New Releases - 7/2/21

Hitting The Racks

Here's your weekly rundown of what's hitting the new release racks at Grimey's

New Releases

Action/Adventure – Pulling Focus LP (Pure Noise)

There's a big pop punk revival happening right now, and one of the genre's most promising newer bands is Chicago's Action/Adventure. Their new album Pulling Focus is unabashedly catchy, glossy pop punk with a hardcore/emo edge in the vein of early 2000s Drive-Thru Records or early 2010s stuff like The Wonder Years.

At The Gates – The Nightmare Of Being CD/LP/2xCD+Book/2xLP+3xCD (Century Media)

The undisputed masters of Swedish death metal deliver what can only be described as the finest album of their career to date. A concept album that explores the dark revelations contained in pessimist philosophy, The Nightmare Of Being unveils a newly liberated and adventurous At The Gates, via some of the bravest and most mesmerizing material they have ever written. Quite unlike anything the band has previously released, The Nightmare Of Being plumbs existential depths and conjures some profound questions for anyone bold enough to engage. [The deluxe CD edition is packaged in a mediabook digipak and includes the Live At Roadburn set. A limited-edition indie-store exclusive ‘bone’ vinyl edition is also available.]

Marina Allen – Candlepower CD/LP+MP3 (Fire)

Marina Allen glides on angelic highs, surfing the husky deep; she is one of the great new voices of her generation. Writing songs that carry notes from other realms; these are kitchen table tales about love and fear, the capturing of the wild heart, sketching the breaking of dawn, bringing real life back to life. Every song on her stunning debut album Candlepower is a tick box of influences, asides, inspirations, quickfire theories, storylines and melodic progressions that galvanize a chemical reaction for each dramatic scene that unfolds on this genre-traversing seven song epic.

Cub Scout Bowling Pins – Clang Clang Ho CD (Guided By Voice)

Cub Scout Bowling Pins hop in the Magic Taxi, turn on the AM radio and time travel 40 to 45 years back in time. The project is mysteriously presented, but it's a thinly veiled alias of the ridiculously prolific and talented Guided By Voices. Minus the usual punk and prog influences, there are strong whiffs of bubble gum, psych and soft rock with sugary doses of ornate baroque pop. [Vinyl is due 7/30.]

The Deep Dark Woods – Changing Faces LP (Six Shooter)

Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. On Changing Faces, The Deep Dark Woods is an Atlantic folk revivalist collective. Ryan Boldt's delicate melodies and metallic-stringed bite rattle centuries-old folkloric ghosts and personal demons alike. The Deep Dark Woods, a band with few fixed members, is a vessel for Boldt, keyboard wonder Geoff Hilhorst and frequent collaborators, Kacy & Clayton and Evan Cheadle, among others, to find their own vocabulary for translating traditional folk forms - Irish waltzes, Broadside Ballads, ominous lullabies - to contemporary electric terms. [Indie exclusive grey & black vinyl.]

William Fitzsimmons – Ready The Astronaut LP (Nettwerk)

Limited color vinyl pressing. The appeal of William Fitzsimmons' sound is indicative of his unique upbringing and consequent life experience. Over the course of his career, Fitzsimmons has made his living writing a specific brand of honest and inward-looking folk songs that fearlessly and candidly examine the evolving self while dexterously communicating his talent for robust melodies and catchy instrumentation. [Includes bonus CD.]

Bobby Gillespie & Jehnny Beth – Utopian Ashes CD (Third Man)

“During the course of a 35-year career, ‘sensitive’ and ‘mature’ are not adjectives that have often been wheeled out to describe Bobby Gillespie’s lyrics. Indeed, the Primal Scream lead singer’s canon of work has generally favored MC5-lite rebel posturing over insight and depth. All of which makes this collaboration with former Savages frontwoman Jehnny Beth such a welcome surprise. The pair have written a set of songs located within the wreckage of a marriage that is falling apart, with both parties torn between looking back with remorse and nostalgia on what’s been lost and moving on and making a new start alone. Recorded with Gillespie’s Scream bandmates, as well as Beth’s regular foil Johnny Hostile, as much care has gone into the arrangements as the lyrics.” – The Guardian [Vinyl edition due September 24.]

