After the onslaught of great albums in February, March rolls in with a slower start. There aren’t many big names with new records this week, but Kali Uchis is leading the pack with her latest record, Red Moon In Venus. Her high-flying fantasy pop continues to embolden and create a unique utopia of effervescent pop.
Avant-guard experimental pop artist Xiu Xiu has a new one out this week that continues to find the progressive band changing up their sonic landscape to create something that’s always uniquely their own. Tanukichan drops GIZMO this week, a buzzing record of heavy, reverb-soaked guitar that features a guest spot from Enumclaw that heightens the ‘90s nostalgia.
Psyched-out surf rock act Spirit Ghost drops their new record today as well and it’s full of catchy riffs and a bit of a retro sound that links back to halcyon days of 2010s indie rock that sounds genuinely authentic and one that cements the idea that rock has been revived. England’s Dry Cleaning have an EP that follows last year’s Stumpwork out today too.
Following last year’s great album Household Names, Momma roared back this week with a killer new track that added subtle synths to their alt-rock vibes, a stepping stone to a fresh new sound. Slow Pulp also dropped a new one this week which also features loud, heavy guitars and reaffirms the resurgence of ‘90s style rock music that now seem inescapable (in the best way possible).
At the end of the month, boygenius will release their full-length debut and this week they shared the track “Not Strong Enough.” While their other singles featured one member taking prominent lead, this one sounds like a true collaboration that brings their sound to a great peak and continues to build the hype around the rising supergroup. Canadian four-piece Dilly Dally announced they’re calling it quits later this year, but not before dishing out two ripping final tracks. “Colour of Joy” in particular absolutely shreds and sends the band out with a bang.
Glenn Donaldson strikes back this week with yet another new track from his band The Reds, Pinks and Purples who are set to release their latest album in just a few weeks and the title-track is another stab of high-end jangle-pop. Meanwhile, Glenn is pulling double duty with The Telephone Numbers who also have shared their latest this week, the somehow more sullen “Weird Sisters.”
Yves Tumor is weeks away from releasing a new album and this week they shared the song “Heaven Surrounds Us Like a Hood” furthering their quest as the rock star of the future we didn’t know we need, but now can’t live without. Arlo Parks is also about to drop her sophomore record and this week we got the meditative track, “Impurities.”
Progressive jazz collective Natural Information Society shared an epic, sprawling track that is sure have you getting lost in the rhythm as the expressive song meanders along with dizzying melodies and an eclectic groove. billy woods has reworked a track by Party Dozen that finds one of the most exciting rappers in the game adding his hollowed-out sound to the song and gives it a new, stark contrast that is truly all his own.
Larry June and The Alchemist have teamed up for another excellent track that features Alchemist’s traditional dusty grooves and warped beats for a classic hip-hop throwback that still sounds fresh to death. Shygirl has also linked with Tinashe for a remake of last year’s awesome “Heaven” giving it a new feel with classic soul.
Princess Nokia’s latest single, “lo siento,” is low-key number that gives her voice a stunning platform over a soft piano riff, making for one of her more minimal, yet moving tracks to date. Olivia Kaplan also dropped a soft tune full of lush composition and pristine vocal work.
Finally, while not technically new releases, the discography of hip-hop legends De La Soul is now on streaming services after years of legal battles to finally obtain the rights.
Albums:
Kali Uchis | Red Moon In Venus
Xiu Xiu | Ignore Grief
Tanukichan | GIZMO
Spirit Ghost | Melting Right Before Your Eyes
Kate NV | WOW
Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach | The Songs Of Bacharach & Costello
Willie Nelson | I Don’t Know A Thing About Love
Dry Cleaning | Swampy EP
Songs:
Momma | “Bang Bang”
boygenius | “Not Strong Enough”
The Reds, Pinks and Purples | “The Town That Cursed Your Name”
The Telephone Numbers | “Weird Sisters”
Yves Tumor | “Heaven Surrounds Us Like a Hood”
Dilly Dally | “Colour of Joy” / “Morning Light”
Slow Pulp | “Cramps”
Fred again.. | “Mike (desert island duvet)” (ft The Streets and Dermot Kennedy)
Arlo Parks | “Impurities”
Natural Information Society | “Stigmergy”
Jacques Greene | “Believe”
Party Dozen | “Earthly Times” [billy woods rework]
Princess Nokia | “lo siento”
Liturgy | “Before I Knew the Truth”
Larry June / The Alchemist | “89 Earthquake”
Olivia Kaplan | “American Air”
Youth Lagoon | “Idaho Alien”
Shygirl | “Heaven” [Tinashe remix]
If you’re a Spotify user, you can listen to these songs (and more from 2023) here!