Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of July 21, 2017. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
–Featured Release: Lana Del Rey – “Lust For Life”–
Genre: Indie-Pop // Label: Interscope
Background:
Lana Del Rey’s career got off to a blazing hot start with Born To Die, and despite the subsequent cool off, she’s still a household name in indie-pop. Ultraviolence was a sultry, dreamlike follow-up that ultimately proved worthwhile, but Honeymoon drew considerably less appeal from fans and critics alike. Her style hasn’t changed much across the board, which might begin to explain the diminishing return. With Lust For Life, she vies to recapture some of that initial luster. For a taste of what is to come, check out her collaboration with The Weeknd below.
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of July 14, 2017. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors.
– List of Releases: July 14, 2017 –
Bloodclot: Up In Arms
Genre: Metal/Hard Rock // Label: Metal Blade Records
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Boris: Dear
Genre: Drone/Doom Metal // Label: Sargent House
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of July 7, 2017. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
–Featured Release: Broken Social Scene – “Hug of Thunder”–
Genre: Indie Rock/Experimental // Label: Arts & Crafts
Background:
After a seven year layover, Broken Social Scene has returned with all fifteen of its original members. Hug of Thunder marks the follow-up to 2010’s Forgiveness Rock Record, as the band reunites for what Kevin Drew summarized as “…since we’re an anthemic band, we wanted to bring the celebration…It was important for all of us to come together because it’s the only thing we can politically do at this moment in time.” To date, four songs from the record have been officially released, but you can now also stream the whole album via NPR [see below link].
Here’s a list of major new releases for the weeks of June 16-30 of 2017. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors.
16 June
Alison Moyet: Other
2 Chainz: Pretty Girls Like Trap Music
Arcadea: Arcadea
Bad Cop/Bad Cop: Warriors
Barb Wire Dolls: Rub My Mind
B Boys: Dada
Beth Ditto: Fake Sugar
Big Boi: Boomiverse
Broadside: Paradise
Carach Angren: Dance And Laugh Amongst The Rotten
Cavernlight: As We Cup Our Hands And Drink From The Stream Of Our Ache
Chief Keef: Thot Breaker
Chuck Berry: Chuck
CKY: The Phoenix
Com Truise: Iteration
Currents: The Place I Feel Safest
Dead Head: Swine Plague
Doll Skin: Manic Pixie Dream Girl
The Drums: Abysmal Thoughts
Elegy of Madness: New Era
Entrails: World Inferno
Fleet Foxes: Crack Up
Gaytheist: Let’s Jam Again Soon
House and Land: House and Land
Hundredth: Rare
Iced Earth: Incorruptible
Igorrr: Savage Sinusoid
Impetuous Ritual: Blight Upon Martyred Sentience
Jefre Cantu-Ledesma: On The Echoing Green
Kevin Morby: City Music
Lorde: Melodrama
Matthew Sweet: Tomorrow Forever
Michael Nau: Some Twist
Oh Wonder: Oh Wonder
Palehound: A Place I’ll Always Go
Peaking Lights: The Fifth State Of Consciousness
Portugal. The Man: Woodstock
Ride: Weather Diaries
Royal Blood: How Did…
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of June 9, 2017. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
–Featured Release: Sufjan Stevens, Bryce Dressner, Nico Muhly, and James McAlister – “Planetarium”–
In 2013, Sufjan Stevens joined up with Nico Muhly, James McAlister, and The National’s Bryce Dressner to create a composition thematically centered around our solar system (I guess he is too big for states now). To date only performed in a live setting (the piece was debuted at Brooklyn Academy of Music over a multi-night span), it is finally being released as an official recording on June 9 via 4AD. It’s pretty much the most hipster thing ever.
Listen to the project’s single “Mercury”:
– Full List of Releases: June 2, 2017 –
Agent Blå: Agent Blue
Genre: Indie/Lo-fi // Label: Kanine Records
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Anathema: The Optimist
Genre: Progressive Rock/Doom Metal // Label: kscope
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Barrabus: Barrabus
Genre: Hard Rock/Metal // Label: Undergroove
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of June 2, 2017. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
Alt-J have become one of indie-rock’s surging experimental acts, thanks to their extremely well-received debut An Awesome Wave as well as their more divisive – but equally impressive – sophomore effort This Is All Yours. If the singles are any indication, RELAXER will further the band’s legacy as innovators within their genre, expounding upon the brand of downtempo art-pop that illuminated sections of 2014’s This Is All Yours. It feels like a defining moment for a band that continues to stretch the confines of its own comfort zone, joining a rather exclusive arena of indie’s most respected, forward-thinking artists. Sink into the record’s lead single, ‘3WW’, for a taste of what is on the horizon.
Listen to Alt-J’s “3WW”:
– Full List of Releases: June 2, 2017 –
Adrenaline Mob: We The People
Genre: Hard Rock/Heavy Metal // Label: Century Media
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of May 26, 2017. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
– Full List of Releases: May 26, 2017 –
8kids: Denen Die Wir Waren
Genre: Hard Rock/Metal // Label: Napalm
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Alestorm: No Grave But The Sea
Genre: Power Metal/Folk // Label: Napalm
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The Charlatans [UK]: Different Days
Genre: Alternative Rock // Label: BMG Rights Management
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Collide: Color of Nothing
Genre: Electronic/Industrial // Label: Independent
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Danzig: Black Laden Crown
Genre: Doom/Gothic Metal // Label: Nuclear Blast
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Dream Evil: Six
Genre: Power/Heavy Metal // Label: Century Media
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Evo: Warfare
Genre: Punk/Metal// Label: High Roller
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Football, etc: Corner
Genre: Emo/Indie-Rock // Label: Community Records
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of May 19, 2017. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
–Featured Release: Linkin Park: “One More Light”–
Genre: Pop // Label: Warner Bros.
Background:
If you ever – whilst wandering the halls of your middle school in 2000, blasting “Papercut” into one of your earbuds – wondered what Linkin Park would sound like in the year 2017, you would have likely envisioned every scenario except what we’re actually presented with here. A transition away from nu-metal and into straightforward rock? Seems plausible. Electronic experimentation? Sure, why not. Melodic pop…Ehh what? Linkin Park are using their seventh full-length LP to explore the boundaries of their pop abilities, and regardless of the fact that this will in all likelihood be really good or really bad – with little wiggle room in between – One More Light is sure to be the talk of most musical circles this week for better or worse. It’s entirely possible that the members of Linkin Park resurrect their stagnant musical careers with this 180 degree departure, but it had better be damned good. Otherwise, it will be all too easy for them to plummet from stagnant to the laughingstock of…
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of May 12, 2017. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
–Featured Release: Paramore: “After Laughter”–
Genre: Pop-Rock/Punk // Label: WEA/Fueled by Ramen
Background:
2013 saw what many claimed to be the demise of Paramore: their pop-leaning, self-titled fourth LP Paramore that was also the first to forego the presence of the Farro brothers. Even though the pair left on less-than-amicable terms back in 2010 following the release of Brand New Eyes, drummer Zac Farro has returned to reconcile the new trio consisting of Hayley Williams, Taylor York, and Zac Farro. The homecoming has sparked some optimism around the future of the band, despite the fact that they continue to push mainstream pop frontiers as their pop-punk roots fade even further into the rear view mirror. Like it or not, this is very much Hayley Williams’ band and regardless of the dismay that Paramore was met with among longtime fans, the record was a commercial success. They have no reason to alter their course for After Laughter; expect a solid pop-rock record (heavy on the pop) with a handful of earworm singles to bolster it on the radio. …
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of May 5, 2017. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
–Featured Release: The Afghan Whigs: “In Spades”–
Genre: Indie-Rock/Grunge/Alt-Rock // Label: Sub Pop Records
Background:
The Afghan Whigs returned to the scene after 16 years back in 2014 with Do To The Beast, an album that proved the band’s return was more than just a feel-good reunion. Playing some of their best music, the record found its way onto many rock fan’s best of 2014 lists. With In Spades, the band keeps that momentum rolling with what feels like an even bigger record. The Afghan Whigs’ latest sees them hitting their stride full speed, creating a through-and-through rock album with plenty of eastern influence. The band has been around long enough now to know when to use restraint, and In Spades feels like the ideal balance of riff-filled, in-your-face rockers and quieter, more reserved ballads. Modern rock bands everywhere should take note of The Afghan Whigs, because this is what the genre should sound like in 2017.
