New Music Reviews (9/16)

Each week, Music Director Chris Sanley and Associate Music Director Alex Ruder (joined this week by Albina Cabrera, Latin Partnerships and Editorial Manager and co-host of El Sonido) share brief insights on new and upcoming releases for KEXP's rotation. These reviews help our DJs decide on what they want to play. See what we added this week below (and on our Charts page), including new releases from Nilüfer Yanya, Suki Waterhouse, Fred again.., and more. 

Nilüfer Yanya - My Method Actor (Ninja Tune)
The third studio album from London-based Nilufer Yanya finds the artist embracing big, hook-filled rockers alongside breathtaking, restrained ballads, resulting in an album that is as effortless as it is meticulous. Her distinct, extraordinary vocals are front and center, supported by rich sonic landscapes that blend fuzzy guitars, strings, synths and enticing percussion. My Method Actor showcases Yanya’s impressive growth and artistry as she keeps listeners hanging on every note. –CS

Suki Waterhouse - Memoirs of a Sparklemuffin (Sub Pop)
The new double album from LA-based singer-songwriter Suki Waterhouse is a wholly captivating indie-pop opus. Blending elements of Americana, garage rock and orchestral pop, the album highlights her rich vocals while presenting a compelling mix of genres and themes. Memoirs of a Sparklemuffin seamlessly transitions from light, playful bops to deep, heartfelt numbers. The result is a cohesive, confident body of work from a dynamic multi-hyphenate at the top of her game. –CS

Fred again.. - ten days (Warner Music/Atlantic)
The fourth studio album from UK producer, multi-instrumentalist and DJ Fred again.. is a deeply personal and introspective project, featuring a diverse range of collaborators including Obonjayar, Sampha, SOAK, Four Tet, Anderson .Paak and Emmylou Harris. Each song, reflecting a specific day, offers a unique soundscape that transitions smoothly with the use of interstitials, letting listeners experience every track’s individuality. From the high-energy joy of “Adore You” to the meditative “Just Stand There,” ten days explores contrasting emotions, reflecting life’s complexities through Fred again..’s signature blend of mesmerizing beats and hypnotic synths. –CS

Ginger Root - SHINBANGUMI (Ghostly International)
The fourth studio album from multi-instrumentalist, producer, songwriter, and visual artist Cameron Lew is an endlessly funky exploration of intoxicating city pop. Through layered, woozy synths with driving bass and vibrant percussion, his fusion of synth-pop, boogie and alt-disco is irresistible. The concept album follows a newly fired music supervisor as he embarks on his own new venture, “Ginger Root Productions.” The accompanying music videos further enrich the narrative, making SHINBANGUMI a masterful multi-dimensional artistic experience. –CS

JSWISS - You Never Really Know (Awthentic Records)
The latest album from prolific NYC-based MC JSWISS finds him existing in the present and keeping it authentic. Collaborating with a talented roster of producers and vocalists, including CARRTOONS, Sly5thAve and Demi Grace, You Never Really Know features an infectious fusion of hip-hop, soul, R&B and jazz. With thirteen smooth and groovy tracks, the album offers a rich and engaging journey through a diverse range of soundscapes. –CS

Nada Surf - Moon Mirror (New West)
On their tenth album and first for New West Records, Nada Surf are in prime form with their signature brand of hopeful, melancholic, indie-rock. Moon Mirror delivers everything fans have come to love from this long-adored band, featuring big hooks, bright melodies, sweet harmonies and Matthew Caws’ unmistakable vocals. This album reaffirms Nada Surf’s knack for crafting compelling, heart-on-sleeve indie-rock gems. –CS

Porches - Shirt (Domino)
The sixth studio album from Aaron Maine, aka Porches, is a textured, avant-garde rock record, featuring manipulated vocals, electronic, acoustic and grunge elements. Shirt is composed of twelve short, impactful tracks that juggle the duality of tension and ease, fantasy and reality. With its captivating hooks and diverse array of influences, the album offers a complex and engaging listening experience. –CS

