STAFF PICKS
Lindsay – Charley Crockett, Bodega, Corridor, Lostines
Dario – Oren Ambarchi and Six Organs of Admittance
Kimber – Four Tet and Oren Amarchi
Jake – Six Organs of Admittance and Bodega
Zach – Charley Crockett, Bodega, Iron and Wine
Ash – Lonnie Smith

St. Vincent – All Born Screaming CD/LP (Virgin)
St. Vincent’s first self-produced record, All Born Screaming, is Annie Clark at her most unfiltered. All Born Screaming is an invitation to test the limits of what is possible – and to then keep going. Brought to life with the aid of a highly curated dream lineup of friends – Rachel Eckroth, Josh Freese, Dave Grohl, Mark Guiliana, Cate Le Bon, Justin Meldal-Johnsen, Stella Mogzawa and David Ralicke – the album is an unadulterated expression of St. Vincent’s singular vision. [Available on black and indie exclusive red vinyl.]

Iron And Wine – Light Verse CD/LP (Sub Pop)
Light Verse arrives April 26th, and it’s Iron & Wine’s seventh full-length overall and fifth for Sub Pop Records. Fashioned as an album that should be taken as a whole, it sounds lovingly handmade and self-assured as a secret handshake. Track by track, it’s equal parts elegy, kaleidoscope, truth, and dare. Light Verse was recorded with engineer and mixer Dave Way at his studio Waystation high up in Laurel Canyon (with an additional session at Silent Zoo Studio with a 24-piece orchestra), with a host of talented musicians joining Beam: Tyler Chester, Sebastian Steinberg, David Garza, Griffin Goldsmith, Beth Goodfellow, Kyle Crane, Paul Cartwright, and, Fiona Apple joined Beam on vocals for the duet “All In Good Time.” On limited edition colored vinyl. 

Justice – Hyperdrama CD/LP (Because Music)
Justice are back with their fourth album (first in seven years!) entitled, Hyperdrama, which includes the tracks “Generator,” and “One Night/All Night,” feat. Tame Impala and “The End” featuring Thundercat. Available on black and limited edition clear vinyl! Free slipmats with purchase, while supplies last!

Charley Crockett – $10 Cowboy  CD/LP (Son of Davy)
The album was recorded at Arlyn Studios in Austin, produced by Crockett and his long-time collaborator Billy Horton. It was recorded live to tape, with anywhere from 6-12 musicians and backup singers on each track, giving the songs the feel of a live performance. It’s a sound Crockett has been after for years. “Reason I cut it on tape is because when you got the right people in the room, and the great players rise to the occasion when that red light is on and the tape is rolling, you get the magic of a great performance.” Available on black and limited edition blue vinyl. 

Pet Shop Boys – Nonetheless  CD/LP (Parlaphone)
Nonetheless is the duo’s first release with producer James Ford, who has previously worked with artists including Arctic Monkeys, Depeche Mode, Blur, Gorillaz and Simian Mobile Disco. The album also sees the duo return to Parlophone, the label which released their iconic and massively successful material spanning 1985 – 2012. Nonetheless features 10 brand new tracks, recorded and mixed in London last year, primarily at James Ford’s studio in East London. The orchestra and backing vocals were recorded at The Church studio in North London.

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong – Day In Time CD/LP (No Coincidence)
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, a veritable tour de force known for turning heads coast-to-coast. Their high-octane live concerts not only grab life by the horns, but they harness its energy within their hypnotic hybrid of funk, rock and psychedelic groove. With a devout fanbase and trail of sold-out tours behind them, the band takes a major step forward on their seventh full-length offering, Day In Time. “This album is the most cohesive group of songs we’ve ever had in the studio”.

Four Tet – Three LP (Temporary Residence)
Three is the twelfth studio album by British electronic musician Four Tet.

Bodega – Our Brand Could Be YR Life  CD/LP (Chrysalis)
Sometimes you have to move backwards to move forward. Just ask punk cultural commentators Bodega, whose new album sees them carve a new future from fuzz-soaked, consumerism-skewering shards of their past. Our Brand Could Be YR Life is Bodega’s first album release through Chrysalis Records. “It’s something we’ve been wanting to do for years,” guitarist and vocalist Ben Hozie explains of Our Brand Could Be Yr Life – a collection of catchy indie-rock ruminations on the slow-creep of corporate-think into youth culture, first written eight years ago. “I think it’s our best- sounding record to date,” says Hozie, “It’s got dance-punk. There’s some shoegaze on there. There’s slacker rock on there. There’s psychedelic rock on there. R.E.M, too. We wanted to be another band in a long stream of missionaries, proselytizing a certain type of rock subculture,”

Corridor – Mimi CD/LP (Sub Pop)
You get older, you have a family, and you start to slow down—that’s how things are supposed to go, right? Not for Montreal band Corridor, who have returned on their fourth album, Mimi, with a sound and style that’s more widescreen and expansive than anything that’s preceded it. The follow-up to 2019’s Junior is a huge step forward for the band, as the members themselves have undergone the type of personal changes that accompany the passage of time; even as these eight songs reflect a newfound and contemplative maturity, however, Corridor are branching out more than ever with richly detailed music, resulting in a record that feels like a fresh break for a band that’s already established themselves as forward-thinkers. [Available on limited edition colored vinyl.]

Fat White Family – Forgiveness is Yours  CD/LP (Domino)
Fat White Family are back with the most sophisticated, vital and flamboyant creation of their career. The cult south-London band’s resplendent fourth album Forgiveness Is Yours, like everything they’ve done, has pushed them to the limits not only of their creative talent, but of their health, their sanity, their very existence.

Oren Ambarchi / Johan Berthling / Andreas Werliin – Ghost II LP (Drag City)
An utterly unique guitar/bass/drums triad: the guitar sounds like anything but a guitar; bass and drums simultaneously insistent and relaxed. Telepathic group-think opens a window to fresh fields of fusion: funk-jazz heads, polyrhythmic skeletons, ambient pastorals, post-kraut drones and shimmering soundtrack reveries. A music of sustained tension and deep atmosphere, marked by subtle, shifting dynamics playing out in an open sound field.

Patrice Rushen – REMIND ME: The Classic Elektra Recordings 1978-1984  LP (Strut)
Triple vinyl LP pressing. Strut present the first definitive retrospective of an icon of 1970s and ’80s soul, jazz and disco, Patrice Rushen, covering her peerless 6-year career with Elektra / Asylum from 1978 to 1984.

Open Mike Eagle – A Special Episode of (Artist Limited Series) [Reissue/2015] LP (Mello Music)
LIMITED EDITION – ART BY KIP DA FOG  Limited purple butterfly colored vinyl LP pressing.Los Angeles artist Open Mike Eagle’s A Special Episode Of takes on social pressures and emotional expectations in creative, entertaining, and relatable ways. Described as Art Rap, this follow up to Dark Comedy features production from Gold Panda, Exile and more, has been streamed over 20 million times.

Six Organs Of Admittance – Time is Glass CD/LP (Drag City)
Once again, Six Organs of Admittance showcases the intricate tangle of fingers on the fretboard and flash of lens flare slicing the air, as the future arcs 360 degrees around to become a part of the past as well. Oscillations in this glass bowl ripple outward eternally, but are rooted on the ground where all the creatures are moving and communing; humans too. An intimate cosmic expression.

Various – The Rough Guide to Murder Ballads LP (World Music Network)
From tales of jealous lovers to gunslinging outlaws and assassins, American roots music has long embraced the concept of the murder ballad. These seminal recordings offer an intriguing insight into this macabre genre which continues to be reinvented by musicians to this day

X-Ray Spex – Conscious Consumer Picture Disc LP (Do Yourself In)
Limited picture disc vinyl LP pressing. The sophomore and final studio album from punk icons – X-Ray Spex. The highly sought after album received a very limited CD only release in 1995 on Receiver Records in the UK and had been officially unavailable for 27 years until December 2023! The album reunited the iconic X-Ray Spex vocalist – Poly Styrene with original X-Ray Spex saxophonist – Lora Logic and bassist – Paul Dean, as well as guitar from Kula Shaker frontman Crispian Mills under his then pseudonym Red Spectre.

Laufey – Bewitched: Goddess Edition CD/LP/CASS (Laufey LLC)
Limited blue colored vinyl LP pressing. Includes booklet and board game. Goddess: Composer, singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Laufey continues her story with Bewitched: The Goddess Edition, an expanded version of her 2023 critically celebrated and GRAMMY-winning sophomore album. Since the release of Bewitched, Laufey has proven how staying true to oneself can result in creating a space where people can find themselves. Bewitched has been wildly successful around the world, appearing on multiple year-end best-of lists, sparking an immediately sold-out tour and reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Jazz charts.

Lonnie Smith – Afro-Desia [Reissue/1975] LP (Mr. Bongo)
The second in our Mr Bongo series opening the vault on classic recordings from the fabled Groove Merchant Records catalogue. This time the spotlight turns to the Hammond B3 organ maestro Lonnie Smith, as we proudly present a reissue of his cosmic jazz-funk journey, Afro-Desia. Originally released in 1975, this much-loved album was produced by Groove Merchant label owner Sonny Lester and features the mysterious ‘Compliments Of A Friend’ on guitar. Considering Smith was part of George Benson’s quartet in the ’60s, that not so discreet veil appears to have been lifted on who this ‘friend’ might be. However, presumably due to contractual reasons, Benson had to remain covert for this recording. The lineup doesn’t stop there though, with the likes of legendary bassist Ron Carter and Grammy award winning saxophonist Joe Lavano joining the outfit.

Chet Baker – Jazz Pearls LP (Diggers Factory)
“My Funny Valentine” was created for “Babes in Arms”, a Broadway musical of the 1930s. This song by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart is a classic, and Chet Baker’s interpretations will forever be part of musical history. This album features two unique vocal and instrumental interpretations of the same song, magnified by Chet’s fragile voice and gentle trumpet, as well as some great jazz standards.

Sonny Rollins – A Night At The Village Vanguard: The Complete Masters [Blue Note Tone Poet] [Reissue/1957] LP (Blue Note)
The Complete Masters expands legendary tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins’ tour- de-force 1957 live trio album to a 3-LP set on 180G vinyl as part of the Blue Note Tone Poet Series. Produced by Joe Harley, the album has been remastered from the never-before-used original analog master tapes by Kevin Gray and includes a booklet featuring never-before-seen Francis Wolff photos, insightful essays and a new interview with Rollins in conversation with Don Was.

Stars – Heart [Reissue/2003] LP (Last Gang Records)
Stars’ breakthrough sophomore album Heart was recorded in the bedroom of keyboard player Chris Seligman on Avenue Mont-Royal in Montreal and released in 2003. A description at the time pinned the band as more New Order and Saint Etienne than Smiths, and with male and female vocals, the band comes across as an electro-pop Belle & Sebastian. The New York Times praised the album as: “Lovely. Romantic. Devastating… words often used to describe the soothing sounds of Stars. Adjectives aside, one thing is for certain: Stars have a knack for writing gently devastating pop songs.”’

The Lostines – Meet The Lostines LP (Gar Hole Records)
Although recorded in the band’s hometown of New Orleans, Meet The Lostines – the full-length debut from songwriters Casey Jane Reece-Kaigler and Camille Wind Weatherford – is an album that charts its own geography. This is where the swampland meets the sock hop. Where golden-age rock & roll crosses paths with old-school country. Where timeless American roots music drops its anchor and climbs skyward, finding some balance between the earthy and the otherworldly. 

Neil Young – Fu##in’ Up CD/LP (Reprise)
From Neil’s sleeve notes: “Why do these old songs live so vividly now? They do to me.” Neil Young with Crazy Horse in all their “Ragged Glory”. Neil & The Horse have played together for over 50 years and the performances of these songs is a true highlight of that long relationship. 9 songs on 2 LPs, with the original song titles replaced with selected lyrics. (“Farmer John”, being a cover, retains it’s original title.) The album was recorded in 2023, with this line-up: Billy Talbot – Bass, vocal, Ralph Molina – Drums, vocal, Micah Nelson – Guitar, vocal, piano, Nils Lofgren – Guitar, vocal, piano, Neil Young – Guitar, vocal, harmonica. Neil: “In the spirit it’s offered… made this for the Horse lovers. I can’t stop it. The horse is runnin’. What a ride we have. I don’t want to mess with the vibe. I am so happy to have this to share.”

Coalesce – Functioning On Impatience [Reissue/1998] LP (Relapse)
Coalesce – 0:12 Revolution in Just Listening [Reissue/1999] LP (Relapse)
Coalesce – Give Them Rope [Reissue/1997] LP (Relapse)
Limited color vinyl reissues of the first three records from the Kansas City, Missouri-based metalcore band.

Owen – The Falls Of Sioux CD/LP (Polyvinyl)
On the new Owen album, The Falls of Sioux, Mike Kinsella (American Football, LIES, Cap’n Jazz) returns with the followup to 2020’s critically acclaimed album, The Avalanche, and delivers the most ambitious and varied album of his career. Recorded at Hive Studios in Eau Claire, WI + SHIRK Studios in Chicago, IL and produced by S. Carey, Zach Hanson and Mike Kinsella, The Falls of Sioux finds Kinsella taking risks like never before, both lyrically and musically. Featuring lavish string arrangements, vocal contributions from Cacie Dalager (Now, Now), Kinsella’s iconic guitar & drumming styles, and even a spoken word vignette, the album is an exciting departure from Kinsella’s previous work, while still retaining what makes Owen albums so fascinating and replayable.

They Might Be Giants – Here Comes the ABC’s [Reissue/2005] LP (Walt Disney Records)
Disney Sound has partnered with Grammy Award winning alternative rock legends They Might Be Giants to bring you a new imprint for Walt Disney Records designed to create original musical works by live artists the whole family can enjoy. HERE COMES THE ABC’S guarantees success with upbeat and contagious songs that make the alphabet fun and entertaining for children and parents.

COMING NEXT WEEK!
KAMASI WASHINGTON – Fearless Movement CD/LP
SIA – Reasonable Woman CD/LP
MDOU MOCTAR – Funeral For Justice CD/LP
JESSICA PRATT – Here In The Pitch CD/LP
CHARLOTTE DAY WILSON – Cyan Blue CD/LP
IBIBIO SOUND MACHINE – Pull The Rope LP
FRANK TURNER – Undefeated CD/LP
CAMERA OBSCURA – Look To The East Look To The West CD/LP
LEMON TWIGS – Dream Is All We Know CD/LP
WILLOW – Empathogen LP
KARATE BOOGALOO – Hold Your Horses CD/LP
BROADCAST – Spell Blanket CD/LP
HEALTH – Generations Edition: Disco 4 LP
MELANIE MARTINEZ – K-12 LP
LAUFEY – Typical Of Me LP
EMILY NENNI – Drive and Cry CD/LP
BLOC PARTY – High Life EP LP
HEARTLESS BASTARDS – Winter In The Blood Soundtrack LP
BOBBY HUTCHERSON – Total Eclipse LP (tone poet)
NOAH KAHAN – Cape Elizabeth LP
DUA LIPA – Radical Optimism LP
MATMOS – Return To Archive LP
DAVE MATTHEWS – Some Devil LP reissue
SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS – Perennial Favorites LP reissue
TSUNAMI BOMB – Definitive Act LP reissue
XIU XIU – Unclouded Sky LP reissue