Coming back to school fully online has been a difficult adjustment for all of us, not least of all the members of the student radio community, but we are wading forth into the choppy waters of remote instruction and activity resourcefully and diligently. Though station DJs don't yet have access to the physical station from which to broadcast our shows, we are continuing with asynchronous programming via our very own Mixcloud page! There, you can listen to shows by our many talented DJs, yours truly included, any time you like!

Now, onto the newsletter. We'll be continuing to feature new releases every two weeks. Below, check out new adds from Jessie Ware, Khruangbin, and Helvetia!

- Lucy Talbot Allen, Music Writing Director

Jessie Ware - What’s Your Pleasure?

Jessie Ware's What's Your Pleasure?, released this June, is a departure from her typical top-40 sound and a return to the classic ‘80s pop genre. The strong synth-pop bass lines pump through each song, creating an undeniable groove in every track that practically begs the listener to dance. In "Oh La La," Ware combines seductive lyricism with a pulsating backbeat, and as the song develops, she introduces more and more textural sounds including percussion tones à la Michael Jackson. Ware cited her inspiration for the album and its imagery in an interview with Billboard as "somewhere between [legendary and scandalous nightclubs] Studio 54 and Berghain in Berlin," which clearly translates through the album's overt disco and retro pop influences.

The title track "What's Your Pleasure?" brings The Eurythmics to mind with Ware's higher register vocals over a constant synth bass rhythm. Conceptually, the album pays tribute to the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities that developed the disco genre, and she stated in an interview with Lewis Corner of GayTimes that the work was meant to be a “thank you” to these communities. “Mirage (Don't Stop)” presents a certain confidence and swagger that really captures Ware's personality and almost flirts with the listener. The nostalgic quality of each track adds to the lustful nature of the album and illustrates a deep sense of longing, which resonates at a core level.

It is also important to note the album cover art, which mimics Andy Warhol's iconic polaroid photo of Bianca Jagger, another tribute to a previous era. What’s Your Pleasure? and its accompanying visual art demonstrate creative growth as well as brand consistency. Here we see a continuation of Ware's electronic and synth influences while she takes a step forward into a more refined style and visual presentation. At 35, Ware has faced expectations of artist reinvention and industry standards that pull musicians away from dance music as they age, but the success of What's Your Pleasure? and the painstaking care Ware has taken to preserve and feature the most beloved elements of '80s pop and disco prove that her work is timeless and transcends societal expectations.

- Jade Fink, Co-Design Director

RIYL: Fishbach, Kindness, St. Vincent, Porches
Recommended Tracks: 2, 3, 4, 6, 10
FCC: Clean

Khruangbin - Mordechai

The first time I heard “Dear Alfred,” I was in an underwater submarine gliding through deep ocean currents. “Shida” cocooned me in a sultry summer night, where I found myself blissfully floating amongst the clouds- the ends of my hair danced in sync to the guitar riffs echoing in the background. If there’s one thing Khruangbin can do right, it's getting their listeners to delve deeper into the expanse of their imagination. If you ever need a moment to escape reality, reach out for Mordechai.

Khruangbin's latest album, Mordechai, sees the Houston-based trio revisiting their Thai and Iranian funk roots, yet still expanding on their distinctive sound melding together African drums and guitar with new age psychedelia. The group has also managed to incorporate Spanish influences into this album; the track “Pelota” layers strong Latin rhythms and is sung entirely in Spanish.

Despite the various international influences, the guitar work on Mordechai is the focal point of every track. Lead guitarist Mark Speer is having a defining moment in this album. By blending the unlikeliest of genres, he offers audiences a new perspective, bringing an inventive funkadelic sound to the band’s latest album. Together, the trio have honed in on a distinctive sound that is uniquely theirs.

I would recommend listening to the album from start to finish to have a greater appreciation for the curation and breadth of work covered. “Connaissance de Face” is the track that's probably closest to Khruangbin's original sound, so I naturally found myself gravitating towards it. This album gave me ALL THE VIBES. Hopefully you’ll discover some gems along the way too! Happy listening :)

- Judith Shruti, DJ

RIYL: Michael Kiwanuka, Skinshape, Tame Impala
Recommended Tracks: 3, 6, 10
FCC: Clean

Helvetia - This Devastating Map

Portland local and slowcore vet Jason Albertini dips his hand into different pools, producing something simultaneously unique and uniquely his own on Helvetia’s 10th studio release, This Devastating Map. Coming in at just over 30 minutes, this 12 track album, released on the record label Joyful Noise, is a series of eccentric guitar-driven pop songs devoid of genre cliches and traditional structure. It’s both fresh and familiar, nostalgic and new.

Albertini’s songwriting always leaves more to be desired in the best way – it never lasts as long as you want; half of the tracks on this album are shorter than two minutes. It’s an album of musical vignettes, each the sonic equivalent of a funhouse mirror, leaving you with a different impression after multiple listens.

The album abandons most structural formalities in favor of either nebulous riffs or gradual progressions that build into the unexpected. It has a vague psychedelic quality to it, heavily utilizing loops and weird noises. It’s lazy as hell--lazy in a spaced-out, This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About kind of way.

It’s decorated with a slow-burning lament that eventually resolves itself as apathy. To say this album chronicles some of Albertini’s mundane life experiences (like taking his daughter to the dentist) and emotional oscillations is nearly an overstatement. Much of the lyrical content is indecipherable and merely in place as melodic fodder, but the result is still enjoyable and complex.

This Devastating Map is the perfect compliment to a post-party comedown, long walk in the dark, or dinner for one.

- Thomas Spano, DJ

RIYL: Duster, Built to Spill, Alex G
Recommended Tracks: 2, 4, 9
FCC: Clean

NEW ADDS: Jessie Ware, Khruangbin, Helvetia