The Go! Team – Get Up Sequences Part One LP+MP3 (Memphis Industries)

The Go! Team has created a musical world distinctly of their own making here. A place where routine is outlawed, and perfection is the enemy. Where Ennio Morricone meets the Monkees armed with flutes, glockenspiels, steel drums and a badass analogue attitude. We're talking widescreen, four-track, channel hopping sounds that are instantly recognizable.

Dave Holland – Another Land LP (Edition)

Over the course of an over five-decade career, bassist/composer Dave Holland has never stopped evolving, reinventing his concept and approach with each new project while constantly honing his instantly identifiable voice. He returns here with a power-packed set and a new all-star trio of jazz heavyweights, featuring superstar guitarist Kevin Eubanks and drumming prodigy Obed Calvaire. The funky, rocky, powerful collection Another Land finds the writing credits spread between the three artists.

Kurtiss - The Curtis Vodka EP (Mutual Intentions)

Kurtiss is a shadowy and enigmatic figure working on the boundaries of civilization. A sporadic figure on the house music scene with eccentric habits, Kurtiss’ music is a rarified sonic experience for those who seek it out. It’s an attitude that he lays bare on this rare contribution to the physical, recorded format for Mutual Intentions on ‘The Curtis Vodka EP’. Elements of gospel and New York’s deeper inclinations in house music seep through his sound as archived vocal samples and noisy machines give his work its defining character.

L'Orange & Namir Blade – Imaginary Everything LP (Mello Music Group)

Namir Blade controls the clouds and the concrete. With the blink of a synapse, his imagination conjures elaborate visions of valleys of death, bad Tijuana dreams, and shotgun raids. In the next breath, he's blowing off texts, rolling out of bed around noon, and crooning falsetto pleas about his willingness to change. The Nashville' artist's latest, Imaginary Everything is a work of teleportation and twisted fantasy, a wig-flipping blast of surrealism and slang editorials.

Laura Mvula – Pink Noise LP (Atlantic)

One of the most exciting musical talents to come out of the UK, Laura Mvula returns with new album Pink Noise. The album is an example of her newly found light, still reflecting her distinctive signature sound - her inventive, atmospheric mix of R&B, jazz, classical, and pop - but also showing the progression of an artist who has come into her own. A blend of neo-soul meets art pop in a new cosmic realm filled with confessional lyricism and compelling synth pop.

Carlos Niño & Friends – More Energy Fields, Current CD/LP (Internation Anthem)

A definitive new peak in the recorded continuum of prolific producer/percussionist Carlos Niño, elegantly presented in his unique 'Spiritual, Improvisational, Space Collage' style. Featuring contributions from more than a dozen exciting voices from the creative music constellation of Los Angeles. [Limited edition ‘water spirits’ color vinyl, includes prints.]

Bebe Rexha – Better Mistakes CD (WB)

Singer-songwriter Bebe Rexha’s sophomore album features guest contributions by Doja Cat, Travis Barker, Lil Uzi Vert, Lunay, Ty Dolla $ign, Rick Ross and more “Better Mistakes is by far the most challenging yet fulfilling project I have ever worked on. I wrote, recorded, re-wrote, re-recorded and then repeated that process in order to deliver an album that truly reflects who I am as a singer, songwriter and most importantly as an artist. I want to give listeners a journey of pop paradise fused with elements of rock and hip-hop. It’s important to me that my music continues to recognize ongoing themes of vulnerability, the cycle of self-destruction & self-realization, and female empowerment.” [Vinyl edition due this Fall.)

Rebecca Vasmant - With Love, from Glasgow LP (Rebecca's Records)

Having made a name for herself with a residency at Sub Club, Glaswegian musician, producer, DJ and curator Rebecca Vasmant took the lead in curating the first live jazz showcases at the venue. While promoting and touring in over 22 countries over the last five years, Rebecca has honed her craft on production projects which feature world class musicians from The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and more. Though known for its rich musical heritage, Glasgow is not a city perhaps synonymous with jazz. However, on With Love, From Glasgow, this is all about to change, as Rebecca and her cohort of hand-picked musicians set out to change people's opinions. Rebecca explains: "There is such crazy wealth of talent in this city of Glasgow and I wanted to make an album that helped to demonstrate this and which captures my own love and passion for deep and spiritual music." RIYL: Matthew Halsall, Greg Foat Group, Andrew Wasylyk, Floating Points, Amanda Whiting.

