I warned y’all that we had a bustling New Release Week in our stead. I have a smorgasbord of New Music to put in front of you for your edification.
Twelve titles in all, though a few of them are of the single or EP sort, so not as big an investment of time as one might suspect. Strap up!
I discovered something this week that isn’t New Music, but gave me more joy than anything I’ve experienced in quite a long time. I heard of this App called Be My Eyes and when I heard what it was, I downloaded it immediately. How it works is, if you’re vision-impaired and require help navigating a situation (reading a label, shopping etc.), you can place a camera-phone call through the app, and a volunteer, who is sighted, will pick up and assist them. Currently there are about 600,000 people who use this service, and about 7 million volunteer helpers. With these numbers, I wondered if I’d ever receive a call, but not 24 hours later, I received my first call. It was Karen from the West Coast of Canada, who is Diabetic, and needed assistance setting her insulin IV. With a little work, I was able to make sure she was putting the monitor where I could read it, and help her with that very basic task. So easy for me, but what a rush of adrenaline. I’m going to float on this for days.
To start off this week’s findings, Kassa Overall is a renowned Drummer, Producer and MC from Seattle. He’s achieved a modicum of notoriety and acclaim, but on his latest single, 2 Sentimental, Kassa laments, “I’m backstage with my eyes on the free snacks. I brought some Ziplocs, ‘cause I’ma need that.” He paints a glum picture of the reality of the life of a working artist, over Guaraldi-esque Piano lines, “hoping I get my advance before I get evicted.” Excellent, honest Wordplay.
On Tuesday, Detroit’s finest MC Danny Brown (fight me, Marshall!) announced his new album, Quaranta, which is due for release in mid-November. He’s teased it with his new single, Tantor. The idiosyncratic track begins with the sound of someone dialing into Cable Internet, like it’s 1997. As you’re connected, the bass-and-drum groove begins immediately, with Danny’s instantly recognizable voice chirping in, with enigmatic effect. Check!
Another single that knocked my socks off comes from the almighty Ninja Tune Records, and Electronic wunderkind Floating Points. The Artist’s (name: Sam Shepherd) new song Birth4000 has been making Summer Festivals, including Glastonbury bounce in unison. Beginning with harsh Electronic Noise it finds finds its latitude, like early Moog patches. Soaring Synths join before dissolving with disembodied handclap into THE DROP. Hope you brought your glow sticks!
It’s not often that I find New Music from Bulgaria, and I have no clue what qualifies as Popular Bulgarian Music in Bulgaria. What qualifies as Popular Bulgarian Music in my house is a new collaboration between friends. Abu Ama and BedouinDrone have recorded together before, and there is a sophisticated easiness to Dalwat Lībiyyā. Ethnic Tribal samples ring out among the pounding beats and thunderous bass on the seven tracks. My Imaginary Nightclub is in negotiations for an extended stay in The Main Room.
In fact I’ve been looking at many Artists vying for time in The Imaginary Main Room. Lots of Electronic Dance Music on this very busy release week. Next up is an Artist from France that I first discovered early last year. Julien Chastagnol is Ruby My Dear, and he’s released a new four-song EP. Lst is energetic Breakbeats paired with piano arpeggios and distortion. It’s a very distinctive path he has forged for himself, and I, for one, approve.
A DJ and Producer from Georgia in the Southern US first caught my attention last year with her “beet tape.” She has been releasing Music steadily since then,and I’m happy to bring to your attention her new mixtape. i used to cry about it first gets your attention with an evocative photograph of a young boy, looking like he is holding a handgun for the first time in his life. quinn’s music contained within is just as evocative. Twisted beats and screwed samples make for some uneasy listening.
A label from Uganda called Nyege Nyege Tapes has been releasing consistently unique and dazzling Electronic Music. This week it’s the debut album from “punk ethnomusicologist” Julien Hairon. As Judgitzu, he is exploring his Celtic heritage, and its relation to Tanzanian Dance Music. Sator Arepo is dark and energetic, with thundering bass and field recordings used in looping fashion.
For some reason that I can’t quite fathom I find myself drawn to the many different musical styles out of Brazil. Continuing that trend this week. is Txana Reu Keneya. They are a group of “guardians and messengers of the Amazon Forest,” and of the Hunikuin Indigenous Peoples. Their five-song self-titled album is simply strummed strings, drums and unison voices. There is a plaintive sense of sadness in their gorgeous melodies.
I don’t know about you, but I feel like I’m lacking in the essential nutrients that Rock Music provides. A band led by Vancouver multi-instrumentalist Patrick McEachnie has just released a new EP via German label Turbo Discos. On their new 7”, Pack Rat takes the raw energy of Garage or shouty Punk with Poppy choruses among the four tracks of BITE MY TONGUE. Yes, this should do just fine.
A band that has been getting a lot of buzz currently in the UK (or maybe it’s just the NME being its usual blathering self) is HotWax. The trio from Hastings is finely tuned, with smoking bass, fierce guitar, and snarling vocals on their second EP Invite me, kindly. I love Grrl Gang Rock.
Wanna get weird? Let’s get weird. I’ve found a fantastically fucked-up One-Man Band. Brian Chippendale is the mastermind behind Black Pus. The musician from Providence, RI uses drums, harsh electronics and furious babbling on IMPROVISED CURSES. It’s fist pumping, life affirming anarchy.
Back in June I heard a track that I, of course, recommended, from London’s Sampha, and I’ve been singing it around the house ever since. The Mercury Prize-winning vocalist (not me) has returned with his new full-length. I fell in love with Sampha’s rich baritone, and the Production on Lahai that is just as rich. Sampha’s voice soars with confident falsetto, and plenty of heart. My Feature Pick for the week.
It’s a lot, I know. And I couldn’t be happier about it. How about you?
Be kind to yourself!
New Music Jason’s Picks 