While the music on Dirty Projectors new album is a breath of fresh, engaging air, it's impossible to ignore the bewildering terrible lyrics, all focused on Amber Coffman's recent departure and solo career.
In conjunction with the recent release of their free EP The Joshua Tree, nu-jazz band Moon Hooch will showcase their considerable presence and talents at the Brooklyn Bowl this Saturday. I was lucky enough to ask horn-player Wenzl McGowen a few questions about the band and what a live concert experience is like for them.
The Radio Dept, with it's combination of mellow haze and hypnotic beats, is a particular live experience that hits somewhere right in between stress-free and somewhat imaginatively demanding.
Brian Eno's new generative album "Reflection", raises some surprisingly questions, such as the manner in which ambient music can be political or prescriptive.
The name of Stagnant Pools' new record, Geist, implies a phantom or spiritual figure and the music definitely channels a kind of ghostly misery. You’ll hear a bit of Joy Division, Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine, with an undercurrent of emo. It’s a familiar dream that doesn’t always work – sometimes there’s too much going on to feel much and sometimes there’s just nothing to feel - but it's great for any creative mind.
Popstrangers' new album Fortuna really explores the emotional side of pop. Throughout diverse subjects of love, comfort, communication, and hostility there is one mood. Even though this is not a joyful record, that mood contributes to a strong sense of fullness which is satisfying and engaging.
Turn to Crime's newly released track, “Forgiveness”, has obviously influences from art rock masters Lou Reed and David Bowie. It’s a fun, modern examination of that sound with a wildly different geographical focus.
Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Melaena Cadiz's new album Deep Below Heaven, out May 20th, is what Cadiz calls a book of short stories. The title comes from a Sam Shepard story about a man who has the sense of being deep below heaven when he falls off of his motorcycle during an accident. Cadiz’s own collection of stories chronicles Americans who are all struggling in their own universe, but united in that space deep below.
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery and Julianna Barwick have collaborated on a project. Dogfish Head is releasing a special brew IPA (with a touch of red rice and wasabi) titled Rosabi, after Barwick's new album. A track, "Meet You At Midnight," has been released from Rosabi, so you can sample the feeling of the album.
DJ Todd Terje modern synth recreation of Robert Palmer's "Johnny and Mary" sets a dreamy, distant downtempo that complements Bryan Ferry's hoarse narration of a couple falling apart.
