New Releases - 3/8/24
Hitting The Racks
Here's your weekly rundown of what's hitting the new release racks at Grimey's
New Releases
Erika Angell – The Obsession With Her Voice CD/LP (Constellation)
Montréal-based Swedish vocalist and composer Erika Angell defies categorization. Across sixteen independently produced albums and innumerable collaborations, Angell has been a poetic and audacious force in genre-defying music. Her voice has been described as "a guiding presence" (Exclaim) that "splits the difference between the divine and demonic, skillfully unhinged" (Under The Radar) and "sits alongside the greatest indie female artists who are not afraid of anything" (Le Devoir). Raised on an island on the west coast of Sweden, her musical trajectory began in earnest when she moved to Stockholm in 2004 and became a member of noted collective label and venue Fylkingen (the oldest organization in Europe for experimental music and art, founded in 1933).
Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band – BRSB CD/LP (Big Crown)
Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band, the mysterious steel pan outfit hailing from Hamburg, Germany have amassed a cult following around the globe. With a slew of classic 7"s and three critically acclaimed full length albums, they set a high bar for themselves, one they clearly intend on pushing even higher with this new offering. On their fourth album BRSB, Bacao are back with more of the same, but more of the same with them is inherently different. Covering songs that span genres and range from mega hits to underground album cuts, they make them their own with their unique approach to the traditional steel pans of Trinidad and Tobago. [Indie store exclusive yellow vinyl.]
Bleachers – Bleachers CD/LP (Dirty Hit)
Bleachers return with their self-titled new album. Bleachers is Jack Antonoff's distinctly New Jersey take on the bizarre sensory contradictions of modern life, on his position in culture, and the things he cares about. Sonically, it's sad, it's joyful, it's music for driving on the highway, for crying to and for dancing to at weddings. There's something reassuringly touchable and concrete about its sentiment: exist in crazy times but remember what counts. [Indie store exclusive blue vinyl.]
Russell Dickerson – The Afterparty Deluxe 2xLP (Triple Tigers)
Multiplatinum Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Russell Dickerson has established himself a prolific songwriter and powerhouse showman through good old-fashioned performances and eloquent songcraft spiked with spirit. "This deluxe album is a more complete picture of this record and of me as an artist. Getting to dive deeper into who I am and showcase live recordings in a way I haven't done before. It's almost as if the self-titled album wasn't finished yet and the deluxe completes this record and this moment in my life."
Dion – Girl Friends CD/LP (KTBA)
Inspired by the muse that is the "feminine genius," Dion's new album Girl Friends sees him collaborating with an exceptional lineup of special female artists including the soulful Susan Tedeschi, blues powerhouse Shemekia Copeland, country icon Carlene Carter, blues virtuoso Joanne Shaw Taylor, and the versatile Maggie Rose, among others.
Eartheater – Powders LP (Mad Decent)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Shapeshifting between electronic experimentation and acoustic texture, the Queens-based artist has long delved into themes of erosion and lithification, along with the infinite possibilities of metamorphosis. On her new album Powders, alchemical forces connect ideas from every stage of her career just as they dissolve her practice into atomized particles ripe for reconstitution. The results find Eartheater at a fertile crossroads, honing her pop songwriting and lyrics to their most vivid state to date-all without losing the thread of experimentation that has always enlivened her work.
The Goldenrods – Cry Time LP (Goldenrods Music)
The Goldenrods' debut album Cry Time heralds the triumphant return of frontman Ryan Koenig, who came face to face with death after being run over by a car while on tour in 2017. Following the accident, he left his longtime gig with Pokey LaFarge to focus on healing. During a long and brutal recovery, he began to get his memory back and took to writing songs again, leading to the formation of the band. Best described as "country and Midwestern," the Goldenrods perform old time, Tex-Mex, Cajun, country, and folk flavors that accompany tales of heartache and heartbreak alongside upbeat dance numbers.
