NEW ADDS: Xiu Xiu, Pharoah Sanders, & more!
Xiu Xiu - OH NO
For their twelfth studio album, Xiu Xiu recruits over a dozen indie artists to complement frontman Jamie Stewart’s dystopian drawl. While the lyrics on OH NO are less abrasive than on previous records, the sonic landscape compensates with an experimental sound equal parts art pop and indie rock.
Despite being inspired by isolation and having a generally melancholy mood, the record’s duets instill a message on the values of friendship while underlining the importance of individuality. And yet, the individual track aesthetics are highly variant: stretching from the absurd pastiche of “Rumpus Room” replete with references to Flaming Hot Cheetos and Fuego Takis to “Goodbye for Good,” whose opening lyrics declare that “the world doesn’t need you” before continuing to explain the ways in which plants are plotting our demise to the tune of glitched out guitars.
The secret weapon of OH NO is ultimately the way that Stewart is able to incorporate unlikely duets into his own distinct style. His vocals find unlikely complements in Sharon Van Etton on “Sad Mezcalita” and Chelsea Wolfe on “One Hundred Years.” OH NO manages to be one of the most palatable Xiu Xiu records to date without comprising the band’s artistic vision, making it a great starting point for the aspiring fan.
- Barbara Rasin, Music Director
RIYL: Swans, Mount Eerie, Lingua Ignota
Recommended Tracks: 1, 6, 9
FCC: Clean
Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders, & the London Symphony Orchestra - Promises
Rising electronic composer Sam Shepherd, known as Floating Points, and spiritual jazz stalwart Pharoah Sanders have come together with the London Symphonic Orchestra to bring about Promises. Shepherd takes on the role of creative lead, and provides a frame for Sanders and the LSO to fill in with their experience and expertise. The album bustles with wonder and beauty due to the sense of respect and restraint that Shepherd exhibits towards his collaborators. The structure of the music may appear repetitive to many listeners, but I feel that these songs should be approached as something to be more than just heard. Promises bridges the gaps between genres, generations, race, and class and serves as a gorgeous reminder of music’s power to bring us together no matter our differences.
Although Promises plays as one long song, the album is split into nine “movements” that each have their own subtly different identities. A seven note motif buoys all but the last movements, and between cycles we are graced by Sanders’ tenor saxophone, scatting, and the LSO string section. The stand out tracks to me are Movements 1, 6, and 7, due to their more drawn out and exploratory natures. “Movement 1” opens with a moment of silence before we are introduced to Shepherd’s motif, and for the remainder of the track a tender interplay between Sanders, Shepherd, and the LSO sets the stage for the rest of the album. Moving forward to the climax of the piece, “Movement 6” is ironically where Shepherd and Sanders seem to have the least amount of influence. In this track the LSO provides breathtaking strings that rise, fall, and transport the listener to wherever they imagine beauty lies. “Movement 7” is the most free spirited song, and is where Shepherd finally gets to show off his synths in conjunction with Sanders who plays in a way that calls back to his glory days in the ’60s and ’70s.
While Promises flourishes in its restraint, by the end I do feel it heads towards a slightly unnecessary level of self indulgence. Movement’s 8 and 9 do little for me in the way of emotional impact, and after forty minutes of the same motif it feels a bit overdone. Ending with “Movement 6” and moving “Movement 7” earlier in the album would create a more interesting flow and stronger finish that allows the music to end on its highest note. The highs of this album far and away outweigh the lows though, and anyone who needs music that is both warm and meditative should give this a listen.
- Nick Calahan, DJ
RIYL: Steve Reich, Harold Budd
Recommended Tracks: 1, 6, 7
FCC: Clean
Tavo Sera - Always
Tavo Sera is a singer songwriter guitarist. He has played with several bands and appeared on television with the band BRONZE. His love for music started early when he would listen to his uncle Rene sing and play guitar.
Shaun Riley - “Secret”
Shaun Riley is a solo pop artist out of Minneapolis, MN. "Secret" is a flirty, sugary pop song about the feeling of being in a brand new relationship.
Claudia Campagnol - "Do You Love Me (dance edit)"
Claudia Campagnol loves to party and dance, and to hang out with her friends. And that was her inspiration to create a completely new version of her song Do You Love Me.
Inspired by names like Earth, Wind & Fire, Doja Cat, The Weeknd, Justin Timberlake, Prince and Maxwell among others, she has a strong desire to challenge herself and to step out of her previous musical comfort zone.
"Do You Love Me (dance edit)" is a funky, happy-go-lucky, feel-good love song that just gets stuck in your head.
Mitchel Evan - Mitchell Evan
Mitchel Evan is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Richmond, Virginia that has traveled the country exploring new landscapes and soundscapes.
RIYL: Felice Brothers, Wood Brothers, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings