Site News
By staff
Monday February 16, 2015
Applications are still open for contrib and staff positions for those wishing to climb the proverbial Sputnik ranks. If you have a vested interest in writing about music, are a respectable and friendly member of the community, and have no idea what I mean when I say mezz crew, then head on over here to submit your applications.
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of February 17th, 2015. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors.
36 Crazyfists – Time & Trauma (Spinefarm Records)
The Amazing – Picture You (PTKF)
Anthony Naples – Body Pill (Text Records)
Black Rivers – Black Rivers (Ignition Records) – SowingSeason
Brothers Of The Sonic Cloth – Brothers Of The Sonic Cloth (Neurot Recordings)
Colin Hay – Next Year People (Compass Records)
Elle King – Love Stuff (RCA)
Estelle – True Romance (BMG Rights Management)
Ibeyi – Ibeyi (XL Records)
Imagine Dragons – Smoke + Mirrors (Interscope Records)
José González- Vestiges & Claws (Mute)
The Juliana Hatfield Three – Whatever, My Love (American Laundromat Records)
Kate Pierson – Guitars & Microphones (+180 Records)
Kodaline – Coming Up For Air (RCA Records)
Letts – Hold Fast (Vagrant Records)
Lyal Strickland – Balanced On Barbed Wire (Self released)
The Mavericks – Mono (Valory)
Mourn – Mourn (Captured Tracks)
Nedelle Torrisi – Advice From Paradise (Ethereal Sequence)
A Place To Bury Strangers –…
By staff
Tuesday February 10, 2015
Applications are still open for contrib and staff positions for those wishing to climb the proverbial Sputnik ranks.
If you have a vested interest in writing about music, are a respectable and friendly member of the community, and have no idea what I mean when I say mezz crew, then head on over here to submit your applications.
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of February 10th, 2015. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors.
Adolescents – La Vendetta… È Un Piatto Che Va Servito Freddo (Frontier Records)
Adrenaline Mob – Dearly Departed (Century Media)
Blackberry Smoke – Holding All The Roses (Rounder)
Blacklisted – When People Grow, People Go (Deathwish Inc.)
Caught On Tape – Full Bleed (Northern Spy Records)
The Districts – A Flourish And A Spoil (Fat Possum)
The Dreaming – Rise Again (Metropolis Records)
Fat Mike – Home Street Home (Fat Wreck Chords)
Father John Misty – I Love You, Honeybear (Sub Pop Records)
Gretchen Peters – Blackbirds (Scarlet Records)
JD McPherson – Let The Good Times Roll (Rounder)
Jefre Cantu-Ledesma – A Year With 13 Moons (Mexican Summer)
Johan Agebjorn – Notes (Paper Bag)
Joker – Mainframe (Kapsize)
Knifight – V (KnifightMusic)
Marduk – Frontschwein (Century Media) – Kyle Ward
Martin Sexton – Mixtape Of The Open Road (Kitchen Table)
Neal Morse – The Grand Experiment (Metal Blade)
Retox –…
By staff
Tuesday February 3, 2015
Welcome back!
Remember that applications are currently open for both contributor and staff positions on the site. If you’re interested and feel as if you have what it takes, then head on over to the application thread here and sell yourself to us! Not in a literal sense of course though… *
*There’s a different thread for that
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of February 3rd, 2015. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors.