Bella White – Just Like Leaving CD (Rounder)

Just Like Leaving bears a powerful authenticity that prompted Rolling Stone to praise White's songwriting as sublime Appalachian heartbreak. In sculpting the album's sparse but lushly detailed sound, White worked with a lineup of musicians she encountered through years of making the rounds at roots-music festivals, including Reed Stutz on mandolin/vocals; Julian Pinelli on fiddle/vocals, and Robert Alan Mackie on bass. [Vinyl edition due September 24.]

Witch Of The Vale – Commemorate LP (Cleopatra)

Ethereal and haunting, Scottland's Witch Of The Vale release their debut full-length. [Limited-edition red vinyl.]

Jeremy Zucker/Chelsea Cutler – brent ii 12” (Republic)

After receiving widespread critical acclaim, singers, songwriters and producers Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea Cutler release their new five-song EP, brent ii.

Reissues, Compilations, Live Recordings & Vault Excavations...

Dead Meadow – Live At Roadburn 2011 LP (Roadburn Productions)

Maybe it's 2020-2021's effect of making one extra nostalgic for live music and the festival spirit, but the intervening decade has done nothing to dull the luster of Dead Meadow's' exemplary Live At Roadburn 2011. The renowned Dutch festival that year featured the likes of Zoroaster, Quest For Fire, Naam, Acid King and The Atomic Bitchwax... on the first day. L.A. by way of D.C. three-piece Dead Meadow played the last day, what was then called the Afterburner, and their slot could not have been more appropriate. Sandwiched between Coffins and evening headliners Black Mountain on the main stage, they offered a mellow-heavy hour that was utterly consuming.

Jun Kamoda - Jun Kamoda 2xLP (Black Acre)

2018 release. Making music as Illreme for over 15 years, as well as being a member of hip-hop trio Baleine 3000, Jun Kamoda has been a formidable force in Japan's music scene for quite some time. Kamoda's productions here weave together choppy hip-hop drums, uplifting melodies, and Balearic touchstones, drawing from house, new-age disco, and tuneful funk to synthesize a sprawling, energizing dance record.

Chris LeDoux – Wyoming Cowboy: A Collection LP (Capitol Nashville)

Legendary entertainer and rodeo world champion Chris LeDoux's life and legacy is celebrated on this vinyl collection of fan favorites, rarities, and live tracks.

Mello Music Group – Bushido LP (Mello Music)

In feudal Japan, the Bushido Code defined the way of the samurai. It was a blueprint to conduct warfare with honor: a system built upon the qualities of rectitude and courage, honor and loyalty. In the modern world, these historical tenets may seem antiquated, or sometimes even obsolete. But the power of tradition is resolute and unyielding. The art of the rugged drum and the razor tongued rap are timeless. This is Bushido, the latest Mello Music compilation gathering the current roster and the label's closest brethren. As always, the core shoguns are present: Apollo Brown, Oddisee, Quelle Chris, L'Orange, Joell Ortiz, Skyzoo, and Homeboy Sandman.

Joni Mitchell – The Reprise Albums (1968-1971) 4xCD/4xLP (Rhino)

The Reprise Years (1968-1971) features newly remastered versions of Joni Mitchell's first four studio albums - Song To A Seagull (1968), Clouds (1969), Ladies Of The Canyon (1970), and Blue (1971). In the case of Song To A Seagull, the original mix has been recently updated by Mitchell and mixer Matt Lee. The cover art for the set features a previously unseen self-portrait Mitchell drew during the time period and includes an essay by Grammy winning singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile.

Andrew Pekler - Tristes Tropiques LP (Faitiche)

Repress of the 2016 release. An album of synthetic exotica, pseudo-ethnographic music and unreal field recordings. About this record, Pekler says: "as a listener and as a musician, exotica music of the 1950s and '60s has always been a constant reference point and inspiration. And perhaps my listening has been "ruined" by exotica, but as I have dug deeper into ethnographic archives of "traditional" music, I've come to the realization that all recordings that evoke, allude to, or ostensibly document other musical forms have a similar effect on my imagination: I am most intrigued when I perceive some coincidentally familiar element within the foreign (a tuned percussion recital from Malawi that immediately brings to mind Steve Reichian minimalism, or the Burundian female vocal duet that sounds uncannily like a cut-up tape experiment, etc.). I suppose this album is an attempt to recreate the same kind of listening experience as what I've described, just with the electronic means that I have at hand."

