Oregon – New Music Jason’s Picks

The New Music I’m Listening To In Copious Amounts This Week, April 13 – 19, 2024:

Good day to one and all! I hope everyone is feeling fine, and in the mood for some grand New Music.

I’ve found nine titles to share with you this week, so let’s dive in!

One of my favourite musicians around these days is Melbourne’s Billiam. I’ve been with the “Autism-core” Artist through a string of EPs and also his debut full-length back in September. He’s back with a new single. Where is Jackson Reid Briggs? opens with riffing guitars and fiery drums leading into Billy’s frenetic vocals. The B-side is a raucous cover of Shove’s Shane.

*Billiam – Where Is Jackson Reid Briggs?*

A musician and producer from Antwerp called Youniss has just released a new EP. Do We Try Beyond The Edge? is noisy Hip-Hop with skittish beats, aggressive sampling and anxious rhymes.

Kiran Leonard is an esoteric Singer-Songwriter from England with a whimsical kitchen-sink approach to his sound. His new album, Real Home, includes thirteen musicians and vocalists to create a Chamber Pop atmosphere. Leonard’s voice is captivating and strong.

I am an unabashed Beatles nerd. They were my introduction to mind-expanding sounds, and I know that they continue to inspire new Artists, even some fifty or so years later. Case in point is the new compilation record from Ohio label Burnt-Up Records. Featuring twenty-two DJs and Producers including Chill da God, Chef Mike and Busfoot, Strawberry Phillies Forever-The $4.20 Tape Vol III takes sneaky samples of the Fab Four, chopping them up, and reimagining them as Hip-Hop.

*v/a – Strawberry Phillies Forever-The $4.20 Tape Vol III*

Dust Raps The Blues is an MC from Portland, Oregon who released an album last April that I recommended. He’s back again, this time in collaboration with Producer Sxlxmxn. The Dust And Sxlxmxn Album is eleven tracks of laid back Hip-Hop with a Blues soul.

*Dust Raps The Blues – The Dust and Sxlxmxn Album*

You would think, with it being the home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame that Cleveland would be a hotbed for great new bands. Sadly, that isn’t the case, but I have found one band that is picking up the slack. Cloud Nothings are a three-piece that have been active for fifteen years or so. Their latest album, Final Summer, employs post-Grunge distortion with a carefully-crafted Pop aesthetic.

Somewhere that never disappoints with a plethora of exciting new bands is Melbourne, Australia. Dr. Sure’s Unusual Practice is a Synth Punk quintet, and their latest record is Total Reality. With a full sound that includes horns and percussion, the album is replete with intriguing twists and catchy riffs.

*Dr. Sure’s Unusual Practice – Total Reality*

A band from Greece has gotten my attention with their debut album. Tiffany is a snappy Punk ensemble, and i – EYE has the mosh pit cooking. Major adrenaline injection, with an oddball inflection.

Defiance in the face of prejudice in the pursuit of joy is such a rich and powerful stance in Music. Queer Experimental Punk Band Ekko Astral has released one of the finest albums of the year thus far, and it contains this ethos in full effect. The DC quintet’s debut full-length pink balloons comes for the throat. Led by founder and vocalist Jael Holzman, the group has created an album to experience in full. Smart and endearing lyrics, and sharp instrumentation that embraces odd leaps. And rocks. My Feature Pick for this week.

Here’s hoping you found something that brought some joy to your life. I hope I was able to help!

Take care of yourself!

The New Music I’m Listening To Extraneously This Week, March 16 – 22, 2024:

Greetings and smellutations, cats and kittens! Hoo boy, we gots ourselves a humdinger of a New Release week, and I have twelve titles to dazzle your senses. Do it to it!

I’ve got a dancefloor filler from Brazil to start the week. A single released in conjunction with London’s Jazz Room Records features a terrific band performing Brazilian Funk. The two tracks on Goma Laca EP are performed by Afrobrasilidades. They are led by the amazing Juçara Marçal on vocals, who released my favourite album of 2021, Delta Estácio Blues. You gotta get up to get down!

And then, as if on cue, there’s a new remix album for Juçara Marçal’s Delta Estácio Blues. Fifteen tracks, taken from the original album and the follow-up EPDEB are included on DEBRMX. Remixes from the likes of Chrisman, Moor Mother, and VHOOR are giving the dancefloor a workout.

Eagle-eyed readers will note that the Juçara Marçal remix album actually came out last week. It is literally impossible to find everything that comes out in a given week, so I’ve given myself parameters within which to search for New Music. One such parameter is that once I have entered a new Release Week, I don’t include titles that came out previously in my search. Seeing as I’ve already broken that rule this week, I’ve decided to double down on it.

