Another midsummer week comes to a close with a fresh batch of albums to delight. John Darnielle’s long-running band the Mountain Goats evoke the do-or-die stakes of ‘80s action movies on the taut and fist-pumping Bleed Out. Blues icon Shemekiah Copeland examines motherhood, culture, