music (it’s been 8 years) from this Canadian singer-songwriter. Check out the track “Options Open”

- Biffy Clyro – A ‘new to me’ band, this Scottish trio create catchy, pop-hooked songs. Check out the track “Tiny Indoor Fireworks”

- Marsicans – An upbeat indie band from Leeds that carries strong harmonies to go with quirky lyrics. Check out the track “These Days”

- Sea Girls – Continuing the list of indie bands from England, this energetic band may not be original but their songs are catchy AF. Check out the track “Violet”

- Burna Boy – The Nigerian, Afro-fusion artist’s latest goes deep, taking direct aim at systemic racism, poverty and rampant miseducation. Check out the track “Monster You Made”

- Orville Peck – Another solid release from the Canadian country musician, including a classic duet with Shania Twain. The marvelous Peck delayed the release of his new EP to raise money and awareness for the civil rights movement in the United States. Check out the track “Legends Never Die”

- Whitney – I’ve been digging on Whitney for a while and their new album of rather obscure covers definitely shines. Check out the track “A.M. AM”

- Ashley Ray – Having written for artists such as Little Big Town, Lori McKenna and Caroline Spence, Ray breaks out on her own with this classic country record. Check out the track “Lawrence, Kansas”

Today’s featured release is the latest from Xavier Amin Dphrepaulezz, better known as Fantastic Negrito, an American singer-songwriter whose music spans blues, R&B and roots music.

The Grammy-award winner is back with an album that could go right alongside releases by Sly and the Family Stone, Marvin Gaye or Curtis Mayfield. His music is tough to pin down and that’s something to celebrate. Whether it’s the funky opener “Chocolate Samurai” or the outlandish “I’m So Happy I Could Cry”, no tracks disappoint. I’m especially partial to the track “How Long?” with its psychedelic soul sound backing important lyrics about gun violence and untreated mental health issues. This is a great, important release.