Thandii - Dream With You / Come As You (HaloHalo)
Composed of Jessica Berry and Graham Godfrey, Thandii are a Margate, UK-based duo who have previously worked with SAULT, Little Simz, Cleo Sol, Michael Kiwanuka, Jordan Rakei, Joy Crookes, and more. Following their overlooked 2023 debut album A Beat To Make It Better, Thandii simultaneously drop two stellar albums that provide a comprehensive look at their fresh, funky, and soulful sound. Each album captures its own vibe, with Dream With You delivering infectious SAULT-esque funk/soul/pop cuts distinguished by lively, dusty breaks and Berry’s soaring vocals, while Come As You leans a touch more into moody art-pop, sultry trip-hop, and smoky psych-pop territory that’s equally magnetic. -AR

Thavoron - Thavoron (Trailing Twelve)
The self-titled double album from Seattle-based Cambodian-American musician Thavoron is simply sensational. Her third full length–and her first since coming out as a trans woman–seamlessly blends alternative R&B, moody bedroom pop and experimental sounds. Guided by her breathtaking vocals, Thavoron takes listeners on a journey through deeply intimate tunes. With its incredible crescendos, the album explores themes of self-love, acceptance, identity and representation, presenting lush, raw and transportive tracks that demand attention. –CS

Dear Rouge - Lonesome High (Cadence/Pheromone Records)
The fourth studio album from husband-and-wife duo Danielle and Drew McTaggart is an electrifying set of rugged, pop infused indie-rock boasting epic hooks, excellent guitar riffs and an outstanding vocal performance from Danielle. Stand out “Not Afraid To Dance” begs for repeat listens with its infectious bass line and killer groove. –CS

Etran de L’Aïr - 100% Sahara Guitar (Sahel Sounds)
The third album from this Agadez, Niger family band that’s currently the city’s “longest running wedding band” continues to spotlight their celebratory, potent, and hypnotic Saharan rock that’s full of lyrical Tuareg guitars, trance-inducing solos, infectious rhythms, and jubilant communal vocal melodies. -AR

Floating Points - Cascade (Ninja Tune)
The latest from UK producer Sam Shepherd, aka Floating Points, is a mesmerizing celebration of electronic dance music. Cascade features intricate, kaleidoscopic soundscapes with pulsing beats, layered synths, captivating glitches and spellbinding grooves, offering a vibrant journey that immerses listeners in the essence of the club experience. –CS

Gurriers - Come and See (No Filter)
The debut album from this Dublin outfit is a chaotic and cathartic expression of post-punk with fiery guitars, urgent vocals and powerful drums. Infusing distortions along with elements of psych, noise and shoegaze, Gurriers make an impressive official introduction with this solid first outing.–CS

Hataałii - Waiting For A Sign (Dangerbird)
The latest offering from Hataałii, the 21 year old artist from Window Rock, AZ, is a dreamy, psychedelic fusion of indie-rock and melancholic pop, with a hint of dusty country in the mix. With compelling vocals, driving guitar strums and artful lyricism, Waiting For A Sign effortlessly flows straight to the heart. –CS

Hello Mary - Emita Ox (Frenchkiss)
The second album from this young Brooklyn-based trio is another solid set of gritty alternative rock that blends shoegaze, grunge, noise, psych, and post-rock into its fiery, heavy, immersive sonic web. -AR

Lunar Vacation - Everything Matters, Everything’s Fire (Keeled Scales)
The sophomore album from Decatur, GA-based outfit Lunar Vacation is an outstanding collection of sugar-soaked, melancholic indie-rock gems. With sweet vocals, fiery guitars, intriguing pop hooks and a balance of heavy and playful lyrics, Everything Matters, Everything’s Fire showcases a band that has deepened their bond, sound and perspective for this raw and timeless new record. –CS

Oh, Rose - Dorothy (Antiquated Future)
The second album from this Olympia/Portland band led by Olivia Rose is another strong set of expansive, cathartic, and compassionate songs that confidently blend heavy doses of dream-pop and art-rock with forays into synth-pop and indie-folk terrain. Named after Olivia’s grandmother who passed away in 2018, Dorothy is an impressive leap forward from one of the PNW’s finest hidden gems, delivering a record full of grit, sophistication, and emotions that “aims to capture the love that can transform and move us through the darkness.” -AR

The Mystery Lights - Purgatory (Wick/Daptone)
The third studio album from the Queens, NY via Salinas, CA quintet The Mystery Lights is a solid set of dusty, psych-fueled garage rock. Boasting thrilling guitar work, catchy hooks and compelling rhythms. Purgatory is an excellent place to get stuck in. –CS

The Soundcarriers - Through Other Reflections (Phosphonic)
This British band’s fifth album is another solid dive into cinematic psych-rock, kaleidoscopic psych-folk, and warm psych-pop that mines the dreamier strands of 1960s psychedelic music for their own melodic, welcomingly trippy, and nostalgia-soaked sound. -AR

Trentemøller - Dreamweaver (In My Room)
The seventh studio album from veteran Danish producer/musician Anders Trentemøller traverses a moody, hypnotic, and expansive landscape that sways between spacious, ethereal dream-pop and atmospheric, propulsive, vocal-laced shoegaze. The record’s varying tones are held together by Trentemøller’s lush, richly-textured, noirish production and the angelic vocals of Icelandic artist Disa, who appears on all tracks aside from the stellar instrumental jam “In A Storm” and the meditative closing track “Closure.” -AR

Tristan de Liège - Searching (Joshua Tree)
The latest solo album from this LA-based multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer is a beautiful set of orchestral neo-soul, blissful jazz, cinematic downtempo beats, and smoky trip-hop. British vocalist Bryony Jarman-Pinto, fresh off the release of her own excellent solo album Below Dawn for Tru Thoughts, appears on three standout tracks, including the stunning highlight “New Symmetry.” While those vocal tracks provide immediate highlights, Tristan’s lush, symphonic, electro-acoustic instrumental touch shines bright throughout, and his consistent collaborative spirit welcomes in contributions from Spencer Zahn, Sam Gendel, Fabiano do Nascimento, and Gregory Allison. -AR

Abbey Blackwell - Big Big Motion (self-released)
Abbey Blackwell is a Seattle-based musician who’s played bass in a bunch of fantastic bands, Alvvays, La Luz, Cassandra Jenkins, and Haley Heynderickx all included. Her second solo album explores an intimate, stately, and solemn indie folk sound with touches of slowcore, psych, and chamber-folk. -Alex Ruder-

Angie McMahon - Light Sides EP (Gracie Music)
The follow up to her sensational 2023 album, Light, Dark, Light Again, finds the Naarm/Melbourne singer-songwriter leaning into the light and taking up space with this emotional set of folk-rock tunes. Penned alongside its predecessor, Light Sides resonates with the same depth and spirit, showcasing her breathtaking vocals and heartfelt lyricism. –CS

Doohickey Cubicle - Super Smeller (self-released)
The second album from this Vancouver, BC duo composed of Alli Deleo and Francis Hooper is another sweet set of mellow, woozy psych-pop and glistening indie-pop jams that’s full of warm synths, dreamy vocals, and breezy rhythms. While created in the wake of Francis’ diagnosis and subsequent treatment for a rare form of nasal cancer, Super Smeller largely belies the backdrop of those difficult days with a smooth, pillowy, and low-key groovy record. -AR

Various Artists - Synthesizing the Silk Roads: Uzbek Disco, Tajik Folktronica, Uyghur Rock & Tatar Jazz from 1980s Soviet Central Asia (Ostinato)
This fascinating 15-track compilation serves as an unprecedented new anthology of revolutionary and rarely heard dance music from the former USSR. Featuring songs that were recorded in the Uzbekistan capital city of Tashkent and pressed onto wax during the 1980s at the Tashkent Gramplastinok vinyl factory that was in operation from 1945 to 1991, Synthesizing the Silk Roads exposes a scene’s distinctive take on the disco, rock, and synth-pop sounds that were being imported from the West and being consumed in the city’s clubs by patrons willing to participate in a mandatory one-hour ideological lecture before DJs and musicians could began their sets. -AR