PRESS PLAY: 8 New Albums Out August 14th

It’s a busy week for our new release roundup here at XPN. We’re day-one fans of Canadian singer-songwriter Kathleen Edwards, and her first album in eight years, Total Freedom, is a triumph. (She joins World Cafe’s Raina Douris this afternoon at 3 p.m. ET for a Facebook Live album release party from Quitters Coffee, her Cafe in Stittsville, Ontario.) We also love the latest from Fantastic Negrito, Have You Lost Your Mind Yet?, which finds him teaming up with fellow Tiny Desk contest winner Tarronia “Tank” Ball as well as hip-hop hero E-40. The Philly music scene is representing, with Dr. Dog drummer Eric Slick releasing his latest solo record Wiseacre (listen for the charming collab with his wife Natalie Prass, “Closer to Heaven”) and singer-songwriter Lily McKown making an impressive debut with her reflective indie-roots road record Backseat Driver. Dreamy Chicago roots rockers Whitney released a collection of covers called Candid which finds them interpreting songs by The Roches, John Denver, and more. We’ve also got releases to share from veteran rocker Bruce Hornsby, Cincinnati singer-songwriter Arlo McKinney, and British newcomer Holly Humberstone. #PressPlay and enjoy!

Kathleen Edwards — Total Freedom

We LOVE: “Options Open”; “Hard On Everyone,” “Simple Math”

Fantastic Negrito — Have You Lost Your Mind Yet?

We LOVE: “I’m So Happy I Cry (ft. Tarronia ‘Tank’ Ball),” “Justice In America”

Eric Slick— Wiseacre

We LOVE: “When It Comes Down To It,” “Closer to Heaven (ft. Natalie Prass)”

Whitney — Candid

We LOVE: “Hammond Song”; “Take Me Home, Country Roads (ft. Waxahatchee)”

Lily McKown — Backseat Driver

We LOVE: “Backseat Driver,” “Virginia Lovers”

Bruce Hornsby – Non-Secure Connection

We LOVE: “My Resolve (ft. James Mercer)”

Arlo McKinley – Die Midwestern

We LOVE: “Walking Shoes”

Holly Humberstone – Falling Asleep at the Wheel

We LOVE: “Overkill”