Greetings, friends! I hope you’ve had a lovely week, and your weekend awaits. Time to relax and , if I may be so bold, listen to my New Release recommendations. I have eight new titles to place gently in your ear holes. Just sit still for a minute. New Music Jason wants you to feel comfortable while he does his thing.
Back in September I recommended the solo bedroom project from Australia called Billiam. This fun and energetic Lo-Fi Punk Artist from Melbourne has followed up with a five-track EP. Jump To 3D makes jaunty use of synths, with Billy’s enigmatically warbled voice.
There’s something to be said for finding your place in the world; being somewhere with the contentedness of “Home”. I’m not sure if it’s the easiest fodder for interesting Music, but UK Artist Alexander R. Cargill Esq. has risen to the challenge. His new album, WF 85 – Bromham, is a collection of the sites and stories of a bucolic village in the Southwest of England, which is not too far from Stonehenge. With the use of Field Recordings, samples, and analog equipment and guitars, Cargill brings the sleepy village, “famous for its Market Garden,” to life.
One of the most consistent high-quality Jazz labels is based in Chicago, and has introduced me to a lot along great artists. International Anthem has just released a new international collaboration between Australia-based Ariel Kalma and Jeremiah Chiu & Marta Sofia, who are from Los Angeles. The Closest Thing To Silence began as an introduction from BBC Radio 3 to Kalma to choose an artist they hadn’t work with before, and create 20 minutes of new music. The initial sessions went so well, with pulsating Electronics and woodwinds, they decided to extend the sessions into this full-length. Atmospheric and positive.
I picked up a dual release from a mini-label out of New York this week. Batch #1 begins with Koltun, the solo project of Mickey Coltun, who is a member of Mdou Moctar. Steeped in Jewish folklore and melodies, it has a movie-score vibe to it. The second album is from Coltun’s bandmates Abdoulaye & Ahmoudou Madassane. Alkaline is trance-inducing Tuareg guitar and near-whisper vocals.
My favourite label from Poland came through again this week. Syf Records has put out a new EP from Szczecin native Łajza. Adventurous and boppy, S/T comes out you with amphetamine-fuelled energy throughout the four tracks.
Based on my next two recommendations, the women of London are tearing it up. I have a duo called Grazia that has just released their debut EP. In Poor Taste is shimmery Pop, the use of unison vocals gives the four tracks a unique hue.
I mentioned on Tuesday that the UK Music Press is stirring up excitement for the debut album of The Last Dinner Party. I’m pleased to say that Prelude To Ecstasy is worth the hype. The quintet has created a beautiful piece of Theatrical ArtPop, fronted by the majestic vocals of Abigail Morris.
My Feature Pick for this week comes a Percussionist and Composer based in Brooklyn. Ches Smith has compiled a large group of musicians, and with Laugh Ash, he has created an Experimental Wonder that incorporates Electronics, horns, strings and vocals. It is big, beautiful, and bound to tickle your senses.
See? That didn’t hurt a bit. And maybe, just maybe, you liked it? Yeah, you liked it!
Take care of yourself!
New Music Jason’s Picks 
These songs from the Koltun/Abdoulaye & Ahmoudou batch are brilliant. Just bought the duo. Thanks for the tip!
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