Mexican Institute of Sound and Meridian Brothers – “Cumbia fantasia”
This is like an electronic version of the second wave ska band The Selecter. It has a definite ska rhythm, but is more angular, bridging the last 45 years wonderfully.
Listen: Yes
Effie – “Red Horse”
I really struggled to get anything out of pullup to busan 4 morE hypEr summEr …, but “Red Horse” is a bit more tolerable largely because it is noticeably more musical. There are parts that remind me of MIA’s “Paper Planes,” so that helps.
Listen: Maybe, it’s only 2:30 after all
Cootie Catcher – Something We All Got
In an age of “perfection,” bands like Cootie Catcher feel so down-to-earth. Their ambling, somewhat off-key indie rock songs dabble in electronics in a way that feels spontaneous and natural. This record feels like a friend.
Listen: Yes
Buy: Maybe
Em Beihold – Tales of a Failed Shapeshifter
In some ways, it is good that kids are more open about their mental health, but in popular culture it often moves from honesty to wallowing. One of the refreshing things on Tales of a Failed Shapeshifter is that it deals honestly with struggle without losing hope. I think that is why while it is theatrical, it is also relatable. There is kind of a baroque pop quality to Beihold’s grandiose tunes, yet they don’t feel larger than life. She said on the first side, her parents are her neighbors and on the second side, he grandmother (who suffers from Alzheimer’s) is her neighbor. That makes listening even more interesting.
Listen: Yes!!!
Buy: Yes
Forager – Even a Child Can Cover the Sun with a Finger
Forager is an easy listen, but also hard to wrap my head around. On one hand, it’s a lot of busy noodling. On the other, it’s really laid back. Shyamala Ramakrishna’s vocals are often soulful, yet add a bit of reverb and they are ethereal. In some ways, it has a serious, adult tone, but mixes it with child-like serendipity. I wouldn’t say this album genre hops so much as it genre mixes. I like it and am anxious to see if it grows or wanes over more listens.
Listen: Yes
Buy: Maybe
BLACKPINK – Deadline EP
“Jump” was easy to like at first, but I lost interest pretty quickly. It’s just soooo synthetic and formulaic. And it only gets worse. Chris Martin co-wrote “Go,” so I guess I should not have expected originality. “Champion” and “Fxxxboy” almost sound human, but not quite.
Listen: No
Buy: No
Inner Wave – See You When I Get Back
These laid back grooves don’t seem quite new, but also not old. I think that is largely because decades ago doesn’t always seem that old to me. It could probably use some sort of teeth to really sink in, but it has its charms from both the 80’s and 00’s. And it has a weird spookiness that is more fun than dark.
Listen: Sure
Buy: Probably not
Bill Callahan – My Days of 58
Despite a rather sparse sounding record (even if it is not really all that sparse), Bill Callahan creates a lot of tension. The music sounds darker than the lyrics which seem not so much optimistic as accepting and open to possibility (even if possibilities are diminishing). There is a conversational intimacy that makes me think of Johnny Cash. Listening to My Days of 58 feels kind of like Bill Callahan stopped by to hang out for the evening.
Listen: Yes
Buy: Yes