Big Noble – First Light (Affiliates Sound)
Blind Guardian – Beyond The Red Mirror (Nuclear Blast America)
Bob Dylan – Shadows In The Night (Columbia)
Breakfast In Fur – Flyaway Garden (Bar/None Records)
Butch Walker – Afraid Of Ghosts (Dangerbird Records)
Chip Z’Nuff – Strange Time (Cleopatra)
The Church – Further Deeper (+180 Records)
Diana Krall – Wallflower (Verve Music Group)
Fifth Harmony – Reflection (Syco Music/Epic)
John Carpenter – Lost Themes (Sacred Bones Records)
John Tejada – Signs Under Test (Kompakt)
Kid Ink – Full Speed (RCA)
Matana Roberts – Coin Coin Chapter Three: River Run Thee (Constellation)
Mount Eerie – Sauna (P.W. Elverum & Sun)
Murder By Death – Big Dark Love (Bloodshot Records)
Ricked Wicky – I Sell The Circus (Guided By Voices)
TeeFlii – Starr (Epic)
Title Fight – Hyperview (Anti)
Two Gallants – We Are Undone (ATO Records)
Victor Villarreal – Sleep Talk (Joyful Noise Recordings)
Yesterday’s Saints – Generation Of Vipers (Draconum Records)…
By staff
Friday January 23, 2015
10. Sun Kil Moon – Benji
Official Site // Spotify // Facebook
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Stream: ‘Carissa’ (6:55)
The fact Mark Kozelek’s “dispute” with The War on Drugs has overshadowed Benji in press coverage speaks volumes for how fucking stupid it was, but at least it proved Mark doesn’t hold anything back. When he spends an album fearing, thinking about and reflecting on death you know he means it; when he says sorry to the kid he punched in high school you know he means it; when he explains how terrified he is of losing his mother you damn well know he means it.
And that’s what makes Benji so special. In his long-winded, meandering way, Mark has exposed himself to the world without a thought of how the world might react. The album doesn’t lose impact over time because there is nothing to be cynical about: nothing to see through. This is it, and it is sad, but with one line at the end of ‘Michellene’ Mark manages to remind us not to worry, because there is always each other. — Jonny
9. St. Vincent – St. Vincent
Official Site // Spotify // Facebook
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Stream: ‘Rattlesnake’ (3:36)
Perhaps the most frequent justification for a record being self-titled is that it signifies a definitive statement; a culmination of all that’s great…
By staff
Wednesday January 21, 2015
30. La Dispute – Rooms Of The House
Official Site // Spotify // Facebook
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Stream: ‘Woman (Reading)’ (3:30)
La Dispute’s third full length release sees the bands continually shying away from their flashy post hardcore roots, instead focusing on cohesiveness, both musically and lyrically. And while Rooms of the House has been met with mixed critical reception, it personally seems clear that this record is one of the better efforts La Dispute have put forth, as this record strikes the perfect balance between harmonic brashness and quiet contemplation. While Rooms of the House’s subject matter regarding loss of love is nothing new to Jordan Dreyer and company, the approach to such a topic vastly differentiates itself from past albums, telling the story of a couple falling out of love, but mixing in real life locations and referencing past songs on the album. And while this approach to songwriting is not immediately rewarding, the intricacies found on tracks such as ‘Woman (Reading)’ or ‘Stay Happy There’ make revisiting this album a pleasant and necessary experience. — Alex T.
29. Weezer – Everything Will Be Alright In The End
Official Site // Spotify // Facebook
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Stream: ‘Back To The Shack’ (3:05)
Of all the emotions that fell out upon listening to Everything…
By staff
Monday January 19, 2015
50. Gates – Bloom And Breathe
Official Site // Spotify // Facebook
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Stream: ‘Not My Blood’ (5:56)
Many have taken to calling Gates “Thrice with post rock”, which, while meant as a compliment in most cases, does a massive disservice to what they’ve created with Bloom and Breathe. Gates have crafted a deeply affecting and unique album which deserves to be heard on its own merits – not by way of piggybacking or association with the now deceased (or not??) post hardcore band. Bloom and Breathe’s swirling melodies make a foundation which allows for huge moments, placed in such a way that allows for it to wash over, creating a sense of catharsis. So much more than the sum of their parts, Gates have put together something special with their sophomore release. They may not have been on too many radars before 2014, but over 50-minutes they prove themselves to be a must-listen. — Josh Fountain
49. Manners – Pale Blue Light
Official Site // Spotify // Facebook
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Stream: ‘Binge’ (2:29)
Manners so perfectly encapsulate what it’s like to be depressed, alone, and under the influence; it’s kind of scary. There’s a connection that’s felt with the members of Manners through their music; like these guys aren’t just dudes that make catchy…
By staff
Wednesday December 3, 2014
As the release calender winds down for the festive season, and as we gear up for the big year-end features, this will be the last new releases post for the year.
