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Couldn’t we all use a little bit of music in our lives? That’s why New Music Friday is such a great day! There’s a huge variety of genres and ages on today’s list. Let’s get to it:
- The Avett Brothers – The North Carolina folk-rock band is back with another strong release of stripped down, poetic tunes. Check out the track “Victory”
- Angel Olsen – Indie favorite Olsen returns with stripped down versions of tracks from last year’s All Mirrors. Check out the track “Tonight (Without You)”
- Katy Perry – The new mom has new music and it’s bright and poppy. Sometimes you just need it in darker times. Check out the track “Champagne Problems”
- Tiwa Savage – The Nigerian singer-songwriter, formerly a back-up singer for George Michael and Mary J. Blige, has created a beautiful mix of R&B, Afropop and funk. Check out the track “Temptation”
- Gregory Porter – The veteran singer-songwriter is back with a warm, beautifully produced album of inspirational tunes. Check out the track “Everything You Touch is Gold”
- NEEDTOBREATHE – The Christian rock band continues to put out strong releases with their 7th release. Check out the track “Riding High”
- Ruston Kelly – I love me some Ruston Kelly! The country singer’s 2nd release picks up on his debut by offering songs of recovery and promise. Check out the track “Rubber”
- Toni Braxton – Braxton is back with a wonderful album of R&B tracks sure to please both the young and old. Check out the track “Do It”
- The Magic Gang – The British quartet draws on Motown and swaggerish rock on their 2nd release, an album full of catchy tunes (I also hear a bit of The Jam in a number of tracks). Check out the track “Think”
- Molly Tuttle – The Americana singer-songwriter is a favorite in our house. Her new release is a reimagining of 10 cover songs. Check out the track “She’s A Rainbow”
- The Northern Belle – The band is from Norway and I hope their third album makes waves over here in the US. They remind me of what was great about rock music in the 70s (picture them opening for Fleetwood Mac in concert). Check out the track “Gemini”
Today’s featured release comes from a timeless singer whose interpretative skills on any song she touches turn to gold.
Bettye Lavette, the 74-year old soul singer from Michigan, first started recording at the age of 16, but never truly hit it big until 2005 when her eclectic release I’ve Got My Own Hell To Raise grabbed the attention of many (Joe Henry produced, songs included covers of Fiona Apple, Aimee Mann and Lucinda Williams).
Her latest, Blackbirds, is intimate and personal, something that Lavette does with any song she performs (please check out her Kennedy Center Honors performance of The Who’s “Love Reign O'er Me”). It’s a collection of songs that you’ll want to put on when you’re up late, with an open bottle of wine, sitting on your patio.
It was tough just to pick one song to feature, but we’ll go with the Lou Rawls classic “Blues for the Weepers”
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