NEW ALBUMS (released within last month/30 days) Worth a Listen

Arghus wrote: »

As mentioned above...

New St. Vincent, Daddy's Home, is out today. It's another change of style, big 70's funk and soul vibe off it. So far, I like it, I'm a big fan, but she's never topped Actor/Strange Mercy era for me and her later stuff was fitfully brilliant, rather than downright inspired. But so far so good with this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ9iAlm-sJ8

4Ad wrote: »

Over hyped blandness.

Arghus wrote: »

To each their own but I think you're being harsh enough there!

I think Actor and Strange Mercy are great records, really weird and angular. There's a real edge to those records, something kinda intentionally off or sick. Far from bland in my book - listen to something like Black Rainbow or Northern Lights from that era, both mad chaotic songs - and not really fitting neatly into categories. For better or worse, I don't think there's anyone else quite like her.

I'd accept that what she's done since then has been less interesting, because it has been for me. A lot of her earlier weirdness isn't there in quite the same way and her albums seem to be as much motivated by persona and concept as they are by the music, but I still find her a really interesting artist and I appreciate that what she puts out is never a re-hash of what's she has put out before.

I went to see her as well in 2017 and I totally get what you are saying, but, I dunno, I enjoyed what she was trying to do, even if the show didn't rock my socks off. She leaned a lot on the new material from 2017 in that show and that was definitely her most straight ahead and consciously pop material. It's a cliché, but her earlier stuff is better.

As for the new album after a good few listens: it's good IMO. Maybe not great though. It has a very good opening half, some of which is pretty raw, but the second half is slightly samey. And some songs are all about the production and arrangement, when it wouldn't hurt to focus more on the songwriting and I wouldn't mind her returning to actually trying to rock a bit more.

Arghus wrote: »

To each their own but I think you're being harsh enough there!

I think Actor and Strange Mercy are great records, really weird and angular. There's a real edge to those records, something kinda intentionally off or sick. Far from bland in my book - listen to something like Black Rainbow or Northern Lights from that era, both mad chaotic songs - and not really fitting neatly into categories. For better or worse, I don't think there's anyone else quite like her.

I'd accept that what she's done since then has been less interesting, because it has been for me. A lot of her earlier weirdness isn't there in quite the same way and her albums seem to be as much motivated by persona and concept as they are by the music, but I still find her a really interesting artist and I appreciate that what she puts out is never a re-hash of what's she has put out before.

I went to see her as well in 2017 and I totally get what you are saying, but, I dunno, I enjoyed what she was trying to do, even if the show didn't rock my socks off. She leaned a lot on the new material from 2017 in that show and that was definitely her most straight ahead and consciously pop material. It's a cliché, but her earlier stuff is better.

As for the new album after a good few listens: it's good IMO. Maybe not great though. It has a very good opening half, some of which is pretty raw, but the second half is slightly samey. And some songs are all about the production and arrangement, when it wouldn't hurt to focus more on the songwriting and I wouldn't mind her returning to actually trying to rock a bit more.

ShaneU wrote: »

Love the new Spellling album

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdf62fcwmeA

Loving the new Clairo album

It's been ages since I posted on this thread, but I just popped in for a look and found myself going "YES". Some fantastic songs, I was never really mad into her before the last album, but I really rated that one, and now, suddenly, I realise that she's one of my favourite musicians working today - there are some fantastic songs on the new record.

Yeah, the new Just Mustard is a properly good record. Big step up in overall quality IMO.

Still is an absolutely brilliant song.

New Angel Olsen is really good too.

Her best since Burn Your Fire... IMO.

It's been a damn good year for music so far.

Forgot where I'd read this! Loving the Just Mustard album recently, thanks for the heads up

Also really enjoyed my first listen of the new Metric album, out last week. Doomscroller is one hell of an opener

Yeah, great album!

'Heavy Heavy' by Young Fathers is the best new album I've heard in about 3-4 years.

Cracker Island - Gorillaz.

I didn't hear any of the 5, yes, 5 singles released up to now, before this album was released last week.

I liked some of the earlier singles "Clint Eastwood" and "Feel Good Inc" but wouldn't have listened to any of their other stuff, but for some reason this one has just pulled me in.

New Pagans from Belfast have just released a new album

The new Enter Shikari album, A Kiss For The Whole World, is awesome!

It's actually quite, well, poppy by their standards. It's pretty immediate and accessible, which I wouldn't expect to like from them but it's really working for me. It's the usual mix of solidarity and facing the realities of the world with optimism. It's simplistic, but it's so earnest I just buy into it. I'd say it'll settle as being my third favourite of their albums, and it's a very high bar

Any thoughts on the new album from The National?

I used to be a massive fan but, try as I might, I can't get into this or I Am Easy To Find. They both seem a bit generic, a bit "An album by The National™ "

I really like it actually. The preview tracks were excellent but the Alien is my favourite track so far. Grease in your Hair reminds me of Mr. November though.

Not sure about all the Taylor Swift love either.

looking forward to hearing the new BellX1 album too.