My Top 5 New Releases :: New Music Friday :: April 14, 2017
It’s New Music Friday and the Best New Releases of the Week await you here to read about and Press Play to listen to select Tracks from My Top 5 New Releases for Today. I’ve made my way through the New Releases, Albums and Singles both, and come up with the Best of the Best so you don’t miss a thing. So, have a seat, at home, at the office, in the car, or out in the world somewhere, and have a listen to these Top 5 Best New Releases. If you like what you hear, go now go and support the art and the artists, buy an Album, or a Single, and go see some of these New Releases played live.
I would love to hear what you think of the selected songs, and album titles. Is there a New Music Release that you feel should be on this list?
Comment below and let me know what you think.
Top 5 New Releases:
1. “Battle Cry” :: Jack White
Three-Sentence Review: Almost completely instrumental (sans a few “Hey’s!), Jack White’s Surprise Single release feels like rallying for Battle. Rumor has it that this is a Sonic Teaser for the Third Solo Album White is recording currently, in Nashville. Whether its a Teaser Tune, or a One-Off Single, its always great to have new Jack White Music to spin.
Initial Favorite Track(s): N/A (Single)
Rating (1-5 Stars): 5
“Battle Cry”
2. Forever and Then Some :: Lillie Mae
Three-Sentence Review: Speaking of Jack White, Lillie Mae’s New Album was Produced by Jack and released on Third Man Records – Americana meets Country meets Folk meets Blues, with a dash of Indie dipping into each of those genres, this is an Album to hear, and Lillie Mae is an Artist to keep an eye, and ear, on. Lillie has been a Musician since she was 3-years old, and you can hear the Years in these Songs, even if Lillie doesn’t have that many years of life yet. My Favorites on the Album are the confessional, storytelling songs that veer more towards Acoustic/Singer-Songwriter territory (see “Loaner”), though when the Honky Tonk kicks in, its damn good, too (see “These Days” and “To Go Wrong”).
Initial Favorite Track(s): “Over the Hill and Through the Woods”, “Loaner”, and “Forever and Then Some”
Rating (1-5 Stars): 5
“Over the Hill and Through the Woods”
3. “Lights Out” :: Royal Blood
Three-Sentence Review: A confirmed Pre-New-Album, Teaser Single, Royal Blood’s “Lights Out” has everything that attracted me to the band’s 2014 Self-Titled Album in the first place, plus, a little something extra. There is an 80’s Heavy Metal/Rock feel here, a wee kiss of Glam, all mixed in with a unique, Now, Royal Blood sound. Listening to this Single, Played Loudly, makes me want to see and hear them Live.
Initial Favorite Track(s): N/A (Single)
Rating (1-5 Stars): 4+
“Lights Out”
4. Waiting a Lifetime :: Splashh
Three-Sentence Review: My first listen thought was the early Aughts band Rooney, and the TV Series that aired around the same time, The OC, as this Band and Album reminds me of the Music that used to be a staple on that TV Series’ Soundtrack. This isn’t an insult though, on the contrary, I discovered quite a few Bands via the Music Director on that show, though, I suppose slapping a Teen TV show comparison right off the back isn’t the most Edgy or Unique thing. The Album is strongest when it hits at the Dream Pop 1992 influences that also prevail here, especially on the Songs “Closer” and “No. 1 Song in Hell”.
Initial Favorite Track(s): “Waiting a Lifetime”, “Closer”, and “No. 1 Song in Hell”
Rating (1-5 Stars): 4
“Waiting a Lifetime”
5. Love and Murder :: Leslie Mendelson
Three-Sentence Review: A Singer-Songwriter infused collections of Songs that weave Stories about love and loss, with a Carole King and Rickie Lee Jones inspired sensibility, and a side dose of Lana Del Rey and Lera Lynn. At times this Album sounds like it could have been one I plucked out of my Mom’s Vinyl when I was a kid, so full of that 70’s Folk genre, at other times there is hints of something darker, and more now (see the Lana and Lera doses I mentioned). These Songs are filled with the kind of sadness that a broken heart brings, shading everything in a dark hue, but in a melodic way.
Initial Favorite Track(s): “Coney Island”, “Murder Me”, and “The Circus is Coming”
Rating (1-5 Stars): 4
“Murder Me”