neddyoThe return of the #recommNeds, #newmusic recommendations, perhaps stuff that is off your radar. All worth a listen!
Gonna continue to post these M/W/F...
2023.1
Rozi Plain: Prize
Used to be that I'd introduce Rozi Plain as "plays with This is the Kit" and she's in that family, which may mean nothing to you. But with this record, she's a bona fide all on her own, no qualifiers needed. Complex, satisfying songwriting with nifty surprises lurking underneath an electroBritfolk exterior. Best release of the early year, a great way to start 2023.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/54wyPNueynFWwQJdpkts2f?si=I-Qo3LsHT7CFEeZl2nVDVQ
2023.2
London Odense Ensemble: Jaiyede Sessions, Vol 2
Jams, jams, jams! Just as good as volume 1 and you already have listened to that a thousand times, right? Right!?? In-studio, high-octane Eurojam improv to the Nth degree. Enoughsaid. On the El Paraiso label. Enoughsaider.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7w45c3a5C28YegXTblB55g?si=M3mRW_fKQ9WqTD4dMBygpg
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/jaiyede-sessions-vol-2/1660185613
2023.3
Nicolas Godin: Fire of Love
One half of the one and only Air, Godin may be even more intriguing as a solo artist, everything he puts out is magic. This is technically a soundtrack to a nature documentary, and works on that storytelling level, but also is a treasure trove of grooves and intriguing mindtwist. So good. Enjoy!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1A2FqRl103QAef0Uqu9WcW?si=knV6jCKrS3K4Il-GvYmLbA
2023.4
Glyders: Maria's Hunt
After a year of feeling out of the loop, I'm very much into new-music-discovery mode again, and here's an early year new-to-me'er that'll likely be in the rotation for a while. This Chicago trio has found a sweet spot in whatever overlap exists between cosmic country and garage psych. Nice spot! Enjoy!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4s6QqAz77rQ8wK5sH9MJLs?si=o9bATo4RQf6jeqR9hJ_v2Q
Bandcamp: https://glyders.bandcamp.com/album/marias-hunt
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/marias-hunt/1649385996
2023.5
abracadabra: shapes & colors
What a delightful surprise this one is. Low key psych pop grooves from this California duo just feel right. This is one of those creeper albums that goes from "hmmm not bad" to "I really dig this" to "dang, this is great!" as you go from start to finish. What could be better? Enjoy!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/5BGBT8zHD3JnriQc4sYgcS?si=3KQ4g3irQ12PfEwa2BjLWg
Bandcamp: https://abracadabraoakland.bandcamp.com/album/shapes-colors
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/shapes-colors/1649236735
2023.6
Matt Costa: Matt Costa x Zero
Costa is maybe under the radar a bit with some really great easygoing folkrock vibes. I really enjoy almost everything he puts out, to tell you the truth. This one is a little bit different, though, I believe this EP is a soundtrack to a skateboarding video? Regardless, it's short and sweet; part instrumental, but all very easy to love. I think you'll dig it! Enjoy!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1disWWTSg5EIfLYZB6JczH?si=4pazv94USOKLAhllmV6etg
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/matt-costa-x-zero-ep/1664595654
2023.7
King Tuff: Smalltown Stardust
Sometimes an artist might be kinda out of sight/out of mind... Until they pop back up & drop an exquisite banger on you that has you going "oh yeah!" Get strong "oh yeah!" vibes from this one, every track something fresh and worthy of a repeat listen. Call it rock and roll, call it whatever, it's alive and well in Tuff's hands. Enjoy!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6tvYZyoxDRTIOVUwWH6ttG?si=HQjxKT0ORUK7wfa7TmJFXg
Bandcamp: https://kingtuff.bandcamp.com/album/smalltown-stardust
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/smalltown-stardust/1647927526
2023.8
numün: Book of Beyond
Fridays can go either way, let's rock or let's chill. This one is for those currently inclined for the latter. This is extreme chill music, beautifully glacial, light fingertip touch ambient. Declutter your mind with floating guitars, pedal steel, minimalism at its finest. Enjoy!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3xi2Fs4aPnaTcfjB3Ja82o?si=sosC2r1XQKqjYTt4gRx5Ow
Bandcamp: https://numunband.bandcamp.com/album/book-of-beyond
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/book-of-beyond/1655212200
2023.9
The Go! Team: Get Up Sequences Part Two
I freakin love this band & feel like either everyone else is crazy for not loving them just as much or... I'm crazy? Gotta be the former! Their latest is on-brand next level, high-energy, FUN. This is happy, get-psyched music with heart & smarts & that British je ne sais quoi. How could you not freakin love this band? Enjoy!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4wkclV3QQZPnjFWBqqrgzh?si=wsmhDscOQ0eukR32upuZqA
Bandcamp: https://thegoteam.bandcamp.com/album/get-up-sequences-part-two
