Things have cooled down on the East Coast and the change of the seasons is starting to feel real. To usher in autumn, ‘90s indie rock makes a big splash this week with Built to Spill and The Afghan Whigs both dropping new, guitar-heavy albums. For Built to Spill, this is their first new album of original material in seven years and the Whigs are back as part of their elongated reunion with some scorching new tunes as well. Both bands are indie titans and both releases are set to make for solid rock albums and some of the best guitar-based music of the year.
Elsewhere, Oliver Sim of the xx makes his debut as a solo performer with his new album, Hideous Bastard (although bandmate Jaime xx handles production duties). A deeply personal and revealing album, it takes on smoldering electronics with a true sense of purpose. Sudan Archives’ new record, Natural Brown Prom Queen, is out today too, as is the latest from brooding post-punks Preoccupations.
International Anthem culled from home recording sessions from the late Charles Stepney to release a record called Step on Step. The twenty-three tracks were all written and composed by Stepney and have never been heard or played by anyone else, making this their collective debut.
Last week, Björk announced her new album, Fossora, launched the first three episodes of her new podcast where she details each of her solo records, and this week she shared “Atopos,” her new lead single. It’s a deep, bass-heavy track featuring skittering percussion and clarinets. It’s her new era, inspired by mushrooms and shelter-in-place style raves.
Synth-pop killers Phoenix announced their seventh album, and first in five years, along with a new track called “Tonight” which features Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig on guest vocals (the first time they’ve had someone else sing on one of their tracks). It’s a catchy throwback to the mid-aughts, but still gives off the band’s casual timeless chic attitude.
It’s not often you get to write about jazz drummers, but this week saw new tracks from two of the best in the game. Tom Skinner, previously of Sons of Kemet and currently of The Smile, announced his first album under his own name and shared the free-jazzy “Bishara.” Makaya McCraven dropped the third single from his upcoming record, a slower tune that still showcases McCraven’s ahead-of-the-beat style in a playful arrangement.
Ambient legend Brian Eno has a new record on the way, but this time around it prominently features vocals. “We Let It In” is the latest example of this template from Eno and while the lyrics are a new element, his usual ethereal vibe remains intact. Blood Orange hasn’t released a new album since 2019, but next week he’ll drop a new EP of all new tracks and “Jesus Freak Lighter” is our first taste. He’s been opening for Harry Styles on his run of fifteen shows at MSG and been bringing out some cool guests along the way so it’ll be exciting to hear how this experience has shaped his sound.
Wednesday signed with Dead Oceans and released the sprawling “Bull Believer.” An absolute monster of a track, it’s filled with trudging guitar riffs and wicked howls that make it wickedly punishing and full of fiery passion. Beth Orton dropped another new single from her upcoming album, her first in six years, this week and it features saxophonist Alabaster DePlume whose record GOLD is one of the best jazz albums of the year.
Finally, in what could be a great new trend following Elton’s collaborations with Dua Lipa and Britney Spears, Dolly Parton has teamed up with Kelly Clarkson for an updated rendition of her eternal classic “9 tp 5.'“
Albums:
Built To Spill | When The Wind Forgets Your Name
The Afghan Whigs | How Do You Burn?
Oliver Sim | Hideous Bastard
Jockstrap | I Love You Jennifer B
Santigold | Spirituals
Preoccupations | Arrangements
Sudan Archives | Natural Brown Prom Queen
Charles Stepney | Step on Step
Songs:
Björk | “Atopos”
Phoenix | “Tonight” (ft Ezra Koenig)
Tom Skinner | “Bishara”
Makaya McCraven | “The Fours”
The Comet Is Coming | “TECHNICOLOUR”
Brian Eno | “We Let It In”
Wednesday | “Bull Believer”
Bonobo | “ATK”
Dry Cleaning | “Gary Ashby”
Blood Orange | “Jesus Freak Lighter”
Hyd | “So Clear”
Alex G | “Miracles”
Beth Orton | “Fractals”
Deerhoof | “My Lovely Cat!”
Winter | “good” (ft SASAMI)
Dolly Parton / Kelly Clarkson | “9 to 5”
If you’re a Spotify user, you can listen to these songs (and more from 2022) here!