New Music Reviews (6/3)

Each week, KEXP’s Music Director Don Yates shares brief insights on new and upcoming releases. See what's coming up this week below, including reviews for new releases from Steve Lacy, J. Robbins, Sacred Paws, and more.

Steve Lacy – Apollo XXI (3qtr/AWAL)
The debut solo album from this 21-year-old LA-based guitarist/vocalist/producer (and member of The Internet) is a well-crafted blend of relaxed R&B, funk, hip hop, psych-rock, indie-pop and more, combining an atmospheric sound with his aching falsetto and lyrics of love, lust and identity.

J. Robbins – Un-becoming (Dischord)
The debut solo album from the former Jawbox/Burning Airlines frontman and veteran producer is a strong set of ‘90s-steeped rock with bristling guitars, muscular rhythms, anthemic song hooks and often-dark lyrics reflecting these troubled times.

Sacred Paws – Run Around the Sun (Merge)
The second album from the Glasgow-based duo of guitarist/vocalist Rachel Aggs (Shopping, Trash Kit) and drummer Eilidh Rodgers is a strong set of well-crafted indie-pop with jangly, African-influenced guitars, energetic, idiosyncratic rhythms, occasional horns and buoyant melodies juxtaposed with often-dark lyrics of anxiety, isolation and regret.

Injury Reserve – Injury Reserve (Loma Vista)
This Tempe, AZ trio’s official debut full-length is an adventurous set of left-field hip hop, combining a variety of unconventional beats and unusual samples with trenchant, at times satirical rhymes. Special guests include Rico Nasty, JPEGMAFIA, Amine, Freddie Gibbs, DRAM and other notables.

Kishi Bashi – Omoiyari (Joyful Noise)
The fourth full-length from this singer/songwriter/violinist (aka Kaoru Ishibashi) is a powerful concept album centered around the Japanese-American internment camps of World War II. Featuring a more direct and lush sound than usual from Ishibashi, the album’s ‘70s-steeped folk-pop combines a variety of warm instrumentation with soaring harmonies and poignant lyrics responding to bigotry and fear with empathy and understanding.

pronoun – i'll show you stronger (Rhyme & Reason)
The debut album from this Brooklyn-based artist (aka Alyse Vellturo) is a well-crafted set of intimate indie-pop with fuzzy guitars, atmospheric synths, pulsing rhythms, hushed vocals and sunny melodies contrasted with often-dark lyrics of lost love and regret.

The Gotobeds – Debt Begins at 30 (Sub Pop)
This Pittsburgh band’s third album is a potent set of noise-addled post-punk featuring an impressive lineup of guest vocalists and musicians including members of Downtown Boys, Protomartyr and Silkworm.

Hayden Thorpe – Diviner (Domino)
The debut solo album from the former Wild Beasts frontman is a fine set of intimate, stripped-down pop, combining an often-spare sound featuring prominent piano and atmospheric synths with his tremulous vocals and lyrics of loss and renewal.

Psychedelic Porn Crumpets – And Now For The Whatchamacallit (Marathon Artists)
This Perth, Australia band’s third album is a fine set of gonzo psych-rock reminiscent of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard ranging from crunchy stoner-rock to dreamy space-rock.

Apex Manor – Heartbreak City (Merge)
The second album from the LA-based project of Ross Flournoy (former frontman for The Broken West) is a potent set of ‘90s-influenced rock with fuzzy guitars, atmospheric synths, energetic rhythms and hypnotic song hooks.

Ohtis – Curve of Earth (Full Time Hobby)
This Normal, IL trio’s official debut album is a potent set of country-tinged folk-pop, combining a warm sound featuring acoustic and steel guitars along with occasional cello, piano and synths with Sam Swinson’s conversational vocals and frank, often-dark lyrics of addiction.

Yohuna – Mirroring (Orchid Tapes)
The second album from this New York artist (aka Jonanne Swanson) is a well-crafted set of folk-inflected dream-pop combining atmospheric keyboards and guitars and occasional cello with her serene vocals and lyrics revolving around the ups and downs of relationships.

Making Movies – ameri’kana (3/2 Recordings)
This Kansas City band’s third album is a well-crafted blend of rock with various Latin styles, featuring a variety of politically charged songs revolving around addressing injustice and offering hope. Special guests include Rubén Blades, Flor De Toloache, Las Cafeteras, David Hidalgo of Los Lobos and other notables.

Haybaby – They Get There (Tiny Engines)
This Brooklyn band’s second album is a solid set ranging from buoyant, guitar-driven pop-rock to grinding noise-punk, with often-dark lyrics dealing with abuse, grief, loss and resilience.

Christelle Bofale – Swim Team EP (Father/Daughter)
This San Antonio-bred, Austin-based artist’s debut EP is a promising five-song set of shape-shifting dream-pop inflected with jazz, soul and the influence of her Congolese heritage, featuring a free-flowing sound combining spidery guitar lines with intimate lyrics of love and loss.

Sinkane – Dépaysé (City Slang)
The seventh album from this New York-based project spearheaded by Ahmed Gallab is a colorful blend of funk, Afrobeat, psych-rock, reggae, East African pop and more, combining a densely produced, rhythm-driven sound with often-politically charged lyrics.

Pip Blom – Boat (Heavenly)
The debut album from this Amsterdam band (whose lead singer shares the same name) is a fine set of anthemic guitar-pop.

Tunng – This Is Tunng... Magpie Bites and Other Cuts (Full Time Hobby)
This British band’s latest release is a nice compilation of 7” singles, b-sides and other rarities showcasing their blend of acoustic folk, prog and electronic beats and textures.