My Top 5 New Releases :: New Music Friday :: Week of 1/29/16

1. Wild Stab :: The I Don’t Cares

Three-Sentence Review: So, I was fated to fall hard for this album – I mean, how could I not, a duet record from Paul Westerberg and Juliana Hatfield – that’s just brilliance waiting for me to throw my arms, and ears around. This album is jangly, catchy, bittersweet lyrical reveries that I can’t get enough of. I feel like I’m making out with the 90’s and going all the way with the here (hear) an now.

Initial Favorite Track(s): Wear Me Out Loud, 1/2 2P and King of America

Rating (1-5 Stars): 5+

1/2 2P :: The I Don’t Cares

2. This is Acting :: Sia

Three-Sentence Review: I’ve been anticipating this album, and listening (and loving) each single as they have been released (especially Bird Set Free). Sia’s voice burrows its way under my skin and deep into my organs and veins, making my insides spin and my feelings go inside out, causing a near visceral reaction to each song. There are songs that have already become part of my interior feelings-fray, and others that need time to grow on, and in me, but I am full of big love for This is Acting already.

Initial Favorite Track(s): Bird Set Free, One Million Bullets and Space Between

Rating (1-5 Stars): 5

Bird Set Free

3. Hyms :: Bloc Party

Three-Sentence Review: Back in the early aughts I fell hard for a couple of bands from across the pond that became definitive of my life at the time, bands whose songs hit on memories and emotions that immediately bring me back to who I was and all the complicated ways I was feeling back then – Bloc Party is one of those bands (especially This Modern Love). Hymns has come around just when I needed it, just when I was missing Bloc Party, and just when I am going through another complicated time in my life. Reminiscent of their earlier sounds, but evolved as well, electronically and lyrically, there seems to have been some internal changes within the hearts (and music) of the band, ones I’m feeling just as deeply as the first time we shared a “modern love”.

Initial Favorite Track(s): The Love Within, My True Name and Exes

Rating (1-5 Stars): 5

Exes

4. Fever Daydream :: The Black Queen

Three-Sentence Review: Filled with gothy-goodness and darkwave/industrial sensibilities, at one moment I find myself thinking Nine Inch Nails, at other times Shriekback and This Mortal Coil, as well as some trip-hop the likes of Tricky, Massive Attack and Portishead, and some 80’s New Wave the likes of Depeche Mode and Soft Cell. Some of the songs on this album make the hairs on my skin stand at attention, and pin-prickle reactions to dance up my spine (a damn good reaction, if you ask me). This album has me enraptured and engaged – completely.

Initial Favorite Track(s): The End Where We Start, That Death Cannot Touch and Distanced

Rating (1-5 Stars): 5

The End Where We Start

4. Promise :: Emily Wells

Three-Sentence Review: An album that begins with a song called Los Angeles will certainly grab hold of my attention. Mellow and melancholic, this is a slow burn of an album that I have on simmer right now, but I know may be singeing and stinging me soon. I want to hear these songs live, in a venue with amazing acoustics, especially the song Don’t Use Me Up, as I think these songs would be heartbreakingly gorgeous heard live.

Initial Favorite Track(s): Los Angeles, Don’t Use Me Up and Take it Easy 

Rating (1-5 Stars): 4

Don’t Use Me Up (live)
Editor’s note :: see what I mean?