As heatwaves continue to assault the world, Jack White looks to cool things down with his second release of the year, the acoustic-leaning Entering Heaven Alive. Jack has always been prolific, but this is the first time we’ve been treated to two albums in one year and it’s exciting to see him explore his range even if the results are some of his most polarizing songs to date.
Speaking of prolific, Ty Segall also has a new one out this week as he continues his incredible run of consistently releasing new material and further proves that he seems to be far from slowing down. Rico Nasty, the bombastic rapper, drops a new one today as well full of high energy bangers that are sure to be hits at festivals and clubs around the country.
Julien Baker hits the road this week as part of the Wild Hearts tour with Angel Olsen and Sharon Van Etten, but before the epic trio share a stage for the summer, Baker dropped a three song EP that recalls her earlier acoustic work. In a similar vein, Billie Eilish surprised released a two song EP called Guitar Songs which also looks back to her earlier days of homespun acoustic ballads.
In the fall, Enumclaw will drop perhaps the best debut album of the year and this week they shared another killer new single called “Cowboy Bepop” which is full of their usual guitar fuzz and only furthers the hype for the new album. Light in the Attic previously announced a box set of early Lou Reed material that went undiscovered for decades. This week they shared a recording of the Velvet Underground standout “Heroin” which was recorded in May 1965.
Dan Snaith, best known as Caribou, announced a new record under his other moniker Daphni and this week shared another single called “Clavicle” which continues the techno inspired trend we’ve come to expect from this project. Following 2020’s What’s Your Pleasure?, Jessie Ware is back to usher in her new era and the disco queen dropped the shimmering new song “Free Yourself” just in time for you to still enjoy it as a soundtrack to your summer.
Titus Andronicus announced a new record this week as well and shared a new song called “(I’m) Screwed” which takes their usual punk and gives it a hearty dose of Springsteen-anthem energy that will surely come alive in the pit. Kiwi jr also offered up another new track from their forthcoming album and while this one is a bit slowed down in comparison to their typical energy, it’s still got a killer groove that should provide a nice change of pace from their usual rocking tracks.
Rising jazz legend Makaya McCraven shared another new single this week, the effervescent “Dream Another” which continues his streak as one of the latest greats in modern jazz. Channel Tres also has a new one this week which is set to appear on a new album called Real Cultural Shit sure to get things grooving and you to the dance floor. Cornelius returned with a new song, the first piece of new music since he left his role as composer for opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Tokyo, and it features mei ehara on vocals over his comics melodies.
Death metal band Innumerable Forms announced their return earlier in the week and with the announcement came the roaring new single “Built on Wrought” which is a supremely heavy number full of brooding vocals and howling guitar.
Before playing a stellar show in Central Park, Lucy Dacus released a new version of her Home Video track “Partner in Crime” and also included a great cover of Cher’s iconic “Believe.” Finally, there can sometimes be a downside to sending this email on Friday mornings before all the latest tracks drop and last week was such a time as after I sent this newsletter, Hulu shared a studio version of Only Murders in the Building’s excellent comedy track “Angel in Flip-Flops” as performed by Steven Martin. I hope you’re like me and have it on repeat as the song of the summer.
Albums:
Jack White | Entering Heaven Alive
Ty Segall | Hello, Hi
Rico Nasty | Las Ruinas
Beach Bunny | Emotional Creature
She & Him | Melt Away: A Tribute To Brian Wilson
Julien Baker | B-Sides EP
Billie Eilish | Guitar Songs EP
Songs:
Enumclaw | “Cowboy Bepop”
Jessie Ware | “Free Yourself”
Lou Reed | “Heroin” [May 1965 Demo]
Daphni | “Clavicle”
Julia Jacklin | “Love, Try Not To Let Go”
Titus Andronicus | “(I’m) Screwed”
Makaya McCraven | “Dream Another”
Channel Tres | “Just Can’t Get Enough”
Afghan Whigs | “A Line of Shots”
Kiwi jr. | “The Extra Sees the Film”
Innumerable Forms | “Built on Wrought”
Cornelius | “Change And Vanish” (feat mei ehara)
Lucy Dacus | “Believe” [Cher cover]
Wilco | “Pot Kettle Black” (Live at the Pageant, St. Louis, MO 7/23/02)
Steve Martin | “Angel in Flip-Flops”
If you’re a Spotify user, you can listen to these songs (and more from 2022) here!