Each month seems to have a big week for new releases and I’m excited to say that we’ve reached that week in August. Today we have new records from Lorde, Sturgill Simpson, a covers EP from Angel Olsen, and one of my favorite bands of the last ten years, Deafheaven. For the first 24 hours (all of today, August 20), Angel Olsen will be directing 100% of her Bandcamp sales from the EP to the International Refugee Assistance Project which is currently helping out with those fleeing Afghanistan. If you’re looking to buy music this week, Angel is always a solid choice and now it’s almost a no-brainer.
Black metal greats Wolves in the Throne Room also have a new one out this week, so for those who may be turned off by Deafheaven’s move towards dream pop, you can still get your fix with something a bit heavier. Personally, I can’t wait to dive in and give one of my most anticipated releases of the year several listens.
Parquet Courts announced a new album and shared the groovy lead single, “Walking at a Downtown Pace.” Future Islands also shared a one-off single, their first piece of new music in 2021, which is a glowing synth-pop jam that feels fitting for late summer evenings.
In honor of Madonna’s birthday, Italians Do It Better (a label named after a shirt she wore in the “Papa Don’t Preach” video) released a covers compilation and Sally Shapiro’s take on “Holiday” isn’t one to miss. Low have also shared another new single from their upcoming album.
Last week, Ka surprise released his new album, but the only way to hear it is to buy the .wav files directly from the man himself. You can, however, stream a song on YouTube (for now). Bartees Strange has remixed tracks by Phoebe Bridgers and Illuminati Hotties, however both tracks are more covers than remixes. Regardless, give them both a listen.
And finally, Aaliyah’s 1996 album One In a Million is on streaming services for the first time and the rest of her catalogue is set to follow. While this is exciting news for fans, her estate says “unauthorized.”
Albums:
Deafheaven | Infinite Granite
Angel Olsen | Aisles EP
Lorde | Solar Power
Wolves in the Throne Room | Primordial Arcana
Sturgill Simpson | The Ballad of Dood and Juanita
Shannon & The Clams | Year Of The Spider
Pile | Songs Known Together, Alone
Mia Doi Todd | Ten Views Of Music Life
Ty Dolla $ign / dvsn | Cheers to the Best Memories
Songs:
Ka | “I Notice”
Parquet Courts | “Walking at a Downtown Pace”
Future Islands | “Peach”
Low | “More”
Sally Shapiro | “Holiday” [Madonna cover]
James Blake | “Life is Not the Same”
José González | “Swing”
Spirit Was | “I Saw the Wheel”
박혜진 Park Hye Jin | “I Need You”
Disclosure | “In My Arms”
Phoebe Bridgers | “Kyoto” [Bartees Strange remix]
Illuminati Hotties | “Pool Hoppin’” [Bartees Strange remix]
Neil Young | “Cowgirl in the Sand” [Live in 1971]
The Rolling Stones | “Living in the Heart of Love”
If you’re a Spotify user, you can listen to these songs (and more from 2021) here!