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers – Angel Dream: Songs and Music From The Motion Picture She's The One) CD/LP (WB)

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the release of She's The One, Warner Bros. presents a remixed, remastered and re-imagined version of the album. The original album included several songs that were left off the original Wildflowers album (recently included as the All The Rest disc in the Wildflowers & All The Rest reissue), so this re-release is an appropriate ending to the campaign celebrating the Wildflowers-era. Ryan Ulyate (Tom's longtime engineer and producer) has remixed the audio, and the song selection is designed to work as a Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers album, rather than a soundtrack album. Four unreleased tracks have been added: the rocker "105 Degrees" (written by Petty), a cover of JJ Cale's "Thirteen Days", "One Of Life's Little Mysteries" (another Petty original), and an instrumental ("French Disconnection") in the same vein as the instrumentals on the original album. An extended version of "Supernatural Radio" is also included. [Free Tom Petty postcard set with purchase! Available in the shop or on the webstore.]

Phish – Lawnboy [Reissue/1990] 2xLP (Jemp)

Double lawn color vinyl reissue of Phish's second studio album.

Plunky and Oneness Of Juju – Make A Change [Reissue/1977] 2xLP (Strut)

The definitive edition of a 1977 funk/soul classic, Make A Change, featuring the international hit “Every Way But Loose” and five previously unheard studio takes.

Queen – Greatest Hits [Reissue/1981] CD/Cassette (Hollywood)

Queen's Greatest Hits was originally released in 1981 and remains the best-selling album of all time in the UK with over six million copies sold. Featuring the original UK track listing with 17 hits including “Bohemian Rhapsody”, “Another One Bites The Dust”, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”, “Don't Stop Me Now”, “We Are The Champions”, and more.

Spiritualized – Pure Phase [Reissue/1995] 2xLP (Fat Possum)

Spiritualized’s second album, Pure Phase, showcases both a more symphonic sound as well as a dreamy rock grandeur. Think of Brian Wilson and La Monte Young recording together, and you'll have a good idea of the Spiritualized totality. Pure Phase is both beautiful and innovative; more than just psychedelic, it's celestial. Available on black or limited edition glow-in-the-dark vinyl.

Ike & Tina Turner – Bolic Sound Sessions 2xCD (Sunset Blvd.)

Following the success of Ike & Tina Turner, Turner had the finances to create his own recording studio which he called Bolic Sound. The name Bolic derived from the maiden name of his then wife Tina Turner (née Bullock). The studio was previously a furniture store which Turner bought as a shell and had it fully renovated. The facilities began being used for Turner productions in 1970 before opening for business in March 1972. Billboard magazine described Bolic Sound as “one of the most ornate recording plants in the world.” Bolic Sound eventually burnt to the ground under mysterious circumstances, but not before Ike produced a plethora of tracks for himself and Tina Turner.

Various Artists – Soul Jazz Presents: Fire Over Babylon: Dread, Peace And Conscious Sounds At Studio One CD (Soul Jazz)

A stellar selection of ‘70s roots music – classic and rare tracks recorded at Clement Dodd’s musical empire at 13 Brentford Road in the 1970s. Featured here are seminal artists such as Freddie McGregor, The Wailing Souls, The Gladiators, Horace Andy, Devon Russell, Cedric Brooks, Count Ossie, Judah Eskender Tafari alongside a host of lesser-known rare cuts made at Studio One from artists such as The Prospectors, Viceroys and Pablove Black. [Vinyl due 7/09.]

Various Artists - Wild Safari: Afro Tropical Disco Odyssey LP (Naughty Rhythm)

The Afro-tropical disco style is just one of the many sides of the disco phenomenon that raged throughout Europe in the magical '70s. Each track is a mix of Latin and African rhythms, wild congas, and jungle, savannah-like atmospheres, all filtered through the best Afro/funk/disco productions of the time. Approved by the Cosmic Discotheque team! Features Nat Roman E Quelli Del Piano Di Sopra, Resonance, Simbora Orchestra, The Mighty, Tropical Band, Antillas Mayores, Chaino And His African Percussion Safari, Safari & Co., Crispy & Co., Modern Sound Corporation, Sweet Bananas, and Ramses Ballet.

Hailey Whitters – Living The Dream LP (Big Loud)

A deluxe vinyl edition of the rising country star’s 2020 album, expanded with five new songs.