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
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
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
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
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
9 track album
#recommNeds #newmusic #MusicDiscovery
2023.28
Nico Paulo: s/t
Listened to this on the plane and just a delightful set of lovely, folky love songs. Debut LP with lots of magic within. If this don't pull your heartstrings just a little, not sure what to tell you. Enjoy!
Bandcamp: https://nicopaulo.bandcamp.com/album/nico-paulo
Spotify: https://spotify.link/74civVGmTyb
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/nico-paulo/1673100841
10 track album
#recommNeds #newmusic #MusicDiscovery
2023.29
Ivan the Tolerable: Black Water/Brown Earth
Patient, brooding, totally freakin awesome psychjazz from England by way of the Netherlands (natch). This is the work of Oli Heffeman who plays almost all the music on here, and dang, ain't it something else. This one will draw you in and hold you there for a good while. I do think you'll dig. Enjoy!
Bandcamp: https://ivanthetolerable.bandcamp.com/album/black-water-brown-earth-lp-cs-dl-up-in-her-room-2023
Spotify: https://spotify.link/bO273FloWyb
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/black-water-brown-earth/1666735226
11 track album
#recommNeds #newmusic #MusicDiscovery
2023.30
Andrew Gabbard: Cedar City Sweetheart
Gabbard tours on guitar with the Black Keys, but his latest is a blend of cosmic country and mild psychedelic groove. Killer songs and a nuanced but comfortable sound. This is sonic comfort food for your forthcoming weekend or whenever. Enjoy!
Bandcamp: https://andrewgabbard.bandcamp.com/album/cedar-city-sweetheart-2
Spotify: https://spotify.link/XpADkThLZyb
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/cedar-city-sweetheart/1662378067
12 track album
#recommNeds #newmusic #MusicDiscovery
2023.31
Bart: Some Kind of Way
A Canadian band called Bart, how could you not at least give em a try? This is one of those albums where it's hard to believe it's the same band, they genre-hop and shape-shift from track to track, permutations of sounds you already love. But whatever they're playing at the moment, it's freakin great, so it works. Enjoy!
Bandcamp: https://barttheband.bandcamp.com/album/some-kind-of-way
Spotify: https://spotify.link/cIF0ufuN4yb
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/some-kind-of-way/1653809446
9 track album
#recommNeds #newmusic #MusicDiscovery
2023.32
Sissoko/Segal/Parisien/Peirani: Les Egares
Here's something that's probably not in your normal listening palette. Four masters of their instruments combine as a quartet creating a quite-wonderful, very unique sonic texture. Kora, cello, accordion, and saxophone just work together on this one. Lovely and engaging, try it! Enjoy!
Bandcamp: https://actrecords.bandcamp.com/album/les-gar-s-1
Spotify: https://spotify.link/mFWa7wI17yb
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/les-%C3%A9gar%C3%A9s/1671541157
10 track album
#recommNeds #newmusic #MusicDiscovery
2023.33
James Holden: Imagine This Is A High Dimensional Space Of All Possibilities
Holden continues to make me happy, one release at a time. Organic, spiritual, patient electronic music. Dance music for your soul. They're all good, and this is his latest and it'll kick your weekend off right. Enjoy!
Bandcamp: https://jamesholden.bandcamp.com/album/imagine-this-is-a-high-dimensional-space-of-all-possibilities
Spotify: https://spotify.link/rJXZPj1pbzb
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/imagine-this-is-a-high-dimensional-space-of/1663100602
12 track album
#recommNeds #newmusic #MusicDiscovery
2023.34
Freaksville National Orchestra: s/t
Sometimes we just need our rock and roll to be fun, am I right? There's nothing not fun about this Liverpool ensemble. How could it with a name like that? Fiery guitars, bombastic rhythms, catchy hooks, some garage energy and plenty of instrumental boogie. Betcha ya dig. Enjoy!
Bandcamp: https://freaksvillenationalorchestra.bandcamp.com/album/freaksville-national-orchestra
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/0MXxvLozLTM8xsEYpZQE4T
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/freaksville-national-orchestra/1648934065
12 track album
#recommNeds #newmusic #MusicDiscovery
2023.35
Sunbörn: s/t
Fridays are great for Eurojams, no? This Denmark band is a little, uh, sunnier than your typical Denmark jammer, but their jazz-inflected instrumental psychedelia is super engaging and goes deep when it has to. I do believe this is the good stuff, pösitive vibes ftw. Please dig in. Enjoy!
Bandcamp: https://tramprecords.bandcamp.com/album/sunb-rn
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/5AX9YBiBhxI9L3sxGknWxH
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/sunb%C3%B6rn/1667728878
8 track album
#recommNeds #newmusic #MusicDiscovery
2023.36
Mute Duo: Migrant Flocks
Is there somewhere that people are talking about this masterpiece that I'm not aware of? Haven't heard a peep about it and it's a, uh, masterpiece. If your favorite band played an ambient jam like the instrumental pieces on here, you'd be best-shit-ever'ing that shit. Pedal steel love. Highest recommendation. Enjoy!
Bandcamp: https://muteduoadr.bandcamp.com/album/migrant-flocks
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/0U7lTSRdLQFqiLh8ofyV0W
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/migrant-flocks/1669386061
7 track album
#recommNeds #newmusic #MusicDiscovery
2023.37
Cinder Well: Cadence
Sparse. Haunting. Lovely. Heck, throw in alllll the adjectives for Amelia Baker's latest. This is stark, cold-winter, introspective folk at its finest. From Ireland via California, and sounding every bit like it. Enjoy!
Bandcamp: https://cinderwell.bandcamp.com/album/cadence
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3JbWIzI320YwRDOY3EoRSG
9 track album
#recommNeds #newmusic #MusicDiscovery
2023.38
Koffie: kokon
I can't say for sure, but I'm pretty confident that what your Friday needs is this lil EP that could. This Amsterdam band has got 6 quick-hit tracks of burning afroboogie. Over before you know it and will have you looking to hit that repeat button for another dose of the goods. Trust me. Enjoy!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2zckcXgFYNW53mXVfKlwLK
#recommNeds #newmusic #MusicDiscovery
2023.39
Issei Herr: Distant Intervals
Herr is a cellist that does the layers-of-loops thing with samples and improvisation built into the strata. That doesn't always translate in a studio recording, but it definitely works here on her debut full-length. There's a journey in each piece, drama and beauty. This is good stuff, thoughtful & meditative. Enjoy!
Bandcamp: https://isseiherr.bandcamp.com/album/distant-intervals
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3MU2c9AzevbECRJisP8LmQ
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/distant-intervals/1667664992
9 track album
#recommNeds #newmusic #MusicDiscovery
2023.40
Bearzatti/Gallo/Tamborrino: Post Atomic Zep
How about three Italian dudes doing jazz jams on Zeppelin tunes for your Friday listening? You'd check that out, right? Kind of like Bustle in Your Hedgerow, but slightly more Italian and a bit jazzier. Definitely worth a few minutes of your time, I wouldn't steer you wrong. Enjoy!
Bandcamp: https://dokumentamusic.bandcamp.com/album/post-atomic-zep
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7206N7g0vqqhankdDanJw8
Apple: https://music.apple.com/ru/album/post-atomic-zep/1676963051
11 track album
neddyo
JoshAlcorn