Hello good morning and happy Friday!
And we’re in April! Spring feels like it’s here to stay, aren’t we lucky! Just wish I could go out and enjoy the sunshine a bit more.
Lots of albums out today! I’ve been a bit sick last few days so brain is a bit fuzzy, so might have missed some. Not sure where to start with today’s releases, maybe ease myself in with Craig Finn? Quite a few interesting rap albums out today also, and some rowdy ones (looking at you, Jane Remover).
Anyone, let me know if anything caught your fancy! Or whatever it is they say.
Went to see Antony Szmierek last Saturday, which was brilliant. His Pet Shop Boys / The Streets hybrid-like songs are brilliant, and he was extremely charming live - great wholesome banter.
Then I went to see new Brighton band Slag who were fun.
And then I was sick. Woop!
Black Country, New Road
First album from the Cambridge art rock band since singer Isaac Wood left the band in 2022. Produced by James Ford.
5/5 DIY 4.5/5 musicOHM 8/10 Exclaim / Glide 4/5 The Skinny 7/10 Uncut
Marlon Williams
Fourth album from New Zealand singer and his first one with all lyrics in Māori language. Feat. KOMMI and Lorde.
9/10 Clash 7/10 Uncut
Miki Berenyi Trio
Debut album from legendary London shoegaze band Lush. Should kill it on TikTok.
8/10 Record Collector / Uncut / Mojo / Classic Rock 4/5 musicOHM
Craig Finn
Sixth solo album from fantastic (yeah, I'm a fan!) storyteller, Minnesota born, Brooklyn based and The Hold Steady's singer.
8.5/10 Paste 8/10 Uncut / Mojo 7/10 Glide 6/10 PopMatters
Florist
Fifth album from lovely New York minimalist folk quartet.
8.4/10 Northern Transmissions 8/10 Uncut 4/5 Far Out 7.8/10 Paste
Chy Cartier
Debut mixtape from London rapper.
4/5 NME
YT
Fifth mixtape from the Essex rapper.
4/5 NME
Boldy James & V Don
Nineteenth (?) album from the Detroit based Griselda rapper Boldy James, a collab album with Harlem rapper V Don.
2hollis
Fourth album from Chicago electronic-pop-rapper.
4/5 NME 7.4/10 Pitchfork
Sarah Mary Chadwick
Tenth (?) album from the Australian based / New Zealand born heart on sleeve singer-songwriter.
Jane Remover
Third album from the New Jersey musician / producer. Feat. Danny Brown.
Buffet Lunch
Third album from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle art pop band.
5/5 The Skinny
Rachel Chinouriri
New EP from British "indie star".
4/5 NME / DIY / Dork
The Ophelias
Fourth album from Ohio rock band. Produced by Julien Baker.
5/5 The Skinny
Momma
Fourth album from Californian now Brooklyn based indie rock band.
4/5 Rolling Stone / Line of Best Fit 7.5/10 Paste 3.5/5 DIY
Malcolm Todd
Debut album from Los Angeles TikTok viral pop singer.
3.5/5 Rolling stone
Djo
Third album Stranger Things' actor Joe Kerry.
4.5/5 DIY 8/10 Clash 6/10 Uncut / Mojo
Yann Tiersen
Sixteenth (?) album from the French Breton musician and composer.
8/10 Uncut / Mojo / Record Collector
Sleigh Bells
Sixth album from Brooklyn noise pop duo.
3/5 The Skinny
Scowl
Second album from Santa Cruz, California hardcore punk band. Apparently very good live, was meant to see them last year but missed out.
5/5 Dork / Kerrang 8/10 Clash / Distorted Sound 3/5 The Skinny 2/5 Far Out
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs
Fifth album from Newcastle stoner metal band. Feat. Run The Jewels' El-P.
8/10 The Quietus / Uncut 4/5 Kerrang! 3.5/5 DIY
Dustin Wong
New album from guitar looping composer, producer, and guitarist, inspired by a road trip he made with his grandma (who passed away last year) in 2023.
8/10 PopMatters 4/5 The Skinny
Elton John & Brandi Carlile
Not a collab album I was expecting.
8/10 Mojo / Record Collector 7/10 Uncut 3.5/5 Rolling Stone
The Waterboys
Sixteenth album from Mike Scott's London band and centred around the life of Dennis Hopper (!). I once worked in a rehearsal studio where they came in to rehearse, mainly remember that Mike Scott was very grumpy and it was the first time I heard "The whole of the moon". Feat. Fiona Apple, Steve Earle, Barny Fletcher, Taylor Goldsmith, Anana Kaye, Bruce Springsteen, and Sugarfoot.
8/10 Mojo / Uncut 7/10 Clash 2.5/5 musicOHM
Skrillex
Fourth album from the Los Angeles dubstep producer / DJ. 34 tracks / 46 minutes. Feat. Joker, G Jones, Badriia etc etc.
3.5/5 Rolling Stone
Jonathan Johansson
Ninth (?) album from Malmö art pop singer.
4/5 Aftonbladet
Steget
Fourth album from Gothenburg pop duo.
4/5 GP
Destroyer - Have We Met (2020)
Canadian singer Daniel Bejar’s album from last week is pretty great (need to listen to it more), but it mainly made me revisit his masterpiece from 2020.
Nice colours / composition!
I like the CocoRosie, Sacred Paws, Lil Nas X albums released last week and I’m still listening to the latest ones from Weatherday and Jason Isbell released earlier in the month.
I also made it through the whole new album from Will Smith, it was very bad.
I’ve given up long ago trying to get anyone who doesn’t speak Swedish to listen to Swedish music with Swedish lyrics (except Dina Ögon) but I will recommend Swedish instrumental music onto anyone I can, it’s got its own sound and scene going, quite melodic and piano driven. Here are 10 examples for you!
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Have a lovely weekend and chill out!
Simon