Another year in the books! Something feels different about what’s to come. Any ideas why? Stay safe out there people!
- Arooj Aftab – Night Reign Another beautiful, ethereal release from Brooklyn based Pakistani star.
- MJ Lenderman – Manning Fireworks Classic alt-country rock. Straight forward, no nonsense head bopping rock.
- Still House Plants – If I Don’t Make It, I Love U A genre bending gem. This trio generates a lot of power, utilizing vocals as another instrument.
- Mount Eerie – Night Palace Love the grooves. This is a late night, headphone party for complete immersion.
- Mannequin Pussy – I Got Heaven Do not be fooled by the aggressive intro. There is plenty of pure pop on this record.
- Mk.gee – Two Star & the Dream Police Experimental, lo-fi R&B? Is that a thing? It must be because that is exactly what this American songwriter is doing.
- Friko – Where We’ve Been, Where We Go From Here A new generation of Emo is upon us. And I am digging in big time.
- Shellac – To All Trains Easy to forget how powerful this band was. Thankfully, every few years we get a reminder.
- Beth Gibbons – Lives Outgrown Primal and earthy, her best record in years. Makes for excellent end of the day, winddown music.
- Magdalena Bay – Imaginal Disk Pure candy pop for the new age. Not the typical sound I go for, but the hooks draw me in.
- Mdou Moctar – Funeral for Justice An assault right from the start. Mdou retains his native self in this strong release.
- Kim Gordon – The Collective Was not sure what to expect here, but now that I have had a few listens under my belt, it is exactly what I should have expected. Downtown industrial.
- The Decemberists – As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again Another solid release. When all is said and done, this is a band with which I will always come back to.
- Michael Kiwanuka – Small Changes A very chill, smooth R&B classic. Mellower than past releases, this is good Sunday morning music.
- 2nd Grade – Scheduled Explosions Power pop at its finest. Crunchy and very reminiscent of Apples in Stereo, Spin Art Records.
- J Mascis – Can’t Believe We Are Here Always great to hear new J. Poppier than most, but still with blistering solos. A nostalgic pick for sure.
- The Folk Implosion – Walk Thru Me Nothing groundbreaking here, but always good to hear what’s on Lou’s mind.
- Father John Misty – Mahashmashana Always with the big sounds, another solid release from this innovator.
- Fax Gang & Parannoul – Scattersun Larger than life, it starts off small but grows. And dominates!
- Wilco – Hot Sun Cool Shroud Yes, only an EP, but a powerful one. Fits nicely into their incredibly deep catalog.
Ambient / Jazz / Experimental
- Max Richter – In a Landscape Like musical poetry.
- Nala Sinephro – Endlessness Beautiful and endless for sure.
- Charles Lloyd – The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow 1st newbie in 5 years. A real winner.
- Matthew Shipp / Matthew Shipp Trio – New Concepts in Piano Trio Jazz A power trio.
- Milton Nascimento / Esperanza Spalding – Milton + Esperanza Great collaboration.
- Rafael Toral – Spectral Evolution One long spacey track.
- Ryuichi Sakamoto – Opus His last performance from someone who lived a great life.
- Jeff Parker ETA IVtet – The Way Out of Easy Groove-oriented minimalism. More Jeff.
- Lifted – Trellis More ambient jazz. Need to spend more time with this.
- Belong – Realistic IX Bleached guitars fuel this drone. Think a softer, instrumental MBV.
- Amaro Freitas – Y’Y Another excellent Jeff Parker contribution.
- Dawn Richard and Spencer Zahn – Quiet in a World Full of Noise Great album title.
- Yasmin Williams – Acadia Beautiful fingerpicking. From a different era.
- St. Etienne – The Night Angelic and soothing.
- Lou Reed – Hudson River Wind Meditations Ambient soundscapes.
- Kamasi Washington – Fearless Movement As powerful as ever.
- Perila and Ulla – Jazz Plates Mood music for a dreamy state.
- Elori Saxl – Drifts and Surfaces Drifting is a great description.
- Mary Lattimore and Walt McClements – Rain on the Road More harps!
- Jlin – Akoma Like a soundtrack to a horror movie.
Reissues
- Galaxie 500 – Uncollected Noise New York 88-90 Newly unearthed archival material.
- Bob Dylan – The 1974 Live Recordings 417 previously unreleased tracks from a great era.
- Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young – Live at the Fillmore Does not get any better than this.
- Miles Davis – Miles ’54: The Prestige… A who’s who of all-time greats on this collection.
- Neil Young – Neil Young Archives Vol. III (1976-1987) 1st CD alone is worth it.
- Pavement – Cautionary Tales: Jukebox Classiques Complete catalog of 7” singles.
- Alice Coltrane – The Carnegie Hall Concert (Live) Hypnotic through and through.
- Grateful Dead – Dave’s Picks, Vol. 50: Palladium – New York City, NY 5/3/77 Classic!
- John Cale – Paris 1919 (Deluxe Edition) Remastered with unreleased tracks.
- Sonny Rollins – Freedom Weaver: The 1959 European Recordings A free jazz classic.