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of April 28, 2017. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
It’s been 7 years since Gorillaz dropped Plastic Beach and The Fall, and the demand for a new record from these guys probably couldn’t be any higher than it is at this point. With a handful of new tracks already released to varying levels of acclaim, the virtual quartet seems primed to cast all other mainstream releases under its shadow this week. With Humanz – an album that paints a fresh gleam on the group’s core sound – has them entering the chaotic and uncertain times of 2017 sounding both vibrant and purpose-driven. Time will tell if it lives up to the best Gorillaz albums, but no matter what it will be an interesting listen worthy of just about anyone’s time.
Listen to “Ascension” below:
– Full List of Releases: April 28, 2017 –
Aethere: Adrift
Genre: Death/Progressive Metal // Label: Tragic Hero
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All That Remains: Madness
Genre: Metalcore // Label: Razor & Tie
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of April 21, 2017. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
–Featured Release: Woods: “Love Is Love”–
Genre: Indie-Folk/Psychedelic // Label: Woodsist
Background:
Woods have evolved quite a bit since they first formed twelve years ago, slowly turning their minimal indie-folk approach into more of an elaborate, psychedelic experience. With Love Is Love, the band continues trekking down that path with the added thematic twist of some post-election themes that the band has cited as their primary inspiration for creating the LP. Just one year after the release of City Sun Eater In The River Of Light, Woods figure to once again make a splash in indie, psychedelic, and folk circles as they continue to emerge as a prominent leader within their musical niche.
Listen to the title track below:
– Full List of Releases: April 21, 2017 –
Ancient Ascendant: Raise The Torch
Genre: Death/Black Metal // Label: Spinefarm/Candlelight
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Angaleena Presley: Wrangled
Genre: Country // Label: Mining Light Music
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of April 14, 2017. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
DAMN. marks Lamar’s first extended release since last year’s collection of demos (untitled unmastered), and his first formal album since 2015’s To Pimp a Butterfly. Unlike past releases that have featured a host of impressive guest musicians, DAMN. has only three announced guest stars: U2, Rihanna, and Zacari – setting this record up to perhaps be his most straightforward, down-to-earth unveiling. For an artist of Kendrick’s stature, DAMN. makes for an automatically required listen. Garnering critical acclaim throughout his career, particularly with good kid, m.A.A.d city and To Pimp a Butterfly, Lamar figures to keep a firm grasp on his reign atop hip-hop/rap with this latest record.
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of April 7, 2017. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
–Featured Release: Father John Misty: “Pure Comedy”–
Genre: Indie-Folk/Americana // Label: Sub Pop Records
Background:
Few artists have enjoyed as much hype and general chatter surrounding a new release as Father John Misty in 2017. On the heels of 2015’s hit album I Love You, Honeybear, this week we will observe an even darker and more theatrical side of Josh Tillman. Embracing the piano and his penchant for sarcasm-riddled balladry, Pure Comedy offers a very different, often bitter view on mankind. Certain to be divisive (seeming the only way he knows), we’re not sure quite what to expect from this 74-minute behemoth of an album. All we know is that it is going to be talked about. A lot.
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of March 31, 2017. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
–Featured Release: Mastodon: “Emperor of Sand”–
Genre: Sludge/Progressive Metal // Label: Reprise Records
Background:
Sludge/progressive staples Mastodon are returning this Friday with their 7th LP, the follow-up to 2014’s Once More ‘Round The Sun. The record was again produced by Brendan O’Brien, whose work with the band dates back to their groundbreaking 2009 release Crack The Skye. According to drummer Brann Dailor, Emperor of Sand‘s themes revolve around one’s mortality — something that was inspired by them witnessing multiple family members and close friends undergo cancer diagnoses in recent years. You can hear the lead single, “Sultan’s Curse”, below:
![Lust For Life [Explicit]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51a3mjf6j2L._SS500.jpg)
![Times Infinity Volume Two [Explicit]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51X4L4k96iL._SS500.jpg)
![Nightmare Future [Explicit]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/612Qz-FyAyL._SS500.jpg)
![Agent Blue [Explicit]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51W-WBvh91L._SS500.jpg)
![Barrabus [Explicit]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41ywLrFDfoL._SS500.jpg)
…
![Last Young Renegade [Explicit]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/612F1RQte3L._SS500.jpg)
![Black Laden Crown [Explicit]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61ZiKzrISyL._SS500.jpg)
