I used to think that all the good popular music came from the 1960s and 1970s. I was wrong! Even though popular music doesn’t have the same cultural impact that it did in earlier eras, there’s plenty of talent out there. These are the new releases I’ve been listening to.
It’s the first proper batch of new album reviews for 2023. Former Chairlift vocalist Caroline Elizabeth Polachek is onto her second full-fledged solo album. Robert Derwent Garth Forster, previously of The Go-Betweens, is up to his eighth. Caroline Polachek Desire,…
Just mopping up a few 2022 records that I didn’t get to before the end of the year. Nigeria’s Rema plays smooth Afrobeats with some Arabian and Indian influences. Sweden’s Sara Parkman plays art-folk on an album titled after three…
Often music releases quieten down for December, but as well as SZA’s impressive SOS (covered last week), Little Simz and Tricot also released albums in the final month of the year. Tricot’s drummer is the token male this week. Enjoy…
This week SZA drops an excellent and accessible December album, while veteran Brian Eno and debutant band Caroline provide far more esoteric efforts. SZA SOS 2022, 9/10The publishing of end-of-year music lists has become like a nuclear arms race, pushing…
There are still a bunch of worthy 2022 releases to cover – this week I discuss the weirdo British-folk of Richard Dawson, the pop/rock of France’s Phoenix, and the 1970s singer-songwriterisms of Weyes Blood. Richard Dawson The Ruby Cord 2022,…
This week, the best album has the worst album cover art. Enjoy New Jersey singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten, arty ambience from Spencer Zahn and Dawn Richard, and a tougher sound from Canadian indie band Alvvays. Sharon Van Etten We’ve Been…
Three strong records from experienced solo artists this week. 1990s veteran Beth Orton is back with an album of poised and textural folk. Alex G delivers another well-written, quirky pop/rock album, while Cass McCombs delivers an accomplished singer-songwriter record. Beth…
It’s a strong week of new-ish releases, with two New Zealand acts. Country crooner Marlon Williams expands his range with a fun new album, while power-pop maestros The Beths are also back. London afro-beats/electronic band Ibibio Sound Machine, with lead…
In this week’s set of new reviews, two artists who you may not have encountered previously, as well as global superstar Beyoncé. Emily Wells and Florist’s Emily Sprague both identify as LGBTQ. Wells’ Regards to the End addresses the AIDS…
It’s a diverse week – the folky American of Amanda Shires, the intensity of UK’s Black Midi, and the smooth amapiano of South African DJ Kabza De Small. Amanda Shires Take It Like A Man 2022, 8/10Texas-born fiddler and singer-songwriter…
It’s a surprisingly homogenous week of new reviews. Three American rock acts, all from the heartland, all dabbling a little in psychedelia and country. Surprisingly, Soccer Mommy, based in Nashville, is the least country-influenced of the three. Soccer Mommy Sometimes,…
This week we have new music from Maryland singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers, the dreamy pop of France’s Melody’s Echo Chamber, and the mellow, textural indie rock of Shearwater. Enjoy! Maggie Rogers Surrender 2022, 9/10Maggie Rogers delivered an impressive debut with 2019’s…
This week we have Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy, Radiohead side-project The Smile, and the smooth monologues of London duo Real Lies. Real Lies Lad Ash 2022, 9/10The sophisticated monologues of London electronic duo Real Lies have an obvious precedent.…
It’s an eclectic bunch this week – Puerto Rican superstar rapper Bad Bunny and English art-pop from Rae Morris. There’s also a new vintage release, with Linda Hoover’s 1970 album finally released from the archives. Notably, half of the songs…
It’s the strongest batch of new(ish) releases for a while – Let’s Eat Grandma’s quirky synth-pop is more streamlined and emotionally affecting than before. Angel Olsen’s previous record, All Mirrors was excellent, but her new one is even better. Grizzly…
This week it’s new releases from rap superstar Kendrick Lamar, the jangle-pop band The Reds, Pinks & Purples, and Gloucestershire’s FKA Twigs. Kendrick Lamar Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers 2022, 8/10Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar has enjoyed a stellar career…
Three albums from female artists this week – the debut album from Mexican folk/jazz artist Silvana Estrada, the sophomore album from Australian dream-pop artist Hatchie, and the third album from Welsh electronic producer and vocalist Kelly Lee Owens. It’s a…
Three records from established acts this week. Canada’s Dan Bejar is back with another album of sardonic bleating (in the best possible way). Indie-folk band Midlake are much less prolific than London’s Sault; Sault’s classical work Air is their sixth…
IIt’s not my favourite batch of new releases this week – lots of solid 7.5s. Indie band Spoon release their tenth album, Spain’s Rosalía follows up her acclaimed flamenco-pop album El Mal Querer, and Isle of Wight duo Wet Leg…
It’s a strong batch of 2022 records this week – London’s Nilüfer Yanya drops a sophomore album that’s even more impressive than her strong debut. Baltimore dream-pop duo Beach House still sound inspired on their eighth studio album. Black Country,…
This week on the review table, there are new albums from anthemic Australian alt-rock band Gang of Youths – think of a confluence between U2, Springsteen, and War on Drugs. English pop maverick Charli XCX is back with her fifth…
I thoroughly enjoyed this week’s batch of records. Rootsy indie darlings Big Thief deliver the record that should stand as their career legacy. I’m a year late on Jane Weaver’s impressive Flock, while Eddie Rayner and Tim Finn recontextualise their…
The title New Music Reviews is a little misleading this week, given that one of the new releases is a compilation of songs released between 1989 and 1996. Additionally, two of these three albums are from 2021. But read on…
Welcome back to the first instalment of new music reviews for 2022. This week I feature three female artists in their thirties of Asian descent – the art-rock of indie heroine Mitski, the jazz/Hindustani classical hybrid of Arooj Aftab, and…
Welcome to the final batch of 2021 music reviews – I’ve reviewed 72 new releases this year, about as many as I can manage in this one-man operation. There are two guitar bands this week – the retro jangle-pop of…
We’ve had a few high-profile artists recently, but we’re back to the niches this week – the folk-prog of Richard Dawson & Circle, the eclectic indie-pop of Mr. Twin Sister, and the dreamy ambient pop of Art School Girlfriend. Enjoy!…
It’s three releases from female solo artists this week. Two are sophomore records – Baltimore indie-rocker Snail Mail and London alternative R&B artist Tirzah both follow up their debuts. Both are worthy, but one is particularly great. Meanwhile, veteran Tori…
The most high-profile group of artists for a while – most music fans should have heard of Del Rey and Stevens. Conversely, it’s also the weakest group of releases for a while – Stevens and Del Rey have both made…
It’s a strong week of records this week. Two records reflect changed style – Minnesota’s Low have added distorted guitars to their slow-paced folk, as they’ve done on their previous pair of records, while San Francisco’s Deafheaven have toned down…
Welcome to what’s probably the most obscure batch of reviews for this year – Missouri indie band Foxing, Miami synth-pop duo Magdalena Bay, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Jupiter & Okwess. Since it’s almost December, brace yourself for…
This week we have roots-rock from The War on Drugs, art-rock from Spellling, and country/folk from Brandi Carlile. Two of the albums have tracks with backing vocals from Brooklyn indie-pop band Lucius. I find two of these albums easier to…
It’s not technically true, but it’s essentially sophomore albums today. Superstar Billie Eilish releases her second album, UK rapper Little Simz is back for her second record with Inflo, while Natalie Hemby follows her 2017 soundtrack Puxico with a studio…
One of my pet theories at Aphoristic Album Reviews is that artists peak with their fourth (and fifth) albums. Today, I review the recently-released fourth albums from Glasgow synth-pop band CHVRCHES (with a cameo from The Cure’s Robert Smith) and…
Not as strong as last week’s crop of records – the new black midi record is excellent but I’m less enthused about new music from Lindsey Buckingham and Torres. Lindsey Buckingham Lindsey Buckingham 2021, 7/10Lindsey Buckingham has endured a tough…
