Tyler Childers – Purgatory CD/LP (Hickman Holler)

Like many great Southern storytellers, singer-songwriter Tyler Childers has fallen in love with a place. The people, landmarks and legendary moments from his childhood home of Lawrence County, Kentucky populate the ten songs on his formidable debut, Purgatory, an album that’s simultaneously modern and as ancient as the Appalachian Mountains in which events unfold. The album, co-produced by Grammy Award winners Sturgill Simpson and David Ferguson, is a semi-autobiographical sketch of Childers’ growth from wayward youth to happily married man, told in the tradition of a Southern gothic novel with a classic noir antihero who may just be irredeemable. Purgatory is a chiaroscuro painting with darkness framing light in high relief. There’s catharsis and redemption. Sin and temptation. Murder and deceit. Demons and angels. Moonshine and cocaine. So much moonshine and cocaine. All played out on the large, colorful canvas of Eastern Kentucky.

Coldplay – Kaleidoscope CDEP/12”+MP3 (Parlophone)

This new EP features a live version of Coldplay’s hit collaboration with The Chainsmokers, “Something Just Like This,” recorded in Tokyo in April. It also includes “Miracles (Someone Special),” a collaboration with Detroit rapper Big Sean. Another new song, “A L I E N S,” was written with Brian Eno, and co-produced by Eno and Markus Dravs (Arcade Fire, Mumford & Sons, Kings Of Leon). [Limited blue colored vinyl pressing also available.]

Dead Cross – Dead Cross CD/LP (Ipecac)

Dead Cross emerged out of a series of impractical schemes, fallen-through plans, and last-minute musical experimentation. Shows were scheduled before a single song was written, fans were formed before even one show was played. The chaos of its creation seems apt; after all, the band is comprised entirely of artists who have thrived playing tightly-coiled turmoil – intelligent dissonance disguised as disorder. Consisting of Dave Lombardo, Justin Pearson, Michael Crain, and Mike Patton, the impressive, expansive, and eclectic list of prior bands collectively played in would be enough to ensure the unyielding ferocity of the music… but a resume isn’t necessary, here. Dead Cross stands on its own, speaks volumes with its multilayered evil-genius vocals, manic guitar riffs, and brutal rhythms. [Limited red colored vinyl pressing also available.]

Hard Working Americans – We’re All In This Together CD/2xLP (Melvin)

We’re All In This Together was recorded live by monitor engineer Colin Cargile during the band’s 2016 Rest In Chaos tour. Dubbed a ‘jam band supergroup’ by some journalists, Hard Working Americans features bassist Dave Schools and drummer Duane Trucks of Widespread Panic, guitarist Neal Casal of Chris Robinson Brotherhood, keyboardist Chad Staehly of Great American Taxi, Tulsa guitarist Jesse Aycock, and singer-songwriter Todd Snider on lead vocals. [Limited color vinyl pressing also available.]

Lords Of Acid – Voodoo-U [Reissue/1994] CD (Metropolis)

This Special Remastered Band Edition of the second album from Belgian electronic band features bonus tracks selected from B-sides from the album’s singles.

Briana Marela – Call It Love CD/LP+MP3 (Jagjaguwar)

There is something unforgettable about great love songs, and Briana Marela’s Call It Love wraps its welcoming arms around the subject, invoking all its complexity. Marela’s original vision for this album was to dig into the two poles of her songwriting styles: her ambient, ethereal side and her brighter, beat-driven pop leanings.

Soccer Mommy – Collection CD/LP (Fat Possum)

Soccer Mommy is the project of Sophie Allison, a 19-year-old Nashville native and musical wunderkind. Sophie built her reputation as a DIY artist, recording her own songs and releasing them for free on Bandcamp over the last few years. Collectioncompiles the best of Sophie’s Bandcamp work as well as a few new songs, written, mixed and produced herself. The songs portray an artist fully-formed, mature far beyond her age singing about toxic relationships, infatuations, and all the experiences of being a teenage girl. Or, as Sophie describes her subject matter, “crush stuff with a hint of bad to it.” There’s a playfulness to the music that belies the sophisticated nature of the songcraft. The songs can be sweet, they can be happily melancholic or melancholically happy, but they always cut deep. They belong on playlists and mixes, to be shared among friends and belted out during road trips. These perfect pop gems have power.

Brian Eno – Here Come The Warm Jets [Reissue/1974] 2xLP (Astralwerks)

Brian Eno – Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy) [Reissue/1975] 2xLP (Astralwerks)

Brian Eno – Another Green World [Reissue/1975] 2xLP (Astralwerks)

Brian Eno – Before And After Science [Reissue/1977] 2xLP (Astralwerks)

Limited double 180gm vinyl LP pressings of the meticulous half-speed masters (all of which play at 45rpm for optimum sound quality). Each is packaged in s gatefold sleeve featuring an Obi strip, along with an official ‘Abbey Road Half Speed Master’ certificate.

Preoccupations – Cassette [Reissue/2013] LP+MP3 (Jagjaguwar)

In late 2013, Preoccupations – then known as Viet Cong – released a small-run Cassette EP only available on tour. Over the course of a year, Matt Flegel and Scott Munro worked in their basement studio with a mess of old and run-down equipment to build a set of fresh material. What emerged was a mixture of sharply-angled rhythm workouts and euphoric ‘60s garage pop-esque melodies, balanced with a penchant for drone-y, VU-styled downer moments.

Violent Femmes – Two Mics & The Truth: Unplugged & Unhinged In America LP+MP3 (PIAS America)

Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Violent Femmes’ new live album, 2 Mics & The Truth: Unplugged & Unhinged in America, includes rearranged classics, songs played live for the first time, spontaneous requests and random improvisations.