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 a 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…
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…