Three American artists this week, although Tyler, The Creator and Tinashe both have fathers with African heritage – Tyler’s father was born in Nigeria and Tinashe’s father is a first-generation Zimbabwean immigrant. Meanwhile, Kacey Musgraves veers further away from the…
I’ve been finding lots of albums in the good to very good range this year, but not many great ones. Here are three more strong, but not classic, albums. American indie rock artist Lucy Dacus, Canadian post-rockers Godspeed You! Black…
In an unplanned coincidence, today’s three recent releases are from English settlements ending with on. Post-punk band Squid from Brighton, London’s Cleo Sol, and Swindon’s Andy Partridge. Squid Bright Green Field 2021, 8.5/10There’s a whole crop of young, critically acclaimed…
There’s a strong batch of newish albums this week. The retro 1970s sleaze of St. Vincent’s Daddy’s Home, the diverse indie-pop of Japanese Breakfast’s Jubilee, and the Nigerian ambient field recordings of Emeka Ogboh. St. Vincent Daddy’s Home 2021, 8.5/10Annie…
1970s avant-garde German band Can pull a classic show out of their archives, while Mdou Moctar plays desert blues in Niger. Indie band Xiu Xiu are up to their twelfth record, but it’s the first time I’ve checked in with…
Welcome back to new music reviews, with three recent albums. Manchester Orchestra’s earnest stadium rock, tUnE-yArDs’ eclectic indie-soul, and Wolf Alice’s valiant attempts to reignite mainstream rock. Manchester Orchestra The Million Masks of God 2021, 8.5/10In spite of their name,…
Three new-ish records this week. The fifth album in little over two years from London’s enigmatic Sault, a debut from Australian R&B artist Genesis Owusu, while Miranda Lambert joins two other country artists for a literal campfire singalong, Sault Nine…
Coincidentally this week, I review two 7th studio albums by New Zealand bands starting with C. As well as Porter Robinson’s electro-pop album Nurture. Crowded House Dreamers Are Waiting 2021, 6.5/10It’s increasingly difficult to differentiate Crowded House from Neil Finn’s…
This week we look at three releases from contemporary female American artists – R&B artists Jazmine Sullivan and Dawn Richard, and actor Olivia Rodrigo, who’s rapidly become a pop superstar in 2021. Olivia Rodrigo Sour 2021, 7.5/10Olivia Rodrigo came to…
Welcome to what’s surely the longest headline in the history of Aphoristic Album Reviews. Coincidentally, all three albums in this week’s review pile are collaborations between multiple artists. It’s a diverse week – Australian elder statesmen Nick Cave and Warren…
There’s an Americana theme with these three new releases. Jenn Wasner covers a lot of musical ground with her excellent second record as Flock of Dimes. There’s an unlikely Canadian-New Zealand Americana record from Kacy & Clayton & Marlon Williams,…
Aphoristic Album Reviews takes a look at three new releases from women this week. Ingoma, from South African teenager Azana, is a record from July 2020, while Cassandra Jenkin’s An Overview on Phenomenal Nature and Lana Del Rey’s Chemtrails Over…
We stay in the USA for this week’s new albums. Literate bar-rockers The Hold Steady still have new ideas on their eighth studio album. Tennessee indie artist Julien Baker is back with a third album of introspection, while Paramore’s Hayley…
Welcome to the first batch of 2021 new album reviews. I examine the sophistipop of Canada’s The Weather Station, as well as 2021 releases from two beloved neo-progressive rock acts. Supergroup Transatlantic’s The Absolute Universe and Steven Wilson’s The Future…
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…
I didn’t enjoy any single album from 2019 as much as I liked Mitski‘s Be The Cowboy in 2018. Nevertheless, 2019 was a strong year – albums that I enjoyed by established favourites like The New Pornographers and Taylor Swift…
Welcome to the final batch of 2019 reviews. One record I thoroughly enjoy, but only picked up on year end lists a couple of weeks ago, while the other two I’ve had on the backburner for months. These New Puritans…
It’s important to be a lifelong learner. At the age of twenty I would have unequivocally hated all of these albums. Now mainstream rock seems stagnant, and lots of the interesting action is in genres that I would have dismissed.…