As such, this post will cover all scheduled releases for the whole of December and January. Please note that all release dates provided are current at the time of posting, though are subject to change. All information is based upon their physical North American release date (where possible). This post will continue to be updated over the coming weeks as any new releases are announced or are postponed ( *cough*The Carter V). Both the album streams section and the Last FM charts will be updated accordingly as well.
If you happen upon a new release being announced that you don’t see here, please feel free to post in the comments section and it will be added. The same goes for any streams that become available after posting.
Stay tuned for the upcoming Staff end of year feature as well as the best of 2014 feature as decided by the entire userbase; head here to find out how you can cast your votes. Apart from that, enjoy the upcoming holidays and we will catch you all again in February 2015!
And as always, please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors.
2 December
AC/DC – Rock Or Bust (Columbia)
Little Envy – Little Envy (South By Sea)
…
By staff
Tuesday November 25, 2014
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of November 25th, 2014. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors.
Amadeus Awad’s Eon – The Book Of Gates (Power Prog)
Andy Stott – Faith In Strangers (Modern Love)
Bella Novela – Telemtery (Self released)
frYars – Power (Fiction Records)
Kaledon – Antillius: The King Of The Light (Scarlet Records)
Kevin Hearn – Days In Frames (Roaring Girl Records/Fontana North)
Savages & Bo Ningen – Words To The Blind (Stolen Recordings/Pop Noire)
Scapes – One:Unseen:One (Nihil Ultra)
Snowday – As We Travel (Self-released)
Submotion Orchestra – Alium (Counter Records)
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Album Streams:
Andy Stott – Faith In Strangers
Savages & Bo Ningen – Words To The Blind
Snowday – As We Travel
Submotion Orchestra – Alium
——————————————————————————–
SputnikMusic’s Most Played Artists of the Week (according to Last.FM):
Staff :
1. TV On The Radio
2. Damien Rice
3. Foo Fighters
4. Pink Floyd
5. Azealia Banks
6. Taylor Swift
7. Yeah Yeah Yeahs
8. John Frusciante
9. Freddie Gibbs
10. Cloud Nothings
Contributors:
1. Nas
2. The National
3. Brand New
4. Bon Iver
5. Neutral Milk Hotel
6. Japandroids
7. The Smith Street Band
8. American Football
9. Meek Mill
10. La Dispute
Community:
1. Run The Jewels
2. Radiohead
3. Brand New
4. The National
5. Pink Floyd
6. Aphex Twin
7. Kendrick Lamar
8. Weezer
9. Flying Lotus
10. Modest Mouse
By staff
Monday November 10, 2014
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of November 11th, 2014. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors.
…And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead – IX (Superball Music) – Rudy K.
2:54 – The Other I (Bella Union)
Anguish – Mountain Jewel (Dark Descent)
Antony & The Johnsons – Turning (Secretly Canadian)
Big K.R.I.T. – Cadillactica (Def Jam)
The Birthday Massacre – Superstition (Metropolis Records)
Bloodbath – Grand Morbid Funeral (Peaceville/Snapper)
Brant Bjork & The Low Desert Punk Band – Black Flower Power (Napalm Records)
Bryan Ferry – Avonmore (BMG Rights Management)
Cadaveria – Silence (Scarlet Records)
Cult Of Youth – Final Days (Sacred Bones Records)
Damien Rice – My Favourite Faded Fantasy (Warner Bros.) – SowingSeason
Depeche Mode – Live In Berlin (Columbia)
Devilment – The Great & Secret Show (Nuclear Blast)
Dirty Beaches – Stateless (Zoo Music)
Dream Police – Hypnotized (Sacred Bones Records)
Fearless Vampire Killers – Unbreakable Hearts (Goremount Records)
Foo Fighters – Sonic Highways (RCA Records)
Ghost Brigade – IV: One With The Storm (Season Of Mist)
The Ghost Inside – Dear Youth (Epitaph)
Hookworms – The Hum (Domino Recording Co.)
In This Moment – Black Widow (Atlantic)
The Jazz June – After The Earthquake (10 Spot)
Job For A Cowboy – Sun Eater (Metal Blade)
K-X-P – History Of Techno (Scart Records)
Kaipa – Satygg (Inside Out Music)
King Of Cats…
By staff
Tuesday November 4, 2014
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of November 4th, 2014. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors.
Amelia Curran – They Promised You Mercy (Six Shooter Records)
Ani DiFranco – Allergic To Water (Righteous Babe)
Arca – Xen (Mute)
Arrica Rose – Wavefunction (Poprock Records)
Bette Midler – It’s The Girls (Warner Bros.)
Black Milk – If There’s A Hell Below (Computer Ugly)
Calvin Harris – Motion (Columbia)
Cavalera Conspiracy – Pandemonium (Napalm Records)
Clark – Clark (Warp Records)
Dean Blunt – Black Metal (Rough Trade)
Deerhoof – La Isla Bonita (Polyvinyl Records)
Deptford Goth – Songs (PIAS America)
The Doobie Brothers – Southbound (Sony Nashville)
Gold Lake – Years (Gold Lake)
Gruff Rhys – American Interior (Turnstile Music)
Happy Diving – Big World (Father/Daughter Records)
Hyperdub – Hyperdub 10.4 (Hyperdub)
Inspiral Carpets – Inspiral Carpets (Cherry Red)
Kattah – Lapis Lazuli (Bakerteam Records)
Korallreven – Second Comin’ (Cascine)
Les Sins – Michael (Carpark Records)
Mariachi El Bronx – Ill (ATO Records)
Megafortress – Believer (Driftless Recordings)
Mike Hudson & The Pagans – Hollywood High (Ruin Discos)
Mother Mother – Very Good Bad Thing (Universal)
Neil Young – Storytone (Reprise)
Ryan Hemsworth – Alone For The First Time (Last Gang Records)
Soen – Tellurian (Spinefarm)
Tantal – Expectancy (Bakerteam Records)
Theophilus London – Vibes! (Warner Bros.)
Trophy Eyes – Mend, Move On (Hopeless Records)
We Are The Willows – Picture (Portrait) – Part I (The Homestead…
By staff
Monday October 27, 2014
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of October 28th, 2014. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors.
2562 – The New Today (When In Doubt)
At The Gates – At War With Reality (Century Media)
Bella Morte – Exorcisms (Metropolis Records)
Creepers – Lush (All Black Recording Company)
Dan Bodan – Soft (Alternative Distribution Alliance)
Daniel Lanois – Flesh & Machine (Anti Records)
Devin Townsend Project – Z2 (Inside Out Music) – Thompson D. Gerhart
Dillon Francis – Money Sucks, Friends Rule (Columbia)
Dionne Warwick – Feels So Good (10 Spot)
Doomsday Student – A Walk Through Hysteria Park (Skin Graft Records)
Fides Inversa – Mysterium Tremendum et Fascinans (World Terror Committee)
Groundislava – Frozen Throne (WeDidIt Records)
I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness – Dust (Secretly Canadian)
Jerry Lee Lewis – Rock ‘N’ Roll Time (Vanguard/Universal)
Lagwagon – Hang (Fat Wreck Chords)
Leighton Meester – Heartstrings (InGrooves)
Martial Canterel – Gyors/Lassù (Dais Records)
Medicine – Home Everywhere (Captured Tracks)
Misgivings – Delete History (Misgivings)
Mono – The Last Dawn (Temporary Residence)
Mono – Rays Of Darkness (Temporary Residence)
Mykki Blanco – Gay Dog Food (UNO NYC)
Mysteries – New Age Music Is Here (Felte Records)
Nero Di Marte – Derivae (Prosthetic Records)
Objekt – Flatland (Pan)
Pianos Become The Teeth – Keep You (Epitaph)
Run The Jewels – RTJ2 (Mass Appeal Records)
Sylvie Simmons – Sylvie (Light In The Attic)
By staff
Tuesday October 21, 2014
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of October 21st, 2014. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors.
