April kicks off with the reunion of the Red Hot Chili Peppers with John Frusciante. After rejoining the group at the end of 2019, the band is back with their first album with this line-up since 2006’s sprawling double-album Stadium Arcadium. It sounds like classic Chili Peppers.
Late ‘90s slowcore heroes Duster have a surprise new album out today. It’s called Together and it follows 2019’s self-titled reunion record. Christian Lee Hutson, a prominent collaborator with Phoebe Bridgers, is back with a new album this week. It follows a ton of great covers he released during the pandemic. There’s also a ripping new album from PUP.
Miley Cyrus is a killer live performer and today she’s dropped her first live album. It features all her hits plus some of her excellent covers. There is also a new live album from Desaparecidos, Conor Oberst’s punk group, which is from a show at East Williamsburg’s infamous DIY space Shea Stadium.
Angel Olsen continues her prolific run as this week she announced a new album, Big Time, and shared the gorgeous, yet heartbreaking, lead single “All the Good Times.” She heads out on tour this summer with Sharon Van Etten and Julien Baker, a line up that sounds better by the day. French house icons Alan Braxe and DJ Falcon are back with an EP this summer and this week they gave a preview with the stunning, luxurious “Step by Step” which features Noah Lennox (aka Animal Collective’s Panda Bear) on vocals. It’s easily one of the best tracks of the year.
Pop icon Harry Styles’ highly anticipated single from his third record is also here and it signals a major shift in his sound. Instead of a soaring banger, he’s back with an 8-bit synth-pop track that gives heavy nods to the latest records from The Strokes, but with his dreamy vocals instead of Julian’s growly rasp; an incredible, bold transformation and pivot in his career.
Japanese Breakfast released a unique cover of Bon Iver’s timeless “Skinny Love,” giving it her own style for a thoughtful tribute to the original. METZ frontman Alex Edkins released the second single from his solo record (out in May) and it’s another ripping track that is less abrasive as the music in his main project, but still goes hard.
Dua Saleh, probably best known for their role as Cal on Netflix’s Sex Education, shared the slow burning new track “i belong to you,” a soft, flowing vocal work with steady drums and simmering guitar. Cassandra Jenkins technically released “Pygmalion” last week, but I missed it so I’m including it here. The artist behind the best album of 2021 strikes again!
Much of this week was shrouded by the loss of Taylor Hawkins, the drummer for rock legends Foo Fighters and one of the best drummers ever. I keep reflecting on seeing the band last June at Madison Square Garden for the return of live music to New York and how exhilarating of an experience it was for so many reasons, but most notably the band. It’s been hard to find the words to express my sadness, but also my gratitude to Taylor as a drummer for the ages. His enthusiasm and total joy behind the kit was part of the thrill. A man with a gigantic grin kicking total ass as he unleashes ridiculous fills and solos isn’t something I’ll ever forget. Taylor and Dave had a bond deeper than bandmates and I feel gutted for his loss. Perhaps the last great American rock band, it’ll never be the same to hear these songs and I feel like the luckiest fan for seeing them at such a momentous occasion.
Albums:
Duster | Together
Red Hot Chili Peppers | Unlimited Love
Christian Lee Hutson | Quitters
PUP | THE UNRAVELING OF PUPTHEBAND
Miley Cyrus | Attention: Miley Live
Desaparecidos | MariKKKopa (Live at Shea Stadium)
Songs:
Angel Olsen | “All the Good Times”
Braxe & Falcon | “Step by Step” (ft Panda Bear)
Harry Styles | “As It Was”
Kevin Morby | “Rock Bottom”
Freddie Gibbs | “Ice Cream” (ft Rick Ross)
Marci | “Entertainment”
Parannoul | “Into the Endless Night”
Weird Nightmare | “Lusitania”
Japanese Breakfast | “Skinny Love” [Bon Iver cover]
Dua Saleh | “i belong to you”
Overmono | “Gfortune”
Cassandra Jenkins | “Pygmalion”