The first month of 2014 is closing out with another strong batch of releases, including the third album from L.A. band Dum Dum Girls, which KEXP Music Director Don Yates calls, "a darker, more ‘80s-influenced take on the band’s psych-tinged pop-rock, featuring a more spacious, atmospheric sound propelled by streamlined guitars, Dee Dee’s aching vocals and strong pop melodies." This week also brings the latest from Brooklyn pop trio Hospitality, the final release from producer Darren Cunningham under the name Actress, the latest from Blue Ridge brothers Pontiak, and a new one from The Autumn Defense, a side project for John Stirratt of Wilco and Uncle Tupelo.
The Autumn Defense - None of This Will Matter from Fifth on Yep Roc
Bibio - The Green E.P. Sampler from The Green E.P. on Warp
Laura Cantrell - No Way There From Here from No Way There From Here on Thrift Shop
Cities Aviv - URL IRL from Come to Life on Young One
Dum Dum Girls - Lost Boys & Girls Club from Too True on Sub Pop Records
The Gaslight Anthem - She Loves You from The B-Sides on Side One Dummy
Gem Club - Polly from In Roses on Hardly Art
Guardian Alien - Spiritual Emergency from Spiritual Emergency on Thrill Jockey Records
Habibi - Let Me In from Habibi on Burger Records
Hospitality - "Going Out" from Trouble on Merge Records
Angelique Kidjo - "Blewu" from Eve on 429 Records
Lambchop - Up With People from Nixon (reissue of 2000 album) on Merge Records
Eleni Mandell - Put My Baby to Bed from Let's Fly a Kite on Yep Roc Records
Tara Jane O'Neil - Wordless in Words from Where Shine New Lights on Kranky
The Pack A.D. - Needles from Do Not Engage on Nettwerk Music Group
Pontiak - Innocence from Innocence on Thrill Jockey Records
Quilt - Arctic Shark from Held in Splendor on Mexican Summer
RiFF RAFF - How to Be the Man from NEON iCON on Mad Decent
Sleepy Sun - The Lane from Maui Tears on Dine Alone Records
Supreme Cuts - Gone (ft. Mahaut Mondino) from Divine Ecstasy on Dovecote
Doug Tuttle - Turn This Love from Doug Tuttle on Trouble in Mind
Uncle Tupelo - Whiskey Bottle from No Depression (reissue of 1990 album) on Legacy Recordings
Wax Fang - "Majestic" from The Astronaut on Don't Panic Records
Jess Williamson - Native State from Native State on Brutal Honest
February is kicking off with lots of interesting stuff for your ears, most notably, the sophomore release from duo Broken Bells -- Danger Mouse and James Mercer of The Shins. KEXP's Music Director, Don Yates, describes the new album After the Disco as "a strong set of psych-tinged rhythmic pop that…
2014 is off to a great start for new music! Highlights include the long-awaited sophomore release from LA band Warpaint. KEXP Music Director, Don Yates, declares it a "more subtle and minimalist take on the band’s brooding dream-pop, featuring a dark, atmospheric sound with swirling guitars and key…
