I know it’s obligatory to insert a comment here about how terrible the year 2020 was. Down in New Zealand, however, we were well insulated from the coronavirus pandemic and life was relatively normal. From the list below, I’d only…
It’s the last batch of reviews of 2020 releases. Ichiko Aoba dresses up her folk music in strings and synths, Poppy explores pop-metal, and Jeff Rosenstock pumps out another album of anxious punk. I meant to also review Mr. Bungle’s…
Natalia Lafourcade explores traditional Mexican music, Taylor Swift delivers a second surprise indie-folk album for 2020, and Gabriel Garzón-Montano plays arty and eclectic music inspired by his Colombian/French heritage. Natalia Lafourcade Un Canto por México, Vol. 1 Natalia Lafourcade has…
This week we look at the most recent releases from London neo-soul artist Cleo Sol (a member of Sault), L.A. R&B sisters Chloe x Halle, and Norwegian neo-progressive band Wobbler. Cleo Sol Rose in the Dark As well as two…
In this week’s new music reviews: a Colombian, an anonymous collective, and an Irishwoman walk into a bar…… Ela Minus Acts of Rebellion Gabriela Jimeno started her career as the drummer for Colombian hardcore band Ratón Pérez – they became…
Three recent albums – a solo album by Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker, enthralling with just voice and guitar. An archival release from Americana legend Gillian Welch, covering the first volume of 48 songs she recorded in one weekend in 2016.…
This week we look at new releases from Nigerian Afrobeats/soul artist Tiwa Savage, indie-folk band Fleet Foxes, and musical polymath Sufjan Stevens. Tiwa Savage Celia Nigerian singer and actress Tiwatope Savage was a late bloomer. While graduating with a degree…
Today we look at new records from three veteran acts – an archival release from the late Tom Petty (who released his first record in the 1970s), The Flaming Lips (who released their first record in the 1980s), and The…
This week we look at 2020 releases from Wales, Russia, and North Carolina (via Ghana). Enjoy! Kelly Lee Owens Inner Song Welsh musician Kelly Lee Owens sang in her school choir and played bass, but didn’t pursue electronic music until…
Kyoto math rock band Tricot’s 真っ黒 (Pure Black) was the first 2020 album I reviewed on this site. There have been other excellent records this year, from HAIM, Owen Pallett, and The 1975, but 真っ黒 is now facing its most…
This week I look at releases from three different continents, all wrestling with political and racial issues. Nigeria’s Burna Boy employs Afro-fusion, U.S. hip-hop duo Run The Jewels rattle off fast-paced hip-hop, while anonymous UK collective Sault sing about black-centric…
This week we cover some power-pop from New Zealand, some Americana from Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, and a mini-album from R&B artist Victoria Monét. The Beths Jump Rope Gazers Power pop is a great genre for one hit wonders,…
Three more recent releases for your listening pleasure. Jessie Ware’s sophisticated dance-pop, Yves Tumor’s abrasive electronica, and Rina Sawayama’s brash pop. Enjoy! Jessie Ware What’s Your Pleasure? Jessie Ware is probably the UK’s most likeable mainstream pop star; I struggle…
This week I look at new releases by pop-superstar-turned-indie-folkster Taylor Swift, singer songwriter Phoebe Bridgers, and chamber-pop artist Perfume Genius. Coincidentally, veteran drummer Jim Keltner plays on two of these releases. All three of these records are currently placed among…
Three recent releases for you to peruse. Canadian Owen Pallett’s new album ventures into Nick Drake territory with its acoustic guitar picking and strings. Paramore’s Hayley Williams first solo album is poppy, yet adult and restrained. London’s King Krule continues…
HAIM’s first two records were fun. The trio of L.A. sisters had great harmonies, their eclectic approach recalled both Fleetwood Mac and 90s R&B, while Danielle Haim’s bluesy guitar added some edge. Their third record, however, is the biggest leap…
Fiona Apple’s been around for a long time, releasing her 1996 debut album Tidal at the age of 18. But she’s not prolific – Fetch the Bolt Cutters is only her fifth record, making each Apple release feel like an…
This week we look at two releases from the first quarter of the year, and one album that was scheduled to be released 45 years ago. Enjoy! Neil Young Homegrown Neil Young enjoyed an inspired golden age between May 1969’s…
For this week’s new music reviews, I’m looking at two Americana releases from early 2020. Both are in the zone where folk and country intersect, as previously explored by Gillian Welch and Townes Van Zandt. Both are fifth albums, from…
Three reviews of May releases – the pop/rock of Manchester’s The 1975, the synth-pop of Canada’s Carly Rae Jepsen, and the Americana of Alabama’s Jason Isbell. I’ve already a fan of all three artists, hence the quicker than usual turnaround.…
Normally my method for finding new music is to read about it, add it to a playlist, and listen to it over until I enjoy it. Normally this works well – I enjoyed all of the 51 albums that I…
The lock-down album is something we’ll presumably see more of over the next few months. As far as I’m aware, the first 2020 lock-down record from a major artist is from English pop auteur Charli XCX. Charli, born Charlotte Aitchison,…
Pop music has become a much more respected art form in the past decade. Records like Taylor Swift’s 1989, Carly Rae Jepsen’s Emotion, and Robyn’s Honey have attained the acclaim usually reserved for more critically favoured musical genres. Dua Lipa’s…
This week Aphoristical Album Reviews takes a look at recent releases from two female artists in the Americana/country zone. Both of these records have lovely production and strong songwriting, and are highly recommended. Katie Pruitt Expectations Katie Pruitt grew up…
Canadian artists Caribou and Grimes both make music that’s creative and laced with pop hooks. Both have released new albums this year; Caribou’s is more pop-oriented than usual, while Grimes takes a darker path. Try Caribou’s Suddenly for breezy enjoyment…
Destroyer have the most misleading name in popular music. What you expect is death metal or perhaps a KISS tribute band. What you get is a man sardonically purring and bleating his twisted insights over smooth yacht rock. Like many…
Math-rock band Tricot formed in Kyoto in 2010, released their debut album in 2013. Their fourth studio album 真っ黒 (Japanese for Pure Black) marks their major label debut. Tricot spent time as an all-female trio, but drummer Yuusuke Yoshida was…
