This week, soulster Matthew E. White unleashes his sophomore full-length Fresh Blood, which KEXP Music Director Don Yates describes as "a well-crafted set of soul-inflected pop, featuring a warm, full-bodied though intimate sound, impeccably arranged with lush strings, soulful horns, piano, soft vocals and effervescent harmonies." (Hear for yourself when White is LIVE on KEXP on Saturday, March 28th at 3:00 PM, and playing The Sunset later that night.)
Local faves The Minus 5, led by Portland-via-Seattle artist (and Young Fresh Fellows frontman) Scott McCaughey, share their tenth album, which Yates notes is "another strong set of sharply crafted power pop featuring some of the most direct and personal songs of McCaughey’s illustrious career, with many of them touching upon aging and mortality. Special guests include Peter Buck, Jeff Tweedy, Ian McLagan, members of the Decemberists and other notables. (These songs were previously released as part of a limited-edition, 5-LP vinyl-only box set called Scott The Hoople In The Dungeon Of Horror for Record Store Day 2014, though about half of them have been reworked for this album.)"
Will Butler steps out from the shadow of his older brother, Arcade Fire frontman Win, for his debut album, Policy. Fucked Up guitarist Ben Cook (aka Young Guv) releases a "strong, hook-filled blend of funky Prince-style electro-pop with jangly Big Star power-pop." UK quartet Evans the Death release Expect Delays, an album guitarist Dan Moss says is about "being in London and feeling hopeless and a bit lost. Not having any money, relationships falling apart, things just not connecting or going anywhere, and getting absolutely wasted all the time." Seattle's own Fences releases his sophomore album Lesser Oceans, which features production by Death Cab for Cutie's Chris Walla, Jacquire King (Of Monsters and Men), and Ryan Lewis.
If you're hoping to spend St. Patrick's Day doing some record shopping, you are indeed in luck, as there are some great new releases at the end of the rainbow this week. Highlights include the latest from Modest Mouse. KEXP Music Director Don Yates notes, "the latest album (and first in eight years…
They say March is "in like a lion, out like a lamb," and out this week is the sophomore release from Lady Lamb (formerly Lady Lamb The Beekeeper)! KEXP Music Director Don Yates notes the release is "a bolder, more direct-sounding album with a dynamic indie-pop sound featuring driving rhythms, guita…