Kim Gordon – The Collective CD/LP (Matador)
Legendary musician and multi-disciplinary artist Kim Gordon returns with her second solo album, The Collective. Recorded in her native Los Angeles, The Collective follows Gordon's 2019 full-length debut No Home Record and continues her collaboration with producer Justin Raisen (Lil Yachty, John Cale, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Charli XCX, Yves Tumor), with additional production from Anthony Paul Lopez. The album advances their joint world building, with Raisin's damaged, blown out dub and trap constructions playing the foil to Gordon's intuitive word collages and hooky mantras, which conjure communication, commercial sublimation, and sensory overload.
Dylan Gossett – No Better Time CD (Republic)
Austin-born singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Dylan Gossett makes a mark with his dusty instrumentation, gravelly vocal delivery, and emotionally vulnerable lyrics on his debut EP No Better Time. [Vinyl version due March 22.]
Ariana Grande – Eternal Sunshine CD/LP (Republic)
Eternal Sunshine is the seventh studio album by Ariana Grande. Includes the single "Yes, And?". [Limited-edition ruby red color vinyl with alternate cover.]
Luke Grimes – Luke Grimes CD (Mercury Nashville)
Luke Grimes is a natural-born creative: an actor, musician, singer, and songwriter. His eponymous debut album, produced by Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton), arrives on the heels of Grimes' gritty, acclaimed 2023 EP, Pain Pills Or Pews, and features 13 tracks.
Norah Jones – Visions CD/LP (Blue Note/Capitol)
Visions is a vibrant and joyous 12-song set that finds Jones singing about feeling free, wanting to dance, making it right, and acceptance of what life brings. It’s the yang to the yin that was Pick Me Up Off The Floor, Jones’ last album of new original songs which was released early in the pandemic lockdown of 2020 and foreshadowed many of the dark emotions of that period. Visions is a collaboration with producer and multi-instrumentalist Leon Michels. Michels played saxophone in Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings and has performed with Lee Fields & The Expressions, Dan Auerbach’s band The Arcs, Menahan Street Band, and his own project El Michels Affair. Michels and Jones first collaborated on the single “Can You Believe” and later worked together on Jones’ 2021 holiday album I Dream of Christmas. Visions also features contributions from trumpeter Dave Guy, bassist Jesse Murphy, and drummers Brian Blade and Homer Steinweiss. [Indie store exclusive ‘sun-kissed’ orange vinyl.]
Judas Priest – Invincible Shield CD/2xLP (Sony Music)
Invincible Shield is the nineteenth studio album by British heavy metal band Judas Priest. Announced onstage at Power Trip Festival in California, the new record marks the band's first release in six years, having recently celebrated 50 years in music and 50 million records sold. Judas Priest is Rob Halford, Ian Hill, Glenn Tipton, Scott Travis, and Richie Faulkner. [Indie store exclusive red vinyl.]
The Taj Mahal Sextet – Swingin’ Live At The Church In Tulsa CD/2xLP (Lightning Rod)
With his latest release, Swingin' Live At The Church In Tulsa, Taj adds to his legendary legacy with an extraordinary set recorded at the Tulsa studio best known as the home base of the late, great Leon Russell. The ten songs reach across multiple genres that he has explored in his incomparable career, and feature his long-time quartet-bassist Bill Rich, drummer Kester Smith, and guitarist/Hawaiian lap steel player Bobby Ingano-augmented by dobro player Rob Ickes and guitarist and vocalist Trey Hensley. [Limited edition gold vinyl.] Don’t miss Taj Mahal when he performs an intimate live solo set on the Grimey’s stage next Thursday, March 14th at 4:30PM!
Moor Mother – The Great Bailout LP (ANTI-)
Moor Mother is an American musician, poet, and interdisciplinary artist known for her avant-garde and experimental work. The Great Bailout is an expansive meditation that acts as a non-linear word map about colonialism, slavery, and commerce in Great Britain. Featuring guest contributions from Lonnie Holley, Angel Bat Dawid & Sistas of the Nitty Gritty, Vijay Iyer, Mary Lattimore, and more, it's Moor Mother's most uncompromising vision to date. Moor Mother has gained recognition for her unique blend of spoken word, noise, and electronic music, addressing themes of race, gender, and socio-political issues. She hails from Philadelphia and has been an influential figure in the city's vibrant arts and music scene.
