New Music Show Preview w/ Don Bryant, Alex Ebert & more!

Not to quote Dawes, but we’ve got “a little bit of everything” on our New Music Show tonight.  Join us at 8pm tonight as we make sense of what has been a busy few weeks of new releases.  Among the highlights, Philadelphia DIY rockers Sheer Mag offer a preview of their upcoming album.  The National announced Sleep Well Beast, coming in September, and we’ve got an early tune to share.  Plus, more new songs from the upcoming Fleet Foxes album, Big Thief and the new project featuring The Decemberists and Olivia Chaney called Offa Rex (playing #XPNFest this July!).  All the above and few more for you to listen to tonight, including …

DON BRYANT “A Nickel & A Nail”

Don’t Give Up On Love is the new album from singer (and songwriter) Don Bryant.  It’s one of the first true pleasant surprises of 2017.  The reason for surprise is that this is a comeback album for the 74-year old soul singer.  Don was a songwriter for Hi Records, working with greats like Al Green and Ann Peebles (his wife).   In 1973 he penned Ann’s classic “I Can’t Stand The Rain” and has dedicated his new album to her.  It’s an understatement to say Don sounds inspired.  Vocally, it’s an astounding performance and one of the standouts comes in the opening track “A Nickel & A Nail” (O.V. Wright).  We’ll play the studio version tonight, but until then check out this great live version.

ALEX EBERT “Broken Record”

In what may stand alone as just a single, we have new music to share from Alex Ebert.  The spacious and groovy “Broken Record” is the first solo project from Alex since 2011 when he released Alexander.  The brainchild and frontman for Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes seems to be lamenting love on this new tune and musically soul searching a bit.  If the song is indeed sorrowful in nature, you almost feel guilty listening because the vibe is so relaxed and beautiful.  Have a listen and take a look at a pretty trippy video.

FIRST IMPRESSION: JADE JACKSON

Later this week, Jade Jackson will release her new album Gilded.   From a small town in California, Jade has some obvious country appeal but with plenty of musical depth.  She’s likely to draw comparison to folks like Lucinda Williams, Kathleen Edwards, Lydia Loveless, among others.  And just like some of those women Jade matches a sweetness as a singer with a rebelliousness as a songwriter.  To help further that edge Mike Ness of Social Distortion lent a helping hand in recording and producing Gilded.  We’ll play a couple songs on our show tonight.  Have an early listen to Jade Jackson below:

If you miss anything on the show or want to keep up on new music, make sure to subscribe to our ‘XPN Best New Music’ Playlist on Spotify: