Album Cycle For May 2nd
My thoughts on some albums, full album list and playlist for Apple Music and Spotify
Happy Sunday!
It’s a big week for releases, at least for me. Many artists who appeared on my Top 200 lists in 2022 and 2023 are back with new albums this week. Artists like Blondshell, Jenny Hval, Sextile, and Pup. One of my all-time favorites, Suzanne Vega, is also returning after ten years. Additionally, there are new albums from Erasure’s Andy Bell, Car Seat Headrest, the drummer from Big Thief, and more.
Check out this week’s playlists on Apple Music and Spotify below. You’ll find my thoughts on some of these albums, along with the full album list.
HERE IS THE APPLE MUSIC PLAYLIST
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HERE are the shows that went on sale Friday
Blondshell - "If You Asked For A Picture"
Second album from alt-rocker Blondshell, which is a follow-up to her almost perfect self-titled debut from 2023. That album was Number 5 on my Top 200 album of 2023. Like the previous album, this one features catchy hooks, retro-alt-rock sounds (with a touch of Cranberries here and there), and very straightforward lyrics dealing with various themes. The last album reflected more on her current experiences, while this one explores the past.
The lyrics are where it’s not quite perfect for me—probably because I’m an older dude who can’t quite relate—but the songs are great, and the hooks are definitely there, especially on tracks like “23’s a Baby,” “T&A,” and “What’s Fair.” It’s a must-listen.
Briston Maroney — Jimmy, there is something there with Briston. He is obviously influenced by many great artists, and sometimes he nails it—for example, with the single “Tomatoes” and the epic, heartfelt “Be Yourself.” Sometimes he comes off like a young Beck (whereas the upcoming Car Seat Headrest sounds more like later Beck), such as on “Real Good Swimmer.” Most of this feels too all over the place, silly, and bratty for me, but sometimes he really connects.
Car Seat Headrest-The Scholars — I’ve never paid a lot of attention to Car Seat Headrest. Co-workers at the store will put him on sometimes, and it’s fine. I always think it sounds like Beck, though. I stage-managed his Maha performance and got to hang out with him a bit. He’s a really nice guy and obviously super talented. This album has a couple of really epic songs, like the lead track “CCF (I’m Going to Stay With You),” which has a Peter Gabriel vibe, and it’s a pretty joyful, driving, hook-filled song. “The Catastrophe (Good Luck With That, Man)” also has that quick, hook-filled, anthemic drive. There are a couple of pretty good mid-tempo songs, like “Deveraux” and “Equals,” that are quite enjoyable.
Then, at the end, there are two eleven-minute songs and an eighteen-minute song, which incorporate a lot of prog, classic rock, and other elements from eras of music that don’t appeal to me. They really drag, and ultimately, this album doesn’t work for me. However, there are people who would absolutely love this. I do really enjoy that lead single, “CCF,” though. Oh, is this a rock opera?
Carriers - Every Time I Feel Afraid- is the second album from Curt Kiser's project Carriers. It’s a very enjoyable listen that I think fans of The War on Drugs and Josh Rouse might appreciate. The album features nicely crafted songs with a variety of vibes, ranging from subtle slow-burn rock to light, airy, mid-tempo indie pop songs.
Esther Rose - Want
This is Esther’s fifth album and a follow-up to her 2023 release, the very good Safe to Run. I have listened to this quite a bit this week and am really enjoying it. She quit drinking before recording this album, so unlike the Blondshell album, there are aspects of the songwriting and sentiment here that I personally relate to, especially on the song “Had To.” It's a pretty straightforward singer-songwriter style, with touches of Americana and a bit of twang. I think she started out more as a country singer. Fans of Waxahatchee may enjoy this album. It is very good.
James Krivchenia - Performing Belief
James Krivchenia is the drummer from Big Thief, and he also produced their last album. So, he’s no slouch musically. This is his third solo album. It won’t be for everyone—or even for many people. It’s a mix of electronic sounds, field recordings, and percussion. He has stated that it’s a marriage of nature and electronics. For example, he recorded sounds like a river or pounding on a dead log (though I don’t know exactly what he recorded—just the concept) and incorporated these into the music with synths and other elements. Overall, it’s a very listenable instrumental album with lots of avant-garde flourishes and experimental moments. “Bracelets For Unicorns” is absolutely wonderful—jazz-like and rhythmic. Some parts are a little too hippy for my taste, but overall, it’s a very good listen if you enjoy this kind of music.
Andy Bell – Ten Crowns
This is Andy Bell from Erasure, not Ride. I’m a huge Erasure fan and was looking forward to this album, but I also expected it to be quite campy. It definitely has more of a dramatic flair, and the lyrics are not exactly inspiring, but if you’re a fan, Andy is in great voice, and there are some catchy, infectious songs on here. Overall, it’s not an album I’d pull out often—even as a fan. It’s receiving better reviews than I would give it, so who knows? It’s a bit much on the drama in many places for my taste.
Jenny Hval – Iris Silver Mist
If you thought the James Krivchenia description was odd, here’s another one. Norwegian singer-songwriter Jenny Hval’s new album is supposed to evoke a sense of smell. That’s how the album is written, and I don’t quite get it, but I absolutely love the album. Hval has been releasing albums for quite a while, and I really connected with her on the last one, especially the song “Year of Love.” I still remember where I was and how that song made me feel the first time I heard it. Maybe she can evoke things.
This is a very experimental album and definitely one to sit down and focus on. On the second listen, it once again connected with me in a big way. It ebbs and flows with electronic beats on tracks like “The Artist is Absent,” a beautiful instrumental called “Spirit Mist,” and more traditional songs such as “To Be A Rose,” which I think is the standout so far. Not for everyone, but if you can connect with this, you’re in for a treat.
Lael Neale – Altogether Stranger
I really enjoyed her 2021 album Acquainted With The Night and just discovered that she released a new album in 2023 that I somehow missed. This new album is very good. She has a modern sound that incorporates a lot of retro elements—echoey twang, torchy vibes, Casio-style synth beats, and organ sounds. It’s all very listenable, although she’s a bit off the beaten path compared to other singer-songwriters. I’m looking forward to spending more time with this and revisiting her previous album as well.
Mei Semones – Dumb Feeling
When Hippo Campus came to Omaha in February, I looked up the opening act, Mei Semones, and was very intrigued by what I heard. She’s a singer-songwriter with quirky jazz guitar, and I thought, “This could be big.” Young people and others are embracing a jazz-influenced sound with artists like Laufey, and I think Mei has that same youthful appeal. Who knows what will happen, but I really believe if more people hear this, it could take off.
This is her debut album, and it features a blend of indie rock and jazz, with a mix of English and Japanese lyrics—though the music almost feels French to me. Check it out.
Model/Actriz – Piroette
This is the second album from the dark synth post-punk band. Their first album was very talky, dark, and a little aggressive. This new album finds the band singing more, and maybe I have Andy Bell of Erasure on the brain, but he sounds like him if he were fronting a much darker band. The band still maintains their ominous, foreboding vibe—don’t worry—but this is an interesting twist I didn’t expect. I really regret not seeing this band when they came to town.
PUP – Who Will Look After The Dogs?
Pup is back with a fun album of sing-along, poppy punk songs that are not exactly pop punk. Jeff Rosenstock guests on the record.
Samantha Crain – Gumshoe
I believe this is Samantha’s seventh album? I really enjoyed her previous release, A Small Death. On the first listen, this album also sounds good—I need to spend more time with it. It’s pretty straight indie pop singer-songwriter fare. She has a show coming up at Reverb Lounge soon.
Sextile – Yes, Please
Their last album, Push, was kind of a reset for the band, who are now a duo. They embraced more of an old-school techno sound, with repetitive vocals and vintage beats. Yes, Please is more of that, but also a more focused album that clearly knows where they want to go musically. It’s a whole lot of dark fun, with fast-paced music, big beats, and slogans. Some of us have seen the band on multiple tours over the years, but they absolutely stole the show from Molchat Doma on their last tour. If you enjoyed that, this album will likely appeal to you in a big way.
Suzanne Vega – Flying With Angels
This is the singer-songwriter’s ninth or tenth album and her first in about eleven years—way too long. This album is a nice addition to her catalog, and if you’re a fan, you’ll enjoy it a lot. It’s pretty standard fare for her, though some songs like “Witch” have a more driving electronic feel. She’s dabbled with industrial sounds in the past, and this is the closest she’s come here. She explores soul on “Love Thief” and alternative rock on “Lucinda.”
The song that initially stood out was “Chambermaid,” as it’s a blatant rip-off of Bob Dylan’s “I Want You.” It’s essentially the same song with different lyrics. Fortunately, I had the physical CD and could read the liner notes, which revealed it’s a reinterpretation of that track.
If you don’t know Suzanne Vega’s catalog, I highly recommend exploring her earlier work, especially 99.9F. When you’re a fan, come back to this album and enjoy it.
I also added songs from Sentries and Teether to the playlist. They’re late additions that sound interesting, but I haven’t had a chance to dig into them yet.
Full Album List
Andy Bell – Ten Crowns
Black Honey Cult – Black Honey Cult
Bleed – Bleed
Blondshell – If You Asked for a Picture
Briston Maroney – JIMMY
Car Seat Headrest – The Scholars
Carriers – Every Time I Feel Afraid
Clem Snide – Oh Smokey
Club Night – Joy Coming Down
Eli Winter – A Trick of the Light
Eric Church – Evangeline vs. The Machine
Esther Rose – Want
The Flower Kings – LOVE
Gringo Star – Sweethearts
James Krivchenia - Performing Belie
Jenny Hval – I Want To Be A Machine
Josh Groban – Gems
Key Glock – Glockaveli
Lael Neale – Altogether Stranger
Låpsley – I’m a Hurricane and I’m a Woman in Love
Lights – A6
Lucius – Lucius
Maddie & Tae – Love & Light
Mei Semones – Animaru
Model/Actriz – Pirouette
Nightfall – Children of Eve
Personality Cult – Dilated
Pet Symmetry – Big Symmetry
Propagandhi – At Peace
Puddle of Mudd – Kiss the Machine
PUP – Who Will Look After The Dogs?
Pyramids – Pythagoras
Sally Potter – ANATOMY
Samantha Crain – Gumshoe
Sextile – yes, please.
Suzanne Vega – Flying With Angels
Teether and Kuya Neil – YEARN IV
Yung Lean – Jonatan
Yusuf / Cat Stevens – Saturnight: Live From Tok