Allo Darlin’ – We Come From The Same Place (Slumberland)
Andrew St. James – The Shakes (Fortune Records)
Annie Lennox – Nostalgia (Blue Note/Universal)
Ben Howard – I Forget Where We Were (Universal Republic)
Billy Idol – Kings & Queens Of The Underground (Kobalt)
Boyz II Men – Collide (BMG Rights Management)
The Budos Band – Burnt Offering (Daptone)
Cold War Kids – Hold My Home (Downtown)
Eliot Bronson – Eliot Bronson (Saturn 5 Records/Hubbub! Music)
Elliott Brood – Work And Love (Paper Bag Records)
Horrendous – Ecdysis (Dark Descent) – Kyle Ward
The Flaming Lips – With A Little Help From My Fwends (Warner Bros.)
Jakob – Sines (Mylene Sheath)
Jeff The Brotherhood – Dig The Classics (Warner Bros.)
Jenn Grant – Compostela (Outside Music)
Jessie Ware – Tough Love (Interscope Records)
Little Big Town – Pain Killer (Capitol Nashville)
Mark Lanegan Band – Phantom Radio (Vagrant Records)
Modern Vices – Modern Vices (Autumn Tone Records)
Mystery Skulls – Forever (Warner Bros.)
Neil Diamond – Melody Road (CMG)
Ólafur Arnalds & Janus Rasmussen – Kiasmos (Erased Tapes Records)
Primus – Primus & The Chocolate Factory (ATO Records)
Rancid – Honor Is All We Know (Epitaph)
Scott Walker and Sunn O))) – Soused (4AD)
Slipknot – .5: The Gray Chapter (Roadrunner…
By staff
Monday October 13, 2014
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of October 14th, 2014. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors.
Absolutely Free – Absolutely Free (Lefse Records)
Ali Campbell – Silhouette (Metropolis Records)
Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness – Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness (Vanguard/Universal) – SowingSeason
Angaleena Presley – American Middle Class (Slate Creek Records)
Atrum Tempestas – Neant (Nordavind Records)
Bing & Ruth – Tomorrow Was The Golden Age (RVNG International)
Bob Seger – Ride Out (CMG)
Chicks On Speed – Artstravaganza (Chicks On Speed)
Dioramic – Supra (Dooload)
Electric Six – Human Zoo (Metropolis Records)
Favorite Weapon – Sixty Saragossa (Rise Records)
Fit For A King – Slave To Nothing (Solid State)
Florida Georgia Line – Anything Goes (Big Machine Records)
For All I Am – No Home (InVogue Records)
Foxygen – …And Star Power (Jagjaguwar)
Frazey Ford – Indian Ocean (Nettwerk Records)
From The Vastland – Temple Of Daevas (Non Serviam Records)
The Game – Blood Moon: Year Of The Wolf (Entertainment One Music)
Gazelle Twin – Unflesh (Last Gang Records)
Godflesh – A World Lit Only By Fire (Shellshock)
Gorgon City – Sirens (Priority Records)
Idina Menzel – Holiday Wishes (Warner Bros)
Itasca – Unmoored By The Wind (New Images)
Jessie J – Sweet Talker (Universal Republic)
Kayo Dot – Coffins On Io (Flenser)
Kele Okereke – Trick (Lilac Records)
Kevin Morby – Still Life (Woodsist)
Kindness – Otherness (Mom…
By staff
Monday October 6, 2014
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of October 7th, 2014. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors.