Another title that came out last week comes from Portugal. Ana Lua Caiano is a multi-instrumentalist and Electronic Producer. Her debut album, Vou Ficar Neste Quadrado sees the Artist incorporating traditional Folk elements with ambitious Björk-inspired Production. Charming harmonies, and yet another reason for me to continue my Portuguese lessons.

*Ana Lua Caiano – Vou Ficar Neste Quadrado*

Glass Beams is a trio from Melbourne, Australia that was founded by Rajan Silva, who immigrated to Australia with his family as a child. Ninja Tune Records has just released their second album, Mahal. Steeped in Psychedelia, it incorporates traditional instrumentation with soulful grooves.

An Artist I’ve grown fond of over these past few years exploring New Music is London Percussionist and Composer Valentina Magaletti. Between her various collaborations (Vanishing Twin, Holy Tongue, and more) and her solo work, she transcends norms on the regular. Her latest is LUCHA LIBRE; a four-song EP that takes a disorienting journey of Field Recordings and loops, before closing with the upbeat and groovy DRUM JUMP.

A noisy Punk band representing the Wyoming Hardcore scene released a “sneeze-and-you-miss-it” EP. AWFUL’s 4 SONGS clocks in at less than four minutes. It’s a sharp jolt of energy, with urgent vocals and ripping bass play.

At twelve minutes, this next release is practically luxurious in its scope by comparison. Portland’s THE CELEBRITIES is a collaboration between Joe Sussman and Kel Mason. On the seven-song Redd Karpet they channel 60’s Bubblegum with gritty garage production.

A duo from the Washington, DC area got my attention this week with their latest release. model home utilizes samplers, tape and voice to create a deliciously lo-fi atmosphere. The six tracks on NECROLYF were recorded on March 5 of this year and elicit a rudimentary Hip-Hop vibe, seeped in distortion.

Scott Harren is an eclectic and innovative Electronic Producer from Miami. As Prefuse 73, he has collaborated with the likes of Mos Def and Aesop Rock. His new album, New Strategies For Modern Crime Vol. 1 is a strictly solo effort with an evocative Cool Jazz feel for the After Party.

*Prefuse 73 – New Strategies For Modern Crime Vol. 1*

An Electronic band from Sweden released their fourth album since their 2014 debut. Les Big Byrd is led by Jocke Åhlund, and Diamonds, Rhinestones and Hard Rain contains six tracks, including two extended jams. Entrancing and absorbing.

*Les Big Byrd – Diamonds, Rhinestones and Hard Rain*

I discovered Julia Holter via the pre-release single Sun Girl for her new album. Turns out that Something In The Room She Moves is her sixth album for the LA native, and I just haven’t been paying attention. I’ve been captivated by her sweeping vocals and captivating Production.

*Julia Holter – Something In The Room She Moves*

If you’ve seen recent photos or video taken in Gary, Indiana, you’d be forgiven if you got the impression that it is a Ghost Town. Abandoned factories and houses dot the landscape. However, there is still life emanating from that particular slice of America. Jerrilynn Patton performs as Jlin, and is a Composer and Electronic Producer (and former steel factory worker). Her latest album is Akoma. Intriguing rhythm-play is at work here, with Deep Bass and many twists and turns. Guests include Björk, Philip Glass, and Kronos Quartet. It’s my Feature Pick for this week.

If you made it this far, look under your chair, you’ve won a prize! I’m only joking, but if you looked, I have to say that I worry about you sometimes.

Take care of yourself!

The New Music I’m Listening To Expeditiously This Week, February 10 – 16, 2024:

Good day to you and yours. I hope your sky is bright and sunny, and the winds are quiet enough to enjoy some New Music with me. It truly is a big week in releases, and I have twelve titles to recommend. Hopefully you can find something that clicks with you!

If you had “Beyoncé releases a Country Album” on your 2024 Bingo Card, congratulations. It comes out at the end of March. She released two teaser singles this week, and I’d like to draw your attention to 16 CARRIAGES. It’s a track that begins tenderly, giving Bey a chance to demonstrate her perfect vocal control, as it grows in intensity. It piques my interest for an Artist who is still showing all her tricks.

Beyoncé – 16 CARRIAGES

If you’re a regular reader of my words, you may know that I’m a big fan of Brooklyn MC Homeboy Sandman. His flow tickles my neuroreceptors, and I’m down for anything he releases. On the weekend he put out a new single. How is it? Real Good.

This next single blew my tiny little mind. Fatboi Sharif is an MC from New Jersey, and there are bars on Something About Shirley. Solid bars. But it is the production work of Roper Williams on this ten-minute track that verges on Avant Garde audio collage. At time’s unsettling, others exhilarating. Smoke a bowl and immerse yourself.

