A New Month, A New Me
I don't know about you folks, but I feel like I've been bombarded this month with new movies I need to see (but of course still haven't made the time to see) and new books to read and new shows to keep up with. What stuck out to me though are all the incredible new albums that came out this month (or which popped up new-to-me), so because I just have way too many good grooves to keep to myself, today's ANM will be all about music.
Grab your headphones and let's get to it!
For joy: Free Yourself Up - Lake Street Dive
This band came out of nowhere for me late last year and once I discovered they were releasing a new album I literally put the date on my calendar. That's how excited I was to hear new music and boy did they not disappoint. This album maintains their jazzy, folky, groovy mood and killer vocals (I mean come on, what devil do I have to make a deal with to have pipes like hers??) and I couldn't be happier with it. It's so rare for me to find new bands these days that really do keep impressing me with album after album of solid tracks, but these folks here are the real deal. They record in studio together as a team and it shows. So many of these songs sound like they're done in a single take with everyone together on the exact same page. They're really something special to pay attention to. Personally I can't get enough of I Can Change and Musta Been Something so if you're feeling moody, definitely start with those two. They'll get ya right in the feels.
For play: Good Thing - Leon Bridges
Where his first album was reminiscent of the early days of R & B, Leon Bridges graduates in his newest venture to the groovy, sexy feel of the 70s and 80s. On first listen I wasn't totally into it - expecting to be transported to a classier, softer era. But I replayed and replayed and replayed (like I do) and started catching myself dancing around like a maniac in the kitchen (to the horror of my cat) to the infectious beat of If It Feels Good (Then It Must Be) and You Don't Know. I guarantee you will be unable to sit still or stay in a grouchy mood with those tracks tickling your ear drums.
For chillaxing: Part Of The Light - Ray LaMontagne
I've been a passive fan of Ray since I was in high school. There's something so dreamy and soft and humble, but powerful and soulful about his music that I always find myself drawn to. This album is more of the same cozy, familiar tone that I've grown to love. I would almost swear the opening track was actually Simon and Garfunkel, and the blues-infused No Answer Arrives surprised me and kept me coming back for more listens. The lazy rhythm of It's Always Been You somehow complements, rather than hinders, the innocent sincerity of the lyrics. It reads like a love poem written in the throes of teen romance, but it sounds like a hazy dream of the idyllic "True Love" that we all secretly hope to find. Highly recommended listening for a chill night at home with a good book.
For productivity: I See You (Deluxe) - The Xx
First off, allow me to geek out that I just discovered that the physical album cover is mirrored...so you literally see you when you look at it. How fucking clever is that? I digress... The reality is that this album sank its hooks into me on the first listen and I didn't even realize it until I looked at my Alexa playlist history and saw it pop up over and over and over again. Even though this album came out last year, it slipped right past me so I only came across it recently. It has this understated, droning quality that sounds like it would bore you saying it that way, but when you listen you'll understand. It's the perfect background album for getting things done around the house or cruising through a project at work. The synthy Seasons Run grabbed me immediately with its oddly perfect, lazy syncopated rhythm that somehow makes the song sound sharper. The first track is an interesting jump-off point that sounds more like their previous work, but they don't take long to show you how they've evolved.
For anytime: So Long, Forever - Palace
I'm not sure what it is about this album that gets me, and embarrassingly I can't remember how I even came across it. There's something so lovely about the melodies, the whole album feels like a dream to me. A bit reminiscent of early Coldplay, this no-fuss, easy sound is just so damn pleasant. The songs drift through the back of my mind all day, I find myself always humming along, it's just a great album. The title track is up there for my favorite with its running, steady rhythm. It feels like it's going someplace with purpose and taking me along for the ride. The mourning guitar tones in Break the Silence put me in mind of some lonely shore, but the peppy bridge and chorus really drive you into the overall sound of the album and it sets the mood nicely. Hard to describe, but give it a whirl; it might surprise you.
Happy listening, folks! Let me know what you're loving (or hating, or meh-ing) in the comments!