Plain White T’s – Plain White T’s LP (Fearless)
White vinyl. Plain White T's return with their self-titled album that includes a mix of gorgeous acoustic love songs and the pop-rock majestic sing-a-longs they are known for. With notable press in 2023 from CNN, People, Entertainment Tonight, Newsweek and more, Plain White T's have proven to be a continued musical force as well as a career band that shows no signs of slowing down.
Chris Potter – Eagle’s Point CD/2xLP (Edition)
Featuring a modern-day supergroup of supergroups including Brad Mehldau, John Patitucci and Brian Blade, Eagle’s Point is an electrifying testament to modern jazz, uniting four unparalleled luminaries within the genre, performing eight original compositions written by Chris especially for the recording session. The planets finally aligned; despite never having the time to perform together, this supergroup seized the opportunity in late 2022 and assembled to record this landmark album.
Bolis Pupul – Letter To Yu CD/LP (Because Music)
Following acclaimed Topical Dancer album with Charlotte Adigéry, here comes Letter To Yu, Bolis Pupul's debut solo album, produced by fellow Belgians, Soulwax. It's no coincidence that Bolis Pupul's music sounds the way it does. Born in Belgium to a Chinese mother and Belgian father and raised in Ghent, Bolis' electronica is a joyous cross-cultural assemblage. The creation of the album is built around Bolis' trip to Hong Kong earlier this year, made to reconnect with his mother's roots.
Skeletal Remains – Fragments Of The Ageless CD/LP (Century Media)
American act Skeletal Remains prepare another death metal assault on Fragments Of The Ageless. The line-up of Chris Monroy (guitars/vocals), Mike de la O (guitars), Pierce Williams (drums), and Brian Rush (bass) embody the genre, going deeper, darker, and to the edges of brutality. "Fragments Of The Ageless is a pummeling slab of pure death metal," says the band. "A tyrannical blast-laden barrage of no-frills riffs and compositions." [Indie store exclusive version and an opaque spring green edition.]
Verity Den - Verity Den LP (Amish Records)
Verity Den is composed of Carrboro-via-Bellingham sound engineer and songwriter Casey Proctor (Harusplex Palace, Holy Sons) with Trevor Reece and Mike Wallace. Casey and Trevor initially met as members of an ad-hoc improv ensemble performing tape loops, strings, and electronics as part of a multi-disciplinary series hosted on a rooftop in Chapel Hill called Attic 506. Engineered and mixed at home by Casey, the LP presents a guitar music refracted through clamor and tenderness, static and hiss, drum machine and synth. The lyrics survey themes of existential exhaustion and impressionistic reflections, all bound with persistent hooks and equally acidic edges.
VHS Head - Phasia LP (Skam)
Ten-track album with worldwide pressing of 500 copies. VHS Head's Phasia elaborates on the scenes and soundscapes of Phocus, building an even further in-depth view of the world portrayed by the central character -- is it the beginning and the end? Ten Episodes you can easily binge in one go! Enjoy. Written and produced by Ade Blacow. Sleeve design by Sophie Rogerson. Mastering by Bola.
Vitriol – Suffer & Become CD (Century Media)
“Vitriol still carries a base sound defined by the Floridian über-heaviness of Hate Eternal, with bits of the bombastic blackened brutality of Behemoth, the crippling clinicality of Cryptopsy, and the acidic, anguished absurdity of Anaal Nathrakh, but this time around, the compositions (and production) allow for a bit more breathing room—and the album benefits greatly because of it.” – Holdeneye, Angry Metal Guy [A limited-edition orange vinyl pressing is available for special order.]
Jordan Ward – Forward LP (Interscope)
Translucent pink vinyl. R/B standout Jordan Ward comes fully into his own with the release of his debut album, Forward, and delivers on the promise that has made him one of the most anticipated breakthrough acts of 2023. The 14-track album features fan favorites including "White Crocs", "Mustard (feat. 6LACK)," and more. Jordan crisscrosses an array of sounds and moods, but whether he’s tackling an infectious, radio-ready bop or a tender love song, Jordan Ward stamps his unique style of R&B on each track.
Reissues, Comps, Live Recordings, Vault Excavations...