*Fatboi Sharif & Roper Williams – Something About Shirley*

Portland, Oregon has long been a Sanctuary City for artistic misfits. It is, not coincidentally, the home of Electronic Producer and Vocalist abbymachines. Her latest EP, AB, is SynthPop and Dance, with Spanish and English vocals. Do you wanna ride with me is filling the dancefloor in My Imaginary Nightclub.

The dancefloor is full and it is getting sweaty for a DJ and Producer from Buenos Aires, Colombia. Carlos Quebrada performs as Genosidra. His latest album, Haxan Tek, is seven instrumental tracks of unique beats and turnarounds, keeping your ears flexing and your body moving.

Mohammad Syfkhan is a Kurdish/Syrian Singer and Bouzouki player who lives in Ireland. His new album, I Am Kurdish is uptempo and joyful, and designed for dancing and celebration. Masterful musicianship.

Nathalie Joachim is a Brooklyn-born Haitian-American and is also a flutist, composer and vocalist. On Ki moun ou ye her vibrant voice is joined by drums and electronics, along with strings to create a rich tapestry.

Irish Producer Jacknife Lee has a knack for choosing interesting Artists to work with. This week finds him at the helm of a new record from a female quartet from Mali called Les Amazones d’Afrique. The two entities combine the traditional vocals with Electronic beats on Musow Dance. Exhilarating.

A bizarro Country singer from Montreal got my attention back in November, and he’s already returned with a new collaboration. On Tandoori Knights, Bloodshot Bill is joined by fellow Underground legend King Khan. Classic Rock & Roll and Rockabilly with universal themes such as the love of bacon and soiling one’s pants. Does humor belong in Music? Only if it’s funny.

*Bloodshot Bill & King Khan – Tandoori Knights*

Detroit, Michigan is thriving, with multiple Music Scenes creating a vibrant Arts community. One band that is bubbling up and due their flowers is the three-piece Shadow Show. Their second album, Fantasy Now!, is a shiny self-produced collection of Garage Pop, bright harmonies and bubblegum hooks.

I’ve mentioned before that there is a genre of Music out of the UK that’s like to call “Lad Rock.” It features a frontman that talk-sings the woes of living in Post-Brexit England. It’s quite catchy if done well, but it’s a little One Note. One such band is Bristol’s IDLES, and on their new album TANGK, there is notable growth from the tired old tropes. Perhaps co-production from Nigel Godrich helped broaden the aural tapestry. Vocalist Joe Talbot has definitely grown nuance and depth to his delivery; less geezer, more singer. Solid.

Deep Search Collective is an assemblage of Artists in San Francisco, California. Among them is Poet and MC Jun Dax aka Quiet. She’s released her debut album, The Ten Doors Of February, and it is a gem of a release. Throughout the ten tracks Dax drops confident and thoughtful rhymes, with brilliant downtempo production from JusOneOh. Recommended if you like A Tribe Called Quest or Digable Planets. It hits the heart hard, and is my Feature Pick this week.

I should mention that I have been posting New Music as I find it throughout the week on BlueSky, and now that it’s open to all, you can find me at New Music Jason. Maybe I’ll see you there. Say hi!

The New Music I’m Listening To In Spite Of It All This Week, July 22 – 28, 2023:

It has been a challenging week, dear friends. I took a tumble down the stairs on Tuesday and landed hard on my back. Unfortunately we had to cancel our trip to Niagara Falls, because I can’t bounce back the way I used to, and have had to rest. I’ll be good to go for this weekend’s Hillside Festival, even if I have to crawl.

I’ve been able to find eight titles to share with all of you. Dig it!

I have two singles to start the week’s recommendations. The first comes courtesy of Brainfeeder Records, the label headed up by Flying Lotus (Steven Ellison). Hakushi Hasegawa is a Singer/Songwriter and Musician based in Tokyo. Her sound on Mouth Flash (Kuchinohanabi) is based comfortably beyond the boundaries of genre, toiling outside of Dance idioms, incorporating dissonant Noise at a frenetic pace.

Hakushi Hasagawa – Mouth Flash (Kuchinohanabi)

The next single comes from a Producer, also from Tokyo, that goes by ILLGENIC RECORDS. Their latest, Sanctuary, is a leftfield House track with skittish beats and hearty bass.

I’m excited to introduce an Artist from Macedonia for the first time. NOT_MDK is a DJ and Producer who works with Classical instrumentation and Breakbeats. Hi-Tech Soul is a perfect four-track EP for “Back To Mine” after a night out at My Imaginary Nightclub.

An Electronic Producer from Portland, Oregon is currently spinning midtempo electro-soul in the Pre-Party Room at My Imaginary Nightclub. While listening to devonwho’s Amalgama I we shall do several rails of Imaginary Cocaine and talk about shit that we’ve never done, before heading to the Main Room to show off our newly-discovered dancing skills.

A DJ and Producer from Cairo has just released her debut album. El Kontessa الكونتيسة has high-energy bops on her seven-track Nos Habet Caramel | نص حبة كراميل that are burning up the dancefloor in the Main Room.

*El Kontessa* الكونتيسة *– Nos Habet Caramel |* نص حبة كراميل

An Artist from Bristol known simply as Carnivorous Plants, who I have written about previously, has returned to my life. And From That Moment Hell Entered My Heart is a thirteen-track album of Ambient Noise and Cut-Ups. Droning guitars and White Noise create a mental tapestry that is engaging and surprising.

*Carnivorous Plants – And From That Moment Hell Entered My Heart*

A Hip-Hop group from Melbourne that has been recording since 2016 has released a new album. Too Birds is made up of two MC’s known as Teether and Realname, and Producer Mr. Society. SOUL OF TOO BIRDS has excellent Production, always interesting, with varied dynamics and clever stops and starts. The rappers have engaging voices and snazzy wordplay.

My Feature Pick for this week comes from a seventy eight year-old Canadian transplant. Beverly Glenn-Copeland was born in Pennsylvania, but has spent most of his life in Canada, and currently resides in New Brunswick. Canadians of a certain age may remember him back when he used to appear on the CBC Children’s TV Show Mr. Dressup. He has just released his first album in over twenty years. The Ones Ahead is a life-affirming testament to bravery in the face of hardship.

*Beverly Glenn-Copeland – The Ones Ahead*

Thanks for checking in! Hope you found something that gives you joy. I’ll talk to you again soon. Take care of yourself!

The New Music To Which I’m Listening With Perfect Grammar This Week, April 22 – 28, 2023:

Perfect Grammar is, of course, the name of My Imaginary Parakeet.

A lovely Friday to you and yours, friends! We’ve got a whole basketful of New Releases to wade through. I’ve got ten titles to share with you for your listening pleasure. Dig it!

A single to start the week came in the wake of the passing of Barry Humphries, who was better known as the Original Queen of Drag, Dame Edna Everage. Australian One-Man Band Alien Nosejob has lovingly recreated the Dame’s 1978 attempt at a hit Punk single, S&M Lady, adding a couple of “Possums” in for good measure.

I discovered a group from Iceland a few years ago called Pascal Pinon that had some great songs. They are no longer active, but their singer and songwriter Jófriour Ákadóttir is still recording, now as JFDR. Her latest album, Museum is dark and dreamy.

An Experimental Electronic project based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam grabbed my attention this week. Rắn Cạp Đuôi Collective is led by Zach Sch, and their second album, *1 is nine tracks of glitchy beats and curious samples, with synthy meanderings.

Just over a year ago I called Spanish quartet La Culpa’s self-titled debut album a “winner.” They have returned this week with their sophomore effort. Cuando Amanece continues to explore the parameters of driving rhythm guitar-based Rock. Taking the lead of innovative bands like The Pixies and U2, they are putting their unique and exciting stamp on Modern Rock.

Cosmo Sheldrake is a multi-instrumentalist and composer from London that I mentioned on Tuesday as having made one of my favourite albums of 2020. His new EP, Wild Wet World, incorporates the sounds of aquatic life in the seven compositions. I wish it featured more of Sheldrake’s vocals, like the first track, Bathed In Sound, but it is beautiful all the same.

A couple of Hip-Hop albums improved my mid-week. The first came from Portland MC and Producer who calls himself Dust Raps The Blues. His second album Problems is couched in classic Blues samples and sharp production. Dust truly raps The Blues.

The second one that came out on Wednesday was recorded “deep in the swamps of South Carolina.” Kill Bill: The Rapper has released his eighth album, and FULLMETAL KAIJU is a showcase for Bill’s lyrical flow. Featuring a slew of Producers, it is adventurous downtempo gold.

*Kill Bill: The Rapper – FULLMETAL KAIJU*

The Hip-Hop continued with the release of YUNGMORPHEUS’ new album, From Whence It Came. Nineteen tracks with multiple producers, including Raphy and Ohbliv. Featured guests include Fly Anakin and Jimetta Rose.

Brazil features predominantly in my findings this week. The progeny of a Samba songwriter, Domenico Lancellotti is a musician from Rio de Janeiro. His latest album sramba showcases his skillful guitar work and synth prowess.

My Feature Pick this week is from eighty year-old Jards Macalé. Macalé made a name for himself in the sixties as a songwriter, before venturing on his own and adding to the Brazilian Tropicalia movement. His latest album Coração Bifurcado spotlights his droll and refined delivery, to glorious backup vocals, shimmering synths and tasty guitar.

I love all of you, and I hope you are finding your joy. Don’t forget to try to spread it to others. Take care!