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:
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of March 24, 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: Mount Eerie: “A Crow Looked at Me”–
Genre: Lo-Fi/Indie-Folk // Label: P.W. Elverum & Sun
Background:
Phil Elverum’s latest release is a heartbreaking tribute to his late wife, Geneviève Castrée, who died last summer from pancreatic cancer. Beginning with the lines “Death is real / Someone’s there and then they’re not/ And it’s not for singing about / It’s not for making into art”, A Crow Looked At Me sees Elverum grapple with the departure of his spouse and the life he once shared with her. Joining recent peers like Sufjan Stevens (Carrie & Lowell) and Nick Cave (Skeleton Tree), Mount Eerie’s 2017 LP is a marvel to behold, even as its creator writes from a place that none of us ever hope to venture to or endure.
– Full List of Releases: March 24, 2017 –
Art Of Anarchy: The Madness
Genre: Alt/Hard Rock // Label: Century Media Records
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of March 17, 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.
Four years after Delta Machine, the fathers of electronic post-punk – Depeche Mode – have returned with their most politically charged record to date. It’s angry, bleak, and powerful. Most of all, it is aware of the times we live in and feels like a representation of this troubled era – at times even literally calling for revolution. The album drops tomorrow, but those who haven’t heard a glimpse of what Spirit has to offer should do themselves the favor of listening to “Where’s The Revolution” below:
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of March 10, 2017. Boxer Calvin Klein 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 Shins: “Heartworms”–
Genre: Indie-Pop // Label: Columbia Records
Background:
The Shins have long been a cornerstone of their genre, going all the way back to their 2001 smash hit “New Slang” from Oh, Inverted World. You could fashion a convincing argument that the band peaked too early, as we’ve yet to really see them top that album which helped launch new millennium indie-pop. Chutes Too Narrow and Wincing The Night Away both proved to be worthy entries in their own right, but more recently, Port of Morrow saw the group at its most commercial and least appealing from an artistic standpoint. Calvin Klein Slip Everything about Heartworms screams for a return to form, from the classic indie-as-hell artwork to the singles released in advance of the record. The question of whether or not it is a ploy or a triumph remains to be answered however – an opinion that you can begin to form by streaming “Dead Alive” below.
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of March 3, 2017. Slip Calvin Klein Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. Bragas Calvin Klein Baratas 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: Dia Frampton: “Bruises”–
Genre: Indie-Pop // Label: Nettwerk Music Group
Background:
Dia Frampton releases her long-awaited follow up to 2011’s Red, a pointedly under the radar indie-pop release that drew critical praise. Tanga Calvin Klein MujerBruises offers hauntingly beautiful atmospheres and vocals, continuing her upward trajectory as a songwriter to keep an eye [and an ear] on.
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of February 24, 2017. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. Calvin Klein Tanga 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.
Genre: Indie-Rock/Experimental // Label: Domino Recording Co Ltd
Background:
For a decade now, Brooklyn-based experimental rockers Dirty Projectors have been providing an unconventional listening experience. Their penchant for throwing odd time signatures, thumping bass lines, mesmerizing vocals, and electronic elements into a blender and seeing what comes out the other side has yielded surprisingly consistent results – especially considering their brazen exploration of any and all things weird. Bitte Orca became one of their most well received albums in 2009. Boxer Calvin Klein Al Mayor After developing some pop sensibilitiesto match their burgeoning experimental energy with 2012’s Swing Lo Magellan, their music became the perfect blend of what was interesting and what made sense. The band’s self-titled record not only marks another step in that direction, but it also makes a hefty push towards the artsy offerings of peers like Justin Vernon.
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of February 17, 2017. Tangas Calvin Klein Baratos Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. Calvin Klein Ropa Interior Hombre 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: February 17, 2017 –
The Away Days: Dreamed at Dawn Genre: Indie-Pop // Label: Pasaj
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Battle Beast: Bringer Of Pain Genre: Heavy Metal // Label: Nuclear Blast
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of February 10, 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: Teen Daze: “Themes for Dying Earth”–
Genre: Electronic/Ambient Dream Pop // Label: Flora
Background:
“Pastoral Ambience” is how many have referred to Teen Daze’s sound; a fusion of ethereal pop vocals with layered synths, sampled sounds, and heavily filtered acoustics. If Jamison Isaak and his surrounding project earned this reputation on 2013’s Glacier, then the latest offering is sure to cement their niche as one of the most gorgeous-sounding ambient indie-pop acts around. With tightly crafted hooks and subtle remnants of chillwave and shoegaze flowing effortlessly, Themes for Dying Earth is an album you should probably listen to while laying down in the grass; staring up at the sky with a good set of headphones to reveal every small intricacy that this stunning record has to offer.
Listen to Teen Daze’s’ effervescent opening number, “Cycle”:
– Full List of Releases: February 10, 2017 –
Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness: Zombies On Broadway
Genre: Pop // Label: Vanguard Records
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of February 3, 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 Menzingers: “After The Party”–
Genre: Punk // Label: Epitaph
Background:
Punk group The Menzingers release their 5th LP this Friday, on the heels of some pretty damned consistent critical praise. If the singles are any indication, this will be one of their most explosive, passionate, and melodic releases to date. Already garnering a 4.3 average across 25 user ratings, After The Party is clearly Sputnikmusic’s most anticipated release this week. If you’re new to the party – pun intended – check out the album’s heartfelt title track below.
