A great and grand hello to each and all of you! I hope you’ve got your listening ears on, for I have found nine new titles to share with you. Dig it!
I’m so amazed at the development of Thom Yorke as an Artist. From being the mopey frontman of Radiohead, through his Electronic experimentation both with the band and on his own, and now as a Composer for film. His latest project is Music for an Italian film. Confidenza is a Drama, based on a novel written by Domenico Starnone. Yorke’s Soundtrack was created with the participation of the London Contemporary Orchestra, and his drummer from The Smile, Tom Skinner. It is ponderous and gripping.
Miranda Winters is known as the vocalist from Chicago’s Melkbelly. After quietly making her own material, she has assembled a quartet and christened it Mandy. The material on Lawn Girl has been years in gestation and it is a confident debut in a noisy, yet melodic mode that conjures Liz Phair and The Breeders.
Busted Head Racket is an Artist that Newcastle, Australia’s Arden Guff started as a solo bedroom project that has become a trio. They recently spent time opening for Snööper on their Australian tour. Their third album, Go! Go! Go!, is urgently uptempo, with retro synth and plundering bass.
A few hours south of Newcastle puts you in the heart of Melbourne, which is bursting with New Music. Parsnip is a four-piece Rock group that incorporates saxophone, slide guitar and Hammond organ alongside charming harmonies on their second album, Behold.
Leeds, in the North of England, has become the latest hotbed for exciting new music in the UK. Yard Act and English Teacher are only two examples of the vast scene. On the Trip-Hop tip we have Locust Toybox. It is the solo project of producer and animator David Firth, and his latest album, Pleased To Be Eaten, is upbeat and Ambient, and is a head-nodder.
Someday I’ll make it to Brazil. There’s something about the culture and the music that is calling me. An Artist that I have previously recommended from Belo Horizonte is back again with a new album. VHOOR is a 26 year-old DJ and Producer that is firing up the dancefloor at My Imaginary Nightclub. Resenha is loaded with catchy beats and magical ear worms.
Jane Paknia is a Singer-Songwriter from New York who dwells in the land of dreamy SynthPop. Her debut album, Orchid Underneath is replete with lush bass and warm breathy vocals and just enough quirk to get by.
Deerhoof is a band I’ve only just started listening to, despite their being active for over thirty years. Their mainly Japanese-language album Miracle-Level that came out last year was my entree. Greg Saunier is a Composer, and is the drummer for Deerhoof. He has just released his first solo album. We Sang, Therefore We Were is a Psych-Rock journey with steps in Country, New Wave and Prog. Adventurous and fun.
My Feature Pick for this week comes from a Poet and Musician from North Carolina. Shirlette Ammons shows off her soul on Spectacles. The eleven tracks run through Funk grooves, Hip-Hop and Pop elements. Ammons’ lyrics bring you into the life of a queer Black Woman with emotional resonance.
Did that hit the spot? It really has been a strong year for New Music, don’t you think? And there is no end in sight. I’m glad to have you with me on the journey.
Take care of yourself!
New Music Jason’s Picks 