February continues to deliver the goods and this week we’re led by the new album from cartoon superstars Gorillaz. On their, as usual, guest-filled eight record, the run time is their shortest yet, but the singles suggest the usual kaleidoscope of influences from pop, reggae, electronic, and hip-hop that is sure to make this another excellent edition to their elaborate catalogue.
Speaking of epic guest lists, Algiers has also recruited an all-star cast for their new record making for an experimental collaboration full of rich textures and intense grandeur. Also out this week is the newest from U.S. Girls which was led by a smattering of excellent singles that suggest their usual blend of trip-hop and electronic elements soar to even further pop heights that are sure to shimmer with funky fever.
Shame have a new one today as well which sharpens their dry, post-punk aesthetics for classic indie rock vibes that only showcase that a ‘90s revival is far from dying out. Model/Actriz, on the other hand, are reviving the dance-punk moments of the early outs with their thrilling take on jagged hooks that are met with dancing grooves that are sure to make for eclectic moments on the club floor.
Indie folk luminaries Neutral Milk Hotel are dropping their career-spanning box set today which includes both of their full-length albums, EPs, and other cannot miss tracks for their legions of die hard fans who’ve spent years hoping for a chance to hear something new from Jeff Mangum and company. This is a reward that will surely pay off. Aughts heroes The Strokes also have a box set out this week which collects all of their early singles and b-sides which include primitive versions of those stone cold classics as well as some unearthed treasures that should appeal beyond those who still eagerly anticipate their return to glory.
Over the past two decades, The National have risen to a top-tier indie act and next month they’ll return with a new album. This week they shared the record’s second single, the meditative “New Order T Shirt.” Rising sensations Wednesday also have a new album dropping in April and the third single, “Bath County,” continues to build the hype around this raw-boned rock record with its metallic guitar squall and ragged screams.
The awaited return of Frankie Rose is drawing to a close with her new album quickly approaching and this week she dropped the synth-pop gem “Come Back” to hold us over until the record finally arrives. We’re also nearing the release of the first album from Everything But the Girl in over twenty years and the second single from the group continues to suggest that the duo hasn’t lost their evocative charm.
San Francisco’s Cindy make bleary-eyed dream-pop with the delayed percussion of slowcore making for a tranquil, yet emotive sound that comes to life on their new single, “Trumpet on the Hillside.” It’s the first preview of their new record which drops later this year. After disbanding WU LYF, Ellery Roberts moved on to his new project Lost Under Heaven and this year they’ll release a new album led by the gruff new single, “Shadowboxing.”
Yaeji has been making a name for herself as one of the most promising up and coming DJs and she’s about to drop her proper debut. The album’s second single is the exhilarating and instantly catchy, “Done (Let’s Get It).” British DJs Overmono also have an album on the way and they’ve shared another bracing track that will also have listeners flooding the dance floor.
K. Campbell released the pair of singles “Smoke” and “Somebody Else” as the fifth installment in a series that began in 2019. The tracks take bluesy-punk and give them a surf-rock makeover for some glitzy, retro rock and roll. Militarie Gun are gearing up to release their official debut full-length and this week they posted their new single, the gritty and rambunctious “Do It Faster.”
Albums:
Gorillaz | Cracker Island
Algiers | Shook
U.S. Girls | Bless This Mess
Iris DeMent | Workin’ On A World
Sam Gendel | COOKUP
Shame | Food for Worms
Model/Actriz | Dogsbody
Philip Selway | Strange Dance
Karol G | Mañana Será Bonito
Channel Tres | Real Cultural Shit EP
Neutral Milk Hotel | The Collected Works Of Neutral Milk Hotel [box set]
The Strokes | The Singles - Volume 1 [box set]
Songs:
The National | “New Order T-Shirt”
Wednesday | “Bath County”
Frankie Rose | “Come Back”
Everything But the Girl | “Caution to the Wind”
Cindy | “Trumpet on the Hillside”
Yaeji | “Done (Let’s Get It)”
Overmono | “Calling Out”
Kali Uchis | “Moonlight”
Lost Under Heaven | “Shadowboxing”
Princess Nokia | “complicated”
Tanlines | “Outer Banks”
Militarie Gun | “Do It Faster”
K. Campbell | “Smoke” / “Somebody Else”
Spencer Zahn | “Short Drive Home”
If you’re a Spotify user, you can listen to these songs (and more from 2023) here!