Listen to The Menzingers’ title track for After The Party:
– Full List of Releases: February 3, 2017 –
Andy Suzuki & The Method: The Glass Hour
Genre: Pop Rock // Label: self-released
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of January 27, 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: Cloud Nothings: “Life Without Sound”–
Genre: Lo-Fi Indie-Rock // Label: Carpark Records
Background:
On Life Without Sound, Cloud Nothings drop their 4th LP with a slight shift in dynamics. Their scrappy lo-fi brand of punk appears to now be incorporating a melodic indie-rock aesthetic, and the results are often breathtaking. It won’t win over each and every diehard fan, but Life Without Sound still represents an important step outside of the band’s comfort zone that should help them earn more recognition while continuing to expand upon their sonic arsenal. Don’t miss out on Hype Machine’s stream of the new record, while those of you looking for a quick sample can listen to ‘Modern Act’ below.
Listen to Cloud Nothings’ uncharacteristically melodic “Modern Act”:
– Full List of Releases: January 27, 2017 –
Allison Crutchfield: Tourist in This Town
Genre: Pop Punk // Label: Merge
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of January 20, 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: AFI: “AFI (The Blood Album)”–
Genre: Punk/Alt-Rock // Label: Concord Music Group, Inc.
Background:
AFI (A Fire Inside) have a storied history as one of punk’s most long-lived and influential bands. As they find themselves now ten albums deep into their career, what should we be expecting from AFI (The Blood Album)? Even the most hopeful of fans know another Black Sails in the Sunset or Answer That and Stay Fashionable isn’t in the cards, because quite frankly the band is in its third decade and its members reside at a totally different juncture in their lives. The material released in advance of The Blood Album yielded singles with a sound more darkened, yet equally as melodic and accessible as – say – Crash Love. Thus, a more realistic target for this record may be a return to the band’s early 2000’s punk/emo heyday, something along the lines of Sing The Sorrow. It remains to be seen if the band will match the passion and energy of that era, but songs like ‘Snow Cats’ are a good indicator of what to expect. Give it a…
Welcome back to Sputnik’s weekly news! After a short break we’re happy to be posting for the first time in 2017, on the prowl for the year’s best releases in every genre. For each album, you’ll be able to peruse the artwork, genre(s), label information, and any existing full album streams. This is our list of major new releases for the week of January 13, 2017. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more. Enjoy!
–Featured Release: The Flaming Lips: “Oczy Mlody”–
Genre: Psychedelic/Experimental // Label: The Flaming Lips
Background:
The Flaming Lips just keep getting weirder, which in the field of music is a hefty compliment. The experimental band releases their follow-up to 2013’s The Terror this Friday, although the albums feel further apart in time than the four years that actually separate them. It’s been a dizzying time for fans – first there was the 24-hour track 7 Skies H3, then we witnessed them cover The Beatles’ iconic Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album in its entirety, which featured a slew of guest musicians ranging from My Morning Jacket to Miley Cyrus in a cleverly titled homage With A Little Help From My Fwends. In short, this isn’t a group of musicians…
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of November 25, 2016. 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.
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–Featured Release: Young Legionnaire: “Zero Worship”–
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Young Legionnaire: Zero Worship
Genre: Alternative/Progressive // Label: Superstar Destroyer Records
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– New Releases: November 25, 2016 –
Bolzer: Hero
Genre: Death Metal/Black Metal // Label: Iron Bonehead Records
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Craving: By the Storm
Genre: Death/Thrash // Label: Apostasy Records
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Defiant: Time Isn’t Healing
Genre: Power Metal // Label: Ferrum Records
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Guttermouth: New Car Smell
Genre: Punk // Label: Rude Records
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Leprous: Live At Rockefeller Music Hall
Genre: Progressive Metal // Label: InsideOut Records
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My Darkest Hate: Anger Temple
Genre: Death Metal // Label: Massacre Records
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Primordial: Gods to the Godless
Genre: Folk Metal/Black Metal // Label: Metal Blade Records
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Science of Sleep: Hellmouth
Genre: Death Metal // Label: Bastardized Records
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Toy Mountains: I Swore I’d Never Speak of This Again
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of November 18, 2016. 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.
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of November 11, 2016. 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.
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–Featured Release: Deathspell Omega: “The Synarchy of Molten Bones”–
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Deathspell Omega: The Synarchy of Molten Bones
Genre: Death/Black Metal // Label: Noevdia Records
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– New Releases: November 11, 2016 –
Animals As Leaders: The Madness Of Many
Genre: Progressive Metal // Label: Sumerian Records
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ANNISOKAY: Devil May Care
Genre: Metalcore // Label: Long Branch Records
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Downfall Of Gaia: Atrophy
Genre: Post Metal/Black Metal // Label: Metal Blade
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Enigma: The Fall Of Rebel Angel
Genre: New Age/Electronic // Label: Universal Records
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Enslaved: The Sleeping Gods – Thorn
Genre: Progressive Rock/Black Metal // Label: Norse Records