This week’s edition of Gold Soundz is an abridge version as I’m in Barcelona to attend Primavera Sound Weekend 2. Nevertheless, there are still some great releases this week worth checking out!
The Range is back with his first new album since 2016’s excellent The Potential and he carries on his hard electronics that fill a groove and bring the beats. Emo/pop-punk titans Joyce Manor are back this week as well with a new one that is filled with huge hooks and catchy choruses that continue to push their strengths and are sure to become earworms that fill you with a rush of energy.
It’s been a long time since SZA’s landmark album control and this week she celebrated the album with a deluxe edition featuring “new” songs that were written during the same time as her last record, but didn’t make the cut. Any time we get something from SZA it’s a treat, so this is a nice surprise as we await her follow-up.
Neneh Cherry’s new record is a covers collection where artists perform her songs. It' features Robyn’s stunning take on her Raw Like Sushi classic “Buffalo Stance.” Kelly Clarkson also has a covers album out this week, but she’s the one performing on this one and it features some pretty wild selections that Kelly makes all her own. It ends with a fantastic cover of Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Trees.”
Earlier this week, Light in the Attic announced an incredible reissue of Lou Reed’s 1965 demos that have never been heard. We got the first taste with a demo of the Velvet’s classic “I’m Waiting for the Man,” which also features John Cale, and it’s a folkier version than the final one on the album, but a dreamy preview of the whole record.
After releasing one album already in 2022, Jack White has another in store for this summer and this week he shared “If I Die Tomorrow.” This upcoming record is the acoustic one and features more stripped down tracks as oppose to the electric crush of Fear of the Dawn.
Afro-jazz up and comers Kokoroko will release their debut full-length album this summer and have shared another wonderful groove from the record that evolves their hustling rhythms with their forever chill style. Macri, the pseudonym of Marta Cikojevic of Montreal’s TOPS, has another dreamy new tune out this week. It’s a lush electronic song that features her silky smooth vocals and is pure chill.
Moor Mother is working at an incredible pace and just a few weeks after releasing a collaborative record with DJ Hatam as 700 Bliss, she’s back with a new single of her own, “Woody Shaw.” This is yet another great track from one of the most adventurous and progressive artists in the game.
Albums:
The Range | Mercury
Joyce Manor | 40 oz to Fresno
Neneh Cherry | The Versions
Kelly Clarkson | Kellyoke EP
SZA | Ctrl (Deluxe)
Songs:
Lou Reed | “I’m Waiting for the Man” [1965 demo]
Kokoroko | “Age of Ascent”
Jack White | “If I Die Tomorrow”
Macri | “Terminal”
Soccer Mommy | “newdemo”
Moor Mother | “Woody Shaw”
Princess Nokia | “Diva”
SASAMI | “Tried to Understand” (ft J Mascis)
Horse Jumper of Love | “Sitting on the Porch at Night”
If you’re a Spotify user, you can listen to these songs (and more from 2022) here!