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/get-up-sequences-part-two/1645229134
2023.10
Christina Galisatus: Without Night
Slightly outside my usual fare, not always a huge fan of jazz vocalists, but when it works, it just works and this one does. I love how composer/pianist Galisatus incorporates the voice into her compositions, just one part of a pretty progressive jazz ensemble. Every piece fitting together, quite lovely and easy to love. Enjoy!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2WAj2Wkd0FX8GsumEt2AaG?si=IdwS1gdeRYyEqG_pZCxVtA
Bandcamp: https://christinagalisatus.bandcamp.com/album/without-night
Apple: https://music.apple.com/ca/album/without-night/1660689113
2023.11
Stella Kola: s/t
Good to trust people to rec good shit (I hope you do me!) because then you get to hear albums like this one. Perfect Sunday morning folk. Easy, dreamy, lovely. Sweetness in the songwriting, the instrumentation, and that special magic that some got and some don't. She has it. Enjoy!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7JWRqZS6NJFhgZAEcXQS3v?si=J6TtiF9mSgSIpY6omQQTBw
Bandcamp: https://stellakola.bandcamp.com/album/stella-kola
Apple: https://music.apple.com/be/album/stella-kola/1663028975
2023.12
J.D. Simo: Songs from the House of Grease
JD has slowly positioned himself as a must-hear every time he puts out new music. His latest EP is as good a place to start as any, 5 tracks of vicious slide guitar-heavy bluesrock jams that manages to cram in almost 40 mins worth of awesome. Good Monday hair-raisin'. Come for the Afro Blue cover, stay for the rest. Enjoy!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2qqpahdgQM6RLq8qyEmmGH?si=BpxYdbokRZCbek7Kc0nw7g
Bandcamp: https://jdsimo.bandcamp.com/album/songs-from-the-house-of-grease
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/songs-from-the-house-of-grease/1639230704
2023.13
Billow Observatory: Calque
Sometimes it's good to go quiet, even the Eurojams. This side project features Jonas Munk and Jason Kolb and is a study in relentless minimalism. Their newest EP is 20+ minutes of slow-moving beauty of electronic and analog layers. Lower your blood pressure in this unrelenting world. Enjoy!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/5tEZPyXKxdXhYuumW6be9v?si=AvqW8WpjTYyOeQfCrOl8NA
Bandcamp: https://billowobservatory.bandcamp.com/album/calque
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/calque-ep/1651938091
2023.14
The Royal Arctic Institute: From Coma to Catharsis
After last night's excellent set, makes sense to recommend their excellent latest EP. Hard to make a guitars/bass/drums/keys sound stay in this not-too-loud/not-too-quiet sweet spot while keeping things so engaging. Instrumental music that's not quite ambient, not quite rocking, just right. So good, enjoy!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6v3rg45GhnMrIHV0Gm4Z3c?si=AmegekJRRvCOKq8ZItbfOg
Bandcamp: https://alreadydeadtapes.bandcamp.com/album/from-coma-to-catharsis
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/from-coma-to-catharsis-ep/1662280493
2023.15
H.C. McEntire: Every Acre
The recs are back! McEntire's latest is in a nice country/folk/rock sweet spot, lots of terrific songs, easy-to-love sound with a balance of modern and classic. Couple nice guest spots in there as well. When you've got it, you've got it! I think you should check it out! Enjoy!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6I0r8AtXUHwmffQPX9rudA?si=zXpNydPFTXK6S3Cn_hhn9w
Bandcamp: https://hcmcentire.bandcamp.com/album/every-acre
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/every-acre/1649414022
#recommNeds #newmusic #MusicDiscovery
2023.16
Long Twins: Everyone in Water
Occasionally you randomly stumble on something wonderful and, friends, this is something wonderful. Side project/long distance duo making a delightful experimental, I dunno... indie rock? Pop? Don't want to ruin it by trying to pin down the sound with words, just give it a try and see if you agree. Enjoy!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7vmBaPFBeCj2E9WIwkWFuB?si=e9DdMwqnQKe_s3_sChWjOw
Bandcamp: https://longtwins.bandcamp.com/album/everyone-in-water-2
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/everyone-in-water/1662990319
#recommNeds #newmusic #MusicDiscovery
2023.17
Theodor: Theodor
The sounds of Friday turning into the weekend. Kind of chill, kind of groovy, puts a smile on your face. That's this one right here. They call it "psychedelic sweet soul" and sure why not? Chillgroove Eurojam style. Guaranteed you'll dig, trust me. Enjoy!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6vw53YLRZyKgkzrWKuWQC8?si=d3cBh9_aSs2gf51nBLzoZg
#recommNeds #newmusic #MusicDiscovery
2023.18
The Necks: Travel
I mean, if you haven't yet, what are you waiting for? Definite album of the year candidate for me. If you want to hear highest-level improvisation, these three guys just sit down and start playing and this is what comes out. Mindblowing piano, bass, drums. It's it's own thing and ain't that a thing. Enjoy!
