Record Store Day is over , and everything's back to normal. Time to sail a clean ship with new releases.
Listening session: Ghost - Skeletá
Album of the Week: Julien Baker & Torres
"Wouldn't it be hilarious if we made a country record sometime—like Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson?" Torres never imagined Julien Baker would actually say yes—or that things would get so out of hand. But behold: Send a Prayer My Way , a true country record from two Southern singer-songwriters.
The album features fiddles, pedal steel, and references to honky-tonks and Tennessee. A sincere ode to the genre with a wink. "Send a Prayer My Way" offers passionate genre exercises, delightful pastiche, and an indie rock anthem with "Sugar in the Tank" as the standout.
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It's no shame that the name Tunde Adebimpe might not ring a bell. We haven't heard much about TV On The Radio, which Adebimpe fronts, since their last album, Seeds (2014). But now's the time to (re)acquaint yourself with them. Adebimpe's solo debut , Thee Black Boltz, is a rebirth. It's a hyperactive, intelligent synth-pop album—not a far cry from the work of TV On The Radio, but emphatically more electronic and a bit more chaotic.
Beirut – A Study of Losses
Zach Condon (Beirut) withdrew from public life for a few years to pursue his own music career. He found inspiration in the south of France and his new home in Berlin. The result is A Study of Losses , a melancholic, solemn, and at times tranquil album. Instrumentally rich, with brass, vintage keyboards, and wistful melodies reminiscent of his early work.
Neil Young – Coastal (Soundtrack)
Neil Young will never forget his anger (his online store is closed today for National Blackout Day, which encourages Americans to shop only at independent stores), but in the documentary Coastal, we see a primarily content Neil Young. The 79-year-old's peace of mind and zest for life are also clearly audible on the (live) soundtrack.
Polo & Pan – 22:22
Mr. Polo and Mr. Pan would have loved to run a beach club. Luckily, their music is also great for surfing. On their new album , 22:22, you'll hear Moroder, the lead singer of Metronomy, funk, disco, and even a chanson. There's still room on the terrace.
Robin Kester – Honeycomb Shades
Robin Kester 's long-awaited debut album, Honeycomb Shades , is here. It's both dreamy and detailed, introspective without being detached. Her whisper-soft vocals float above layered, analog arrangements. Kester collaborated with members of Portishead, among others, on this album.
CD / LP