Highlights for this week include the debut release from The Proper Ornaments, a UK group led by Max Claps and Veronica Falls’ James Hoare. KEXP's Music Director Don Yates describes their first full-length as "a sturdy, well-crafted set of hazy psych-pop with jangly guitars, warm harmonies, wistful melodies and often-dark lyrics."
Another stand-out debut this week comes from Bay Area band Cold Beat, led by Grass Widow bassist Hannah Lew. Yates describes it as "a smartly crafted blend of sparkling New Wave pop, urgent post-punk, dark synth-pop and more, with concise, hook-filled songs featuring Lew’s ethereal vocals and dark lyrics about modern-day San Francisco."
Los Angeles singer-songwriter Matt Kivel shares his sophomore release for Woodsist Records, "a fine set of understated folk-pop combining gentle acoustic and electric guitars with unhurried rhythms and hazy vocals." (Speaking of Woodsist, their founding band Woods share a new 7" single today featuring two non-album tracks.) Former Zero 7 vocalist Sia releases her sixth solo album today. Avant-garde metal group Wolves in the Throne Room throw everyone for a loop by abandoning bass and drums on their latest, for an ambient instrumental release spotlighting analog synths.
In live music, The 13th Floor Elevators release a 2-CD set featuring a legendary 1967 show from Houston Music Theatre, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young share a box set of live recordings from their 1974 reunion tour, available in a wide range of formats, including 3-CD sets, blu-ray, six 12" records, and more.
The UK dominates this week of new releases with standout albums from two British duos. The mysterious twosome known as Jungle release their self-titled debut with XL Recordings, which KEXP's Music Director Don Yates describes as "an excellent set of retro-futuristic electro-funk with shimmering key…
With today being Canada Day and Friday the Fourth of July, the music industry world is kinda quiet this week, but there are still some stellar releases worth shooting fireworks for. Highlights include the comedy album 2776: A Millennium of American Asskickery, the brainchild of Conan/The Daily Show…