Well, this is an absolutely stacked week of new albums and every single one I’m listing this week should be worth your time. Personally, I’m most excited for the new one from Grouper. Liz Harris returns with an album that has been in progress for over a decade and the first two single confirm that it’s more of Grouper’s glowing, ethereal sound that wraps you in a blanket of sonic pleasures. Her voice barely above a whisper feels like an added texture amongst the scraping guitars and piano. Breathtaking every time.
Parquet Courts are also back with their latest album, one inspired by downtown New York party vibes that channel the work of Primal Scream and Keith Harring to create something of an acid-wash disco record that still rocks. My Morning Jacket have also returned with a new album that follows last year’s Waterfall II. The singles are what we’d expect from the band and continue their epic jams.
Trace Mountains follow last year’s excellent record with another new one that channels lighter heartland rock with a more acoustic and softer approach than the usual synth-heavy stylings others usually add into the mix. Deerhoof also have a new one out this week to add to their stellar discography. Lana Del Ray returns with her second album of 2021, this one is not produced by Jack Antonoff, but is still a companion record to Chemtrails Over the Country Club.
There is a new live album from the John Coltrane estate hitting us today as well. This one is an extremely rare performance of A Love Supreme played in full from a pretty stellar band including Pharoah Sanders as well as the original group from the recording.
Jack White shared his first new solo song since 2018 and gave us a rocking electric version as well as a slowed-down country take as well. Animal Collective also shook off some rust and announced their first new studio album since 2016 and shared the dreamy first single, “Prester John.”
Metal behemoth’s Mastodon also shared a prog-y new single that fuels the fire for those who lean towards the math-rock side of the band and less so their metal roots. Disco superstars ABBA shared the third single from their upcoming reunion album as well and Jlin continues to push the boundaries of Footwork with their latest single “Embryo.”
The New York Times published a piece on why it’s so hard to buy (and sell) vinyl right now. Delays are impacting everyone from indie artists looking to sell a few hundred copies all the way up to mega-stars like Adele whose new album has been ready for SIX months, but was delayed until now due to pressing delays. I’ve been buying records for ever fifteen years and it’s never been so hard to find new releases as it is right now.
If you’re in New York City today, Cassandra Jenkins is headlining Bowery Ballroom this evening and it’s not one to miss. After releasing the Album of the Year contender An Overview on Phenomenal Nature earlier this year, I’m excited to hear these majestic songs come to life in a live setting. I’ll be helping sell merch for this one too so if you can, be sure to swing by for an incredible evening.
Albums:
Grouper | Shade
Parquet Courts | Sympathy for Life
My Morning Jacket | My Morning Jacket
Trace Mountains | House of Confusion
Deerhoof | Actually, You Can
Helado Negro | Far In
Lana Del Ray | Blue Banisters
Circuit Des Yeux | -io
Hand Habits | Fun House
Dinner | Dream Work
Majid Jordan | Wildest Dreams
Rüfüs Du Sol | Surrender
Jacques Greene | Anth01
John Coltrane | A Love Supreme: Live in Seattle
The Rolling Stones | Tattoo You [40th anniversary]
Songs:
Jack White | “Taking Me Back”
Aeon Station | “Leaves”
Animal Collective | “Prester John”
Jlin | “Embryo”
ABBA | “Just a Notion”
Mastodon | “Sickle and Peace”
Jeff Tweedy | “That Old Country Waltz” [Neil Young cover]
TOPS | “Waiting”
Real Estate | “Days” [Television cover]
If you’re a Spotify user, you can listen to these songs (and more from 2021) here!