INDISPENSABLE NEW MUSIC PICKS
January 2022
Kristine England
Jan 31, 2022
Yard Act
The Overload
At first listen, this seemed reminiscent of the Fall (never a bad thing), yet Yard Act's documentation of discontent is certainly very contemporary. The reviews are in, and consensus says this band's debut lives up to the hype. NME calls it "a wonderfully wacky debut" while Pitchfork notes, "It’s a confident debut LP from a young band seizing its moment and cutting the tension with a chuckle."
FEATURED TRACK: "The Overload"
Fickle Friends
Are We Gonna Be Alright?
Catchy pop tunes exploring the monotony and uncertainty of living through a pandemic. In other words, it's relatable and listenable. Why not?
FEATURED TRACK: "Yeah Yeah Yeah"
Fazer
Plex
Munich's kraut-jazz quintet has released its latest after signing a new deal with City Slang. The rhythm section is particularly engaging, but trumpeter Matthias Lindermayr is firmly in the spotlight here. "as you listen a bit deeper, textures you didn’t notice at first reveal themselves; subtle syncopations that would pass the casual listener by jolt you.. great albums also create worlds, not all of them play by the same rules, and that should be celebrated." (Clash Magazine)
FEATURED TRACK: "Cuentro"
Anna von Hausswolff
Live At Montreaux Jazz Festival
The vocals! The vocals! The epic, cinematic sweep of the music, the drama, and the incredible vocals! The Swedish singer delivers in this recording of her 2018 Montreaux performance. The rest of the band is up to the task too. "This ensemble performance from 2018 offers an ideal introduction to the Swedish songwriter’s work, showcasing her vocal virtuosity and gothic drama." (Pitchfork)
FEATURED TRACK: "The Truth, the Glow, the Fall"
Steve Roach
Zones, Drones & Atmospheres
Music to drift through the cosmos by (as if the album and song titles weren't enough of a clue). Forced Exposure calls the record, "a masterful expression of subtle, potent ambient-electronic minimalism."
FEATURED TRACK: "Holding Light"
Anna Ash
Sleeper
As if the pandemic weren't enough to contend with, Michigan-born singer Ash fled to California only to have to face the fear and tragedy of sweeping wildfires. A haunting song describing a wait for the inevitable flames to arrive and knowing when it's time to flee. Yet No Depression finds that "Sleeper is a hopeful collection of songs about resilience."
FEATURED TRACK: "Fire Season"
EELS
Extreme Witchcraft
Buzzing guitars and self-deprecating humor...what's not to like? For this, the 14th EELS studio album, the band was forced to work remotely with collaborator John Parish during the pandemic. It all turned out ok, though. And that's all that matters.
FEATURED TRACK: "Good Night On Earth"
Canyon City
Matinee
Paul Johnson, a.k.a. Canyon City, has released his latest six-track EP, Matinee, a collection of sparse and contemplative folk ballads -- sounds to soothe the soul. He and his wife had relocated to CO right before the pandemic hit, so his feelings of isolation were likely doubled by his particular circumstances. Fortunately, he had an outlet for these feelings and a home studio to work through them.
FEATURED TRACK: "So Are We"