Spotify: https://spotify.link/uOBmlkIH3xb
#recommNeds #newmusic #MusicDiscovery
2023.19
Movie Jail: s/t
Here are some happy Monday grooves for you. Debut self-titled EP of groovy art indie rock. You'll spend half the time thinking "this kinda sounds like..." and the other half thinking "man, I really dig this." Produced by (and featuring) John McEntire from Tortoise, it's just a great sound. 5 easy-to-love tracks. Enjoy!
Spotify: https://spotify.link/GV5ThGCD8xb
Bandcamp: https://moviejail.bandcamp.com/album/movie-jail
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/movie-jail-ep/1670613333
#recommNeds #newmusic #MusicDiscovery
2023.20
Shana Cleveland: Manzanita
Been digging her for a while, but this comes off as a major leap for Cleveland in my estimation. Sometimes it feels like a folky album overlaid on top of an instrumental acoustic ambient record and sometimes feels like the opposite. Lots of vibey magic within, maybe you'll think so, too. Enjoy!
Spotify: https://spotify.link/JVjZVcMUbyb
Bandcamp: https://shanacleveland.bandcamp.com/album/manzanita
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/manzanita/1658205841
#recommNeds #newmusic #MusicDiscovery
2023.21
Scree: Jasmine on a Night in July
Debut LP from a new Brooklyn trio playing vibey instrumental music with various flavors of delicious. Surf rock and ambient jazz and other heady permutations. The album is inspired by Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish and inspired it is. Downshift your weekend and enjoy!
Bandcamp: https://screeband.bandcamp.com/album/jasmine-on-a-night-in-july
Spotify: https://spotify.link/8glKmVtcfyb
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/jasmine-on-a-night-in-july/1663400482
Jasmine On A Night In July, by Scree
9 track album
#recommNeds #newmusic #MusicDiscovery
2023.22
Pleasure Principle: Buvez le Poison
My favorite types of music discoveries are ones where the info online is scant and you need a 2nd language to read it. My highschool French leads me to believe that the album title translates to "drink the poison" & I def think you should. Europsychjammy with a groovy indie bent. Rich like French food
Enjoy!
Bandcamp: https://pleasureprincipleband.bandcamp.com/album/buvez-le-poison
Spotify: https://spotify.link/By5M0dckkyb
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/buvez-le-poison/1659686696
Buvez le poison, by PLEASURE PRINCIPLE
13 track album
#recommNeds #newmusic #MusicDiscovery
2023.23
Ron Gallo: Foreground Music
Gallo is one of those guys where I'm not sure if everyone already knows about him or if he's totally under the radar. You definitely should be listening! This is a good one to start with. This is smart rock and roll from Philly: catchy hooks, shreddy riffs, witty lyrics, what more do you need? Enjoy!
Bandcamp: https://rongallo.bandcamp.com/album/foreground-music
Spotify: https://spotify.link/tMt6nVeEnyb
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/foreground-music/1651485430
FOREGROUND MUSIC, by Ron Gallo
11 track album
#recommNeds #newmusic #MusicDiscovery
2023.24
Gitkin: Nowhere to Go But Everywhere
Gitkin is the ongoing project of Pimps of Joytimes' Brian J and so glad he continues to put out new music for it. World-wise groove music that steals from all sorts of global sounds to create a rather delicious funk stew. This latest is showing the effects of years of marinating. Quite yum. Enjoy!
Spotify: https://spotify.link/K5zeufrVqyb
Apple: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/nowhere-to-go-but-everywhere/1674913936
#recommNeds #newmusic #MusicDiscovery
2023.25
Girls in Airports: How It is Now
What is it about Denmark? Another great European band, another stellar album. These guys have been putting em out for years (I think @liffy first hipped me to these guys years ago) and this one is a superb taste of their indie groovejazz. Sleek, modern, elegant, this is so damn good, highest recommendation. Enjoy!
Bandcamp: https://girlsinairports.bandcamp.com/album/how-it-is-now
Spotify: https://spotify.link/GUdRmddZvyb
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/how-it-is-now/1642512184
How It Is Now, by Girls in Airports
9 track album
#recommNeds #newmusic #MusicDiscovery
2023.26
Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer, Shahzad Ismaily: Love in Exile
Part 1 of the Big Ears #recommNeds, here's a total IYKYK supergroup that, on paper, shouldn't necessarily work well. In practice, the three ingredients mix into something that transcends genre. A potent, dreamlike brew of vocals, keyboards, bass and electronics. Something different, something special. Enjoy!
Spotify: https://spotify.link/KgeIbvbdzyb
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/love-in-exile/1670714359
#recommNeds #newmusic #MusicDiscovery
2023.27
Rich Ruth: Live at Third Man Records
Part 2 of the Big Ears #recommNeds, a live album following up his (sick!) studio release last year. Superb psychedelic groove instrumentals of the guarantee-you'll-dig variety. Let me know if you don't. The material breathes in the live setting, but either way, get involved with these most excellent pieces.
Bandcamp: https://richruth.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-third-man-records
Spotify: https://spotify.link/eXGvyhNtCyb
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/live-at-third-man-records/1676520335
Live at Third Man Records, by Rich Ruth
9 track album
Evdude