The final week of October is here and this week’s new releases are limited, but still bring some excitement. Responsible for releasing some of the most abstract hip-hop records of the past decade (which happen to be many of my personal favorites as well), Shabazz Palaces beam down from the cosmos once again to drop their latest, a mini-album, of icy new sounds that continue to blow minds as Ishmael Butler raps his brilliant word play through a flow and style all his own. It’s mind bending music that takes time to settle before unveiling the genius at work.
Forever prolific singer-songwriter John Darnielle has been at the helm of some of the best lyrics this century and today he is back with a full-band for his latest collection of tracks that focus on his recurring character Jenny who first appeared on her namesake track from his landmark album All Hail West Texas. Taking inspiration from dream-pop and shimmering sounds of the ‘80s, Wild Nothing returns with a new album of glistening, pristine pop tunes that are churned out through rock filters giving it a slight gem-encrusted edge.
Garage rockers The Kills drop their first new album since 2016 today with the release of God Games. It’s the gritty, rocking sound you’ve come to expect from the group and hits hard on the scuzz. Bluesy pop rock band Black Pumas have been milking the songs from their debut album for quite some time (they’ve somehow been nominated for Grammy’s for three years in a row despite only releasing the one record), but today they finally drop a new album that will surely be on heavy rotation for late night talk shows for the foreseeable future.
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs make some brutal, heavy, noisy music and in addition to their mouthful of a name, (not a typo, I promise) they put on a pretty killer live show as well. This past spring, the band recorded their set at Manhattan’s le poisson rouge and have turned it into their new live album, aptly titled Live in New York.
It was just this spring that post-punk outfit bar italia released their debut album, but the band is already back with a new album that drops next week. The record’s third single, “worlds greatest emoter,” is another scuzzy track that adds to their raw, stark sound with a charged-up energy showing incredible growth from the still new band.
Doom titans Sunn O))) make pulverizing metal that drones on and on at top volume so to learn they’ve released a 7” single with two songs under six minutes is rather surprising, but even at this shortened length, they conjure up brooding moods that reverberate deep within and when cranked to the appropriate level will leave you feeling sinister and full of power.
Dance-punk has been given a much needed jolt this year and Yard Act keep the feeling going on their grooving new single, “Dream Job,” which is their second song of the year and first from their upcoming sophomore record which is due in March. Also announcing a new album this week is synth-punk and fellow dance lords Future Islands who returned with their new song, “The Tower,” a bright rock track that fuels the hype for their next release.
Never one to pause of slow down, The Alchemist hit us with a solo track this week that features the legend on both production and on the microphone, a fun treat that serves to remind us that his talent is beyond laying down the beats. Also living up to the “sleep when you’re dead” mentality is Glenn Donaldson who shared new tracks as The Reds, Pinks and Purples this week as well including the appropriately named “Dull Panic & Sunday Gloom.”
Albums:
Shabazz Palaces | Robed In Rareness
The Mountain Goats | Jenny From Thebes
Wild Nothing | Hold
The Kills | God Games
Sofia Kourtesis | Madres
Black Pumas | Chronicles Of A Diamond
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs | Live in New York
Sigrid | The Hype EP
Songs:
bar italia | “worlds greatest emoter”
Yard Act | “Dream Job”
Sunn O))) | “Evil Chuck” / “Ron G Warrior”
The Alchemist | “Nothing is Freestyle”
Future Islands | “The Tower”
HEALTH | “ASHAMED”
Charly Bliss | “I Need a Boyfriend”
serpentwithfeet | “Damn Gloves” (ft Ty Dolla $ign and Yanga YaYa)
The Reds, Pinks and Purples | “Dull Panic & Sunday Gloom”
If you’re a Spotify user, you can listen to these songs (and more from 2023) here!
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