With spring right around the corner and longer days ahead, we’re being ushered into the new season with a continuous supply of great new music. This week, Lana Del Ray drops her ninth studio album and on it, only furthers her legend as one of the most definitive singer songwriters of her generation, polarizing in every capacity and an unmatched talent that gives no indication of a slowdown on the way.
Following the untimely death of longtime member Andy Fletcher, it was unclear if Depeche Mode would carry on, let alone record a new album, but to their own surprise, the synth-pop titans are back with their latest album, Memento Mori, which has been lead by impressive singles that solidifies the band’s return, but argues they’re here to confirm their legacy never fades to silence.
In a rather unexpcted, but definitely exciting move, jazz pianist Vijay Iyer has linked up with experimental pop artist Arooj Aftab as well as Shahzad Ismaily for a new LP of spaced-out odysseys that don’t firmly fall into any one genre, but will surely inspire and make for an interesting and cerebral listen crafted by improve wonders. A quit when you’re dead mentality can certainly apply to Glenn Donaldson, the voice and brain behind the jangle-pop project The Reds, Pinks and Purples who’ve been on a prolific run of late, and today, Glenn is back with yet another full-length of delightful new tunes.
Last year, Black Country, New Road released their fantastic sophomore record just days after their lead singer left the group. Rather than calling it quits, the band carried on, wrote and performed brand new songs, kept touring, and are now back with a live album that captures all of their unreleased material. Caroline Rose has shared a plethora of singles leading up to her new record that’s out today and each of them shared new insight into her songwriting evolution that sets this album up to be one that will surely open new doors and take her in new directions, exposing her sound to whole new audiences.
After teasing a collaboration for years, JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown finally dropped a single just last week and announced their album would be out this coming Friday. The two tracks we’ve heard so far suggests a chaotic, experimental experience that will blur their respective traits into something of epic proportion. On another extreme, avant-guard jazz musician Angel Bat Dawid has a new record out today as well that further explores new dimensions of the genre and asserts her position as one of the most innovative artists in her scene.
Throwback rockers Bully announced a new record and shared the excellent and crunchy new single “Days Move Slow” which finds Alicia Bognanno moving into more melodic alternative territory, something everyone should be excited about. The National’s new record is out soon and this week they shared another new song, “Eucalyptus.” Building over the soft, tranquil sound the band has submerged itself in over recent records, the track builds with infused electronics and amplified percussion to end in the grand finish these guys do so well.
The upcoming album from rockers Wednesday is one of the year’s most anticipated guitar-forward records and this week, the band released the final single ahead of its release. “TV in the Gas Pump” is a winding track about the highs and lows of life on tour and delivers a steady buzz which will close out the record with blown-out bliss. Country Westerns are also set to deliver another rocking record this spring featuring their latest single, “Grapefruit.” It’s another country-fried rock song with blasted vocals and extra crunchy guitar that already sounds like it’s been bouncing off bar walls for years.
Westerman’s excellent debut was a stunning example of synth-pop splendor and this year he’ll follow it up with his anticipated sophomore record which includes his latest single, the buzzing “Take.,” which adds some new layers to his sound. Guitarist extraordinaries, Jeff Parker and Matthew Stevens have teamed up for a new take on the traditional “Alberta” which will appear on the upcoming Doc Watson tribute album.
Albums:
Lana Del Rey | Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd
Depeche Mode | Memento Mori
JPEGMAFIA / Danny Brown | Scaring The Hoes Vol 1
Black Country, New Road | Live At Bush Hall
Arooj Aftab / Vijay Iyer / Shahzad Ismaily | Love In Exile
Caroline Rose | The Art Of Forgetting
The Reds, Pinks & Purples | The Town That Cursed Your Name
Angel Bat Dawid | Requiem For Jazz
Kele | The Flames Pt. 2
Liturgy | 93696
Navy Blue | Ways Of Knowing
Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra | Plays Well With Others EP
Songs:
Bully | “Days Move Slow”
The National | “Eucalyptus”
Wednesday | “TV in the Gas Pump”
Westerman | “Take”
Country Westerns | “Grapefruit”
Moor Mother | “WE GOT THE JAZZ”
Jeff Parker / Matthew Stevens | “Alberta”
Mega Bog | “Love Is”
Larry June / The Alchemist | “Palisades, CA” (ft Big Sean)
Swans | “Paradise is Mine”
Shygirl | “Woe (I See It From Your Side)” (Björk remix)
If you’re a Spotify user, you can listen to these songs (and more from 2023) here!