INDISPENSABLE NEW MUSIC PICKS
April 2025
by Kristine England
April 30, 2025 at 4:00:00 PM
MIEN
MIIEN
The second collaboration among members of (perennial IM favorite) Elephant Stone, Golden Dawn Arkestra, The Black Angels, Trentemøller, and The Earlies to produce a luxurious psychedelic vibe. No wonder I was drawn to it.
FEATURED TRACK: “Empty Sun”
Sons of Ra
Standard Deviation
The Chicago band are back with more compelling instrumentals that blur the lines among jazz, funk, metal, and prog. Their latest, Standard Deviation, boasts not only originals but the trio's take on songs from Coltrane, Carla Bley, and Don Ellis.
FEATURED TRACK: "Lividity and the Ascension'
The Ophelias
Spring Grove
The latest record by The Ophelias is laden with real and imagined conversations with people from the past, which engaging vocals and guitars effectively convey. Pop Matters raves that the band, "Outdo Themselves on the Brilliant Spring Grove."
FEATURED TRACK: "Salome"
Taylor Rae
The Void
Her music is characterized as Americana, but the riffs and the attitude are so much more. Funky and jazzy vibes can be found as well, and the record feels like an old gem you just discovered by accident.
FEATURED TRACK: “Cologne”
Cameron Knowler
CRK
Knowler, an Arizona native, has a degree in jazz, but that's not really how he has positioned himself. His masters in archival works is telling as his latest album of acoustic guitar songs, CRK, thoroughly embraces a classic American heritage that isn't bluegrass or country -- just pure expression through his strings.
FEATURED TRACK: "Secret Water"