Azymuth - Outubro LP (Far Out Recordings)
Following on from their seminal Light As A Feather LP, Outubro (October) was originally released in 1980 and began Azymuth's run of prolific output for Milestone Records throughout the decade. Typifying the consummate craftsmanship of the three members' performances, their perfectionist attitude toward sound beautifully colors the expressionist fusion of samba rhythm, jazz progression, funk attitude and psychedelic electronics. The album hosts a wonderful mix of tempos and styles, from Alex Malheiros' earth-shaking slap-bass on "Dear Limmertz," which was to become a hit on London's underground disco and jazz-dance club scenes alike, to the late maestro Jose Roberto Bertrami's genial melodic Rhodes excursions on the vocoder laden, samba-jazz masterpiece "Un Amigo," while Ivan "Mamao" Conti's signature swing on "Maracana" exemplifies the root of Azymuth's "samba doidoi" (crazy samba) philosophy.
Kelsea Ballerini – Rolling Up The Welcome Mat LP (Black River Ent.)
Dual amber/opaque grey w/ black smoke marbled vinyl. Limited colored vinyl LP pressing housed in gatefold jacket. Includes poster. Rolling Up the Welcome Mat is the second EP by country pop singer Kelsea Ballerini, originally released in 2023.
Deerhoof – Reveille [Reissue/2002] LP (Joyful Noise)
2002's Reveille is a defiant expression of artistic rebirth, spilling over with madcap exuberance, apocalyptic imagery, newfound technical confidence belying their no-budget DIY recording methods, and jarring stylistic about-faces in which no two songs sound alike. The contrast of Satomi's ever-catchy, ever-charming melodiousness with John and Greg's noisy, cinematic bombast still has the power to thrill and tickle and upset, more than 20 years after its initial release. Includes reimagined cover art with the faint morning glow the band had always envisioned, pressed on clear sun-color vinyl.
Dry Cleaning – Boundary Road Snacks And Drinks + Sweet Princess CD/LP (4AD)
Following two critically acclaimed John Parish-produced studio albums - New Long Leg (2021) and Stumpwork (2022) - South London's Dry Cleaning take a moment to reflect on their journey and pay homage to their roots with the release of their first two EPs, now remastered and reissued together on one single record with the original artwork and lyric sheet. [Limited-edition translucent blue vinyl.]
Ella Fitzgerald – Great Women Of Song: Ella Fitzgerald CD/LP (Verve)
Verve Records releases the latest editions in its breakout Great Women Of Song series, which pays homage to the ground-breaking work and lasting impact of some of the greatest female vocalists of all time. Known internationally as "The First Lady of Song", Ella Fitzgerald was also, importantly, the first lady of Verve Records-the label that was essentially created for her by her manager and the label's founder, Norman Granz. This collection brings together Ella's most cherished recordings in the company of American music's greatest performers and composers-Louis Armstrong, George & Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin and Jerome Kern, among many others.
Hakushi Hasegawa – Somoku Hodo [Reissue/2018] LP+MP3 (Brainfeeder)
Hakushi Hasegawa – Air Ni Ni [Reissue/2019] LP+MP3 (Brainfeeder)
Hakushi Hasegawa is a musician/singer-songwriter based in Tokyo, Japan, and the first Japanese artist signed to the Brainfeeder label. Brainfeeder announced the signing back in July 2023 and shared a single – “Mouth Flash (Kuchinohanabi)” – featuring bass by the super-talented Sam Wilkes (Leaving Records). Consistent with Brainfeeder’s ethos of seeking out artists operating outside the confines of genre since the label started in 2008, Hakushi’s music is tricky to categorize as it straddles a few genres: alternative, electronic, jazz, pop/J-pop. Sometimes it’s pretty, at times it’s very intense and fast-paced. Releasing since 2018, they’ve already made a name for themselves domestically in Japan with a string of wonderfully wild releases and started to build a cult following internationally.
Carmen McRae – Great Women Of Song: Carmen McRae CD/LP (Verve)
Verve Records releases the latest editions in its breakout Great Women Of Song series, which pays homage to the ground-breaking work and lasting impact of some of the greatest female vocalists of all time. Like her idol Billie Holiday, Carmen McRae could own a ballad and make it all her own. She could also swing every bit as hard as her other main influence, Ella Fitzgerald. Coming up during the bebop era and under the musical sway of Thelonious Monk, Carmen made a series of recordings for the Decca label that would cement her reputation and launch a career that close to 50 years. Whether in small groups or backed by a studio orchestra, Carmen McRae recorded definitive versions of songs that make up the backbones of jazz and the Great American Songbook.
