Happy Pride! June starts off strong with the new release from Angel Olsen, but otherwise the weeks is rather quiet. Technically, this is Olsen’s first album of new material since 2019’s All Mirrors, but it comes after a particularly prolific streak from the songwriter that includes an album of B-sides, a box set, a covers EP, and the song of 2021, her duet with Sharon Van Etten, “Like I Used To.” As Angel puts it, she’s back on the twang, gang, and this record finds her cruising through her comfort zone.
Horsegirl drop their debut this week that channels pure indie rock hey-day jams from the likes of Sonic Youth, Belle & Sebastian, and Flying Nun Records. It’s a fun nostalgia trip that also gives fresh new takes on a classic sound. Andrew Bird also has a new one out this week, Inside Problems.
In early 2000s news, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs announced their first new album in a decade and shared the promising new single “Spitting Off the Edge of the World,” a bold, cinematic track that is epic in scale and feels like a rebirth from one of New York’s best. Phoenix and of Montreal also had new songs, but neither captured the magic of their best hits.
Maggie Rogers’ new album is out this summer and her second track, “Want Want,” continues the sound of “That’s Where I Am” and it’s another propulsive single that seems to be begging to be played in front of a massive crowd. Viagra Boys also have a new one this week that channels the dance-punk vibes of the early aughts and gives more promise to their upcoming album as well.
Last week, the legendary Neil Young announced yet another “lost” album that would see the light of day via his Archives series. The album, toast, was recorded with his iconic backing band Crazy Horse and the first single, “Standing in the Light of Love,” recalls his forever classic sound of loud, fuzzed-out guitar barn burners.
Jungle released a pair of singles this week, their first new tracks since last year’s Loving in Stereo, and they keep their funky, soulful grooves firmly intact and ready to soundtrack the summer. Betty Who also makes a return this week with her new, disco-fueled, ‘90s-inspired bop “Blow Out My Candle.”
This summer sees the release of Fire Island and MUNA have covered Britney Spears’ classic, “Sometimes,” for the soundtrack.
Albums:
Angel Olsen | Big Time
Horsegirl | Versions of Modern Performance
Andrew Bird | Inside Problems
Bo Burnham | The Inside Outtakes
Songs:
Yeah Yeah Yeahs | ”Spitting Off the Edge of the World” (ft Perfume Genius)
Jungle | “GOOD TIMES” / “PROBLEMZ”
Maggie Rogers | ”Want Want”
Betty Who | “Blow Out My Candle”
Viagra Boys | ”Punk Rock Losers”
Neil Young and Crazy Horse | “Standing in the Light of Love“
Tim Heidecker | “Sirens of Titan” (ft Kurt Vile)
MUNA | “Sometimes” [Britney Spears cover]
If you’re a Spotify user, you can listen to these songs (and more from 2022) here!