Here are three 2019 albums that are quirky and full of exotic sounds. I’ve ordered them in magnitude of weirdness, with the least eccentric first. Enjoy! Cate Le Bon Reward Cate Le Bon was discovered by Super Furry Animals front-man…
I’ve been chewing through 2019 releases with three more album reviews. Two of these albums could have come straight from the 1970s – the soul of Michael Kiwanuka and the retro country of Michaela Anne. FKA Twigs’ Magdalene has a…
Here are three reviews of 2019 releases that fit under sub-genres of rock – the progressive rock of Big Big Train, the punk rock of Fontaines, D.C., and the experimental math-rock of Black Midi. All three are from the British…
Nigeria’s Burna Boy was born Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu. He’s connected with Nigerian musical royalty – his grandfather once managed Afrobeat star Fela Kuti. After four albums, his star is clearly on the rise; he’s currently at UK number one for…
This week’s reviews of 2019 albums covers indie releases. Indie is a nebulous word – technically it means releases from an independent label. But it’s come to define a specific approach as well – often music with shades of artiness…
So I don’t clog up your Wordpress feeds, I’ve combined 2019 album reviews for three US artists into one post. They all mine different genres, but they’ve all achieved significant commercial success this year, reaching #1, #2, and #3 on…
English folkie Richard Dawson is onto his sixth album and pushing forty, but he’s certainly not a household name. Instead, he’s beloved by music critics but too much of an acquired taste for most. His folkish guitar playing is rough…
Chicago born poet and singer-songwriter Jamila Woods dedicated her second album to twelve of her heroes. Each of the tracks is named for one of Woods’ role models, and are intended as self-portraits of these ground-breaking creative forces. Legacy! Legacy!…
Born in a nomad camp, Niger’s Mdou Moctar first came to prominence after the release of his debut album, 2008’s Anar. Its songs were hugely popular throughout the Sahel region of Africa, traded on cell-phones. Thanks to the compilation Music…
Caroline Polachek grew up in Connecticut and was formerly the vocalist for the indie-pop duo Chairlift, who had a surprise hit in 2008 with ‘Bruises’. She’s previously flirted with a solo career, releasing albums under the aliases Ramona Lisa and…
The saddest story in popular music this year probably belonged to David Berman. The former leader of Silver Jews had taken a ten year hiatus from music, during which he sought to undo the damage to society caused by his…
Genre: Pop Pop star or pop maverick? Charlotte Emma Aitchison is talented enough to go in either direction, and her entire career to date has felt like a struggle between the two camps. 2014’s Sucker focused on radio-friendly pop/rock like…
Genre: Folk-rock, Singer-songwriter New Zealand is presently enjoying a very strong crop of female asinger-songwriters. Along with Hollie Fullbrook of Tiny Ruins, we also have the weirdness of Aldous Harding and the imagery-laden writing of Nadia Reid. Pop superstar Lorde…
The New Pornographers are successors to vintage pop/rock acts like The Beach Boys, The Beatles, and The Zombies. All of these groups could write brilliant pop songs that incorporate memorable melodies, beautiful harmonies, and intricate arrangements. The Canadian super-group have…
Indie-folk band Big Thief started recording Two Hands five days after completing U.F.O.F. (released in May 2019). U.F.O.F. was recorded in a cabin in Washington state, and has a mystical backwoods atmosphere that recalls The Band. In comparison, Two Hands…
In 1985, four male country superstars – Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson – teamed up to make their first album as The Highwaymen. The group took their name from a song by Jimmy Webb, and the…
When Lana Del Rey emerged with the virally successful single ‘Video Games’ in 2011, she wasn’t someone who I had pegged for a long career. ‘Video Games’ had a unique atmosphere, a cinematic ballad with nostalgic Hollywood glamour, but it…
My expectations for Taylor Swift‘s seventh album, Lover, were low. Her previous album, Reputation, was disappointing, with its defensive lyrical stance and dark textures. The first two songs released from Lover were both concerning – lead single ‘Me!’ seemed designed…
