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It's been a while - Between vacation and Covid, I haven't had the time, nor energy to post anything lately. But today, I drank my coffee, listened to some music and I've got an extra large New Music Friday - just for you!
It's a pretty amazing Friday for new music with a wide variety of options for you to listen to this weekend. Let's get started:
Albums of the Week:
Matter of Time by Meg Mac
The Australian singer-songwriter, who reminds me so much of Serena Ryder and Adele, scrapped her third album back in 2020. The first video was shot, the publicity vehicle was primed and ready, but Mac wasn't. She didn't hate the album, it just wasn't right.
She retired to a rural, relaxed atmosphere and began writing new songs. All of which appear on her latest, Matter of Time.
The songs bounces between dramatic pop music and gorgeous balladry. It's a triumphant return from Mac who I've admired for years. Her lyrics cut to your heart and you feel everything she's singing.
Check out one of my favorite tracks, "Understand"
The Misfit by Rhett Miller
Rhett Miller is the lead singer of the Americana country-rock band Old 97's. You might not know that from his latest album. He experiments away from the sound that made him part of one of my favorite bands.
There's a glow about the songs on this latest album from Miller, his eight solo release. He's experimenting with with more keyboards and and dreamy pop-like music. It all feels like you're floating above Miller's songs.
As always, his lyrics are biting, sometimes self-deprecating but always telling fascinating stories. Miller worked again with producer Sam Cohen who brings his touches of music taste from his time in bands like Yellowbirds and Apollo Sunshine.
Check out one of my favorite tracks, "Go Through You"
gaps by Miloe
Bedroom-pop whizz-kid Miloe (a newcomer to me) creates dreamy, synth-tinged soulful pop music (that's a mouthful). He takes inspiration from the beats from his native Democratic Republic of the Congo.
For Miloe, the title of the EP represents the space in-between. Lots of life transitions, a new sense of rhythmic expression and how music can transport him into a zone.
Check out one of my favorite tracks, "elastic"
Expert In A Dying Field by The Beths
I'm so excited by this release. I've been a big fan of The Beths for a number of years now and their latest (the third from the New Zealand band) is their best yet.
Combining power-pop with pop-punk sounds wrapping their music around openhearted lyrics from frontwoman Liz Stokes. There's always been a hook with harmony in their songs - this time around, the sound is bigger and a bit more polished, but their approach hasn't changed.
This has leaped into the discussion of my top ten albums of the year - you gotta take a listen!
Check out one of my favorite tracks, "Knees Deep"
Some Of Us Are Brave by Danielle Ponder
Another new singer for me - Ponder reminds me right off the bat of Nina Simone. Her voice - it's so stirring and powerful. Her songs drift from jazz to orchestral arrangements and take inspiration from first, playing in a family band, then listening to some of the greats, Koko Taylor and Big Mama Thornton just to name a couple.
Her lyrics touch on the emotional and physical pain that comes from isolation along with our favorite - lost love. It's taken Ponder a while to get her debut out - she went to law school and really didn't take her music seriously until she dipped her toe into GarageBand. So glad she did.
Check out one of my favorite tracks, "Someone Like You"
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