Abazagorath – The Satanic Verses (Eternal Death)
A Breach Of Silence – Dead Or Alive (Eclipse)
Alex & Sierra – It’s About Us (Columbia)
The Barr Brothers – Sleeping Operator (Secret City Records/Universal)
Bass Drum Of Death – Rip This (Innovative Leisure)
Blut Aus Nord – Memoria Vetsuta III – Saturnian Poetry (Debemur Morti Productions)
Bonobo – The North Borders Tour – Live (Ninja Tune)
Broods – Evergreen (Capitol Records/Universal)
Caribou – Our Love (Merge Records)
Dark Blue – Pure Reality (Jade Tree Records)
Dinosaur Feathers – Control (Ernest Jenning Record Company)
Ex Hex – Rips (Merge Records)
Field Report – Marigolden (Partisan Records)
Flying Lotus – You’re Dead (Warp Records)
Gnarwolves – Gnarwolves (Pure Noise)
Hal Ketchum – I’m The Troubadour (Music Road Records)
High Ends – Super Class (Dine Alone Records)
Hozier – Hozier (Columbia)
Hungry Cloud Darkening – Glossy Recall (Off Tempo)
Iceage – Plowing Into The Field Of Love (Matador Records)
Jackson Browne – Standing In The Breach (Inside Recordings)
Jamie T – Carry On The Grudge (Epitaph)
Jason Aldean – Old Boots, New Dirt (Broken Bow)
Jessica Campbell – III (Little London Records)
Johnny Marr – Playland (Alternative Distribution Alliance)
John Southworth – Niagra (Tin Angel Records)
Keyshia Cole – Point Of No Return (Interscope Records)
Marmozets – The Weird & Wonderful Marmozets (Roadrunner…
By staff
Monday September 29, 2014
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of September 30th, 2014. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors.
Amplifier – Mystoria (Superball Music)
Black Crown Initiate – The Wreckage Of Stars (Entertainment One Music)
Blake Shelton – Bringing Back The Sunshine (Warner Bros.)
Boogarins – As Plantas Que Curam (Fat Possum)
Call Super – Suzi Ecto (Houndstooth)
Christopher Owens – A New Testament (Turnstyle)
Curtin – One For The Doghearted (Curtin)
Davey Suicide – Worldwide Suicide (Standby Records)
Death Penalty – Death Penalty (Rise Above Ltd.)
Decapitated – Blood Mantra (Nuclear Blast)
Electric Wizard – Time To Die (Spinefarm)
Electric Youth – Innerworld (Secretly Canadian)
Evergrey – Hymns For The Broken (AFM Records)
Finch – Back To Oblivion (Razor & Tie)
Gerard Way – Hesitant Alien (Reprise)
Gui Boratto – Abaporu (Kompakt)
The History Of Apple Pie – Feel Something (Marshall Teller)
Lady Antebellum – 747 (Capitol Nashville/Universal)
Lucinda Williams – Down Where The Spirit Meets The Bone (Highway 20 Records)
Luke Winslow-King – Everlasting Arms (Bloodshot Records)
Meshuggah – I (Special Edition) (Nuclear Blast) – Trey Spencer
Montibus Communitas – The Pilgrim To The Absolute (Beyond Beyond Is Beyond Records)
Nicholas Krgovich – On Sunset (Nettwerk Records)
Nonpoint – The Return (Red International)
Phobocosm – Deprived (Dark Descent)
Prince – Art Official Age (Warner Bros.)
Prince & 3rdEyeGirl – Plectrumelectrum (Warner Bros.)
Radium Valley – Tales From The Apocalypse (Pavement Music)
Raul…
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