Apologies to everyone who received the Gold Soundz email this week and thought it was Friday, that was cruel and I am sorry. However, thank you to those who read about the best new music from January 2024 and I hope to keep this feature alive throughout the year.
In many ways, a new album from J Mascis might seem like a Dinosaur Jr demo record, but on his own, the band’s main songwriter and frontman holds his own (once again) to deliver something between the acoustic tones he embellishes on his own with the caliber of work you’d expect from a band that’s been delivering hits for decades.
Lead singer of Alabama Shakes, Brittany Howard is a modern marvel when it comes to vocal deliveries and you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who can wail as hard as she does on stage while also shredding a guitar. Her latest solo effort ditches her trademarks for electro flare in a surprising twist that takes her to new dimensions.
Last year, Vijay Iyer teamed-up with Arooj Aftab and Shahzad Ismaily for the ambient record Love in Exile. Now, Iyer is back with his trio to offer his new jazz record Compassion which reunites those he worked with on his fantastic record Uneasy. The piano-driven jazz a wonderful new submission from one of the genre’s premier artists.
Perhaps unplanned, but the new single from Burial is now streaming, a week ahead of its official release. Premiering a few weeks back via limited-edition white label 12” vinyl records, the new single harkens back to prime UK-garage and early dubstep textures, reviving the classic sounds that helped cement the artist as one of the most significant producers of his time. The beats hit like shrapnel and the chopped vocal work offers warped perspectives that challenge any familiar thoughts as rhythms break without warning and change moods in an instant.
Soon, Ducks Ltd. will release their new album and the jangle-pop group has offered up another song before the record drops. Starting with a softer acoustic riff, the song morphs into the dreamier tones their fans are most familiar with and expecting, giving it a natural glow and surreal hue. Indie rock legend Mary Timony also has a new album on the way and her latest track, “Summer",” offers us the first blissful taste of the seaon.
Slowcore act Hovvdy are set to release a new album and their new single upholds their ultra-chill vibes of solid rhythms with deep, lush guitars that add an extra atmospheric element to their otherwise straight-forward jams. Shoegaze group Dehd also have a new album on the horizon and their latest track continues their sound of big guitars and treated drums that raise their volume to new heights.
Bicep’s latest track is a hard-hitting techno track that doesn’t let up and while it may be more intense than some of their other tracks, the DJs say it’s more inline with their recent favorites.
Albums:
J Mascis | What Do We Do Now
Brittany Howard | What Now
Vijay Iyer Trio | Compassion
Liquid Mike | Paul Bunyon’s Screenshot
Lee “Scratch” Perry | King Perry
Songs:
Burial | “Dreamfear” / “Boy Sent From Above”
Porno for Pyros | “Little Me”
Ducks Ltd. | “Heavy Bag”
Mary Timony | “Summer”
Hovvdy | “Forever”
Vessel | “Game”
BADBADNOTGOOD | “Take What’s Given”
John Glacier / Eartheater | “Money Shows”
Dehd | “Mood Ring”
Bicep | “CHROMA 001 HELIUM”
If you’re a Spotify user, you can listen to these songs (and more from 2024) here!