My Top 5 New Releases :: New Music Friday :: Week of 5/2/16

1. Push + Pull :: July Talk

Three-Sentence Review: I have been anxiously and impatiently waiting for more music from July Talk – one of my all-time favorite bands. This is everything I wanted, and more – complex, lyrically sharp and evocative, catchy, addictive, and the blend and push and pull of Leah and Peter’s vocals are just…wow (not to mention the guitar and drum work here, too – just wow). I haven’t been able to stop pushing play on this song all week.

Initial Favorite Track(s): N/A (single)

Rating (1-5 Stars): 5+

Push + Pull

2. Stride by Stride :: Mount Holly

Three-Sentence Review: I discovered Mount Holly when they shared a Hotel Cafe residency with Jimmy Gnecco, and I was floored by what I heard. They blew me away live, and I’ve been anxious and impatiently awaiting music to be released of theirs. Great news that the band has been signed by Razor & Tie Music and this is their first single (and video) – watch this space for more news on their album – in the meantime, push play and get blown away, too.

Initial Favorite Track(s): N/A (single)

Rating (1-5 Stars): 5+

Stride by Stride

3. Resistor :: Lera Lynn

Three-Sentence Review: True Detective Season 2 was my introduction to the gorgeously deep-voiced, heartbreaking singer, Lera Lynn, and her songs that I could not stop listening to once introduced. She reminds me a little of Lana Del Rey, a little of Maria McKee, a little of PJ Harvey, a little of Emmylou Harris, and also a little of something that should be heavily soundtracked in the new season of Twin Peaks (seriously, she has David Lynch running somewhere in her veins, I can hear it).

Initial Favorite Track(s): What You Done, For the Last Time and Cut + Burn

Rating (1-5 Stars): 5

Cut + Burn

4. Hopelessness :: Anohni

Three-Sentence Review: Anohni, previously known as Antony Hegarty, of Antony and the Johnsons has a new, very politically driven project in Hopelessness, a musical protest album that is impactful, emotional and moving. Sonically this is a beautiful electro-pop, chamber-pop mixture of sound, and the vocals, she really brings these intricate songs (and messages) to a soaring life.

Initial Favorite Track(s): Drone Bomb Me, I Don’t Love You Anymore and 4 Degrees

Rating (1-5 Stars): 4+

4 Degrees

5. Washed Away :: Rooney

Three-Sentence Review: Seems appropriate that I move back to “The OC” this week and the band I discovered on The OC releases a new album. This is indie-pop, Summertime soundtrack goodness that is highly addictive and listenable. I’d forgotten how much I enjoy Rooney – these songs are reminding me just how much, and yay, love the collaboration they have done with Soko on the song Why.

Initial Favorite Track(s): All the Beautiful People, Why and My Heart Beats 4 U

Rating (1-5 Stars): 4

My Heart Beats 4 U