Pixies – Pixies At The BBC 2xCD/3xLP (4AD)
Between 1988 and 1991 - during the band's 4AD years - Pixies recorded six sessions for the BBC, five for John Peel and one for Mark Goodier. Catching the raw energy of the band's live performances, these sessions felt immediately noteworthy, timestamping a moment when Black Francis, Kim Deal, Joey Santiago, and David Lovering were motoring out front.
The Rolling Stones – Live At The Wiltern 2xCD/2xCD+DVD/2xCD+Blu-ray/3xLP (Mercury Studios)
In November 2002, the Stones arrived in Los Angeles to perform at a packed Wiltern Theatre, treating fans to a set heavy on rarities which feel right at home in such an intimate setting. While some of the hits are performed, this night at the Wiltern is for the rarely played classics, including “Stray Cat Blues”, “No Expectations”, and a cover of “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love” featuring a guest spot by the legendary Solomon Burke, who opened the show that night.
Various Artists – The Music Never Stopped: The Roots Of The Grateful Dead LP (Shanachie)
In their long career The Grateful Dead have been inspired by a stunning variety of American musical artists and traditions from blues to country to rock to folk - some of the most exciting and moving music ever recorded. Here are the original versions of The Dead's best loved cover tunes that surprise and delight with their musical depth, originality, and feeling. This collection has been lovingly compiled by a group of Dead insiders including Henry Kaiser, David Gans, and others with the enthusiastic support of The Dead itself. There are extensive notes included that give an overview detailing how the band came to cover each of these tunes and when they first played them in concert.
Various Artists – The Roots Of Robert Johnson: Back To The Cross-Roads LP (Shanachie)
This collection assembles the range of sources that Robert Johnson heard and learned from including songs from his mentor Son House and from other Delta performers and from sources that show aspects of the musical world in which he lived. His tastes ranged far and wide and he had a gift for absorbing sounds of all kinds, including from tin pan alley to hillbilly songs. He was a brilliant creative musician who managed a stunningly effective fusion of his Delta roots and the smoother approach of the then prominent contemporary blues artists. As with any genius in any field he was able to produce great work only because he was standing on the shoulders of previous great artists. This collection introduces a number of them and gives a sense of how Johnson adapted and combined their styles.
Various Artists – They Move In The Night LP (Numero)
Discovered after spending 58 years on a dusty shelf in the Louis Wayne Moody Pictures vault, this previously unissued soundtrack contains a backpack's worth of grieving guitars, somber surf, and haunting hiss, zipped tight with the teeth of abandonment, dashed dreams, moral ambiguity, fate, tearful goodbyes, and lukewarm diner coffee. Because the long arm of society nips at their heels... They Move In The Night. [Limited-edition opaque dark purple vinyl.]
Various Artists – You’re Not From Around Here LP (Numero)
The previously unissued soundtrack to the 1964 noir, You're Not From Around Here, discovered after 55 years in the Louis Wayne Moody archive. A hobo's bindle full of twangy tremolo, reverb-drenched revenge, and existential echo. Songs of alienation, paranoia, dark alleys, betrayal, prison, prostitution, trains, gun play, feminine betrayal, and the dusty, lonely road of self-discovery. A black and white affair trapped under the weight of a post-war technicolor allure, You're Not From Around Here lives in a universe of moral ambiguity. [Limited edition transparent w/ red splatter vinyl.]
Viagra Boys – Welfare Jazz [Reissue/2021] 2xLP (Year0001 AB)
Viagra Boys The band's album, Welfare Jazz, doesn't bargain with the anxiety in that defeated feeling, but rather a boiling certainty that nothing and no one is absolute. There's plenty of blame to go around, and things are just a lot more interesting when you admit that you're not always going to be nice, you're not always going to pick the right words in a fistfight. So why not keep moving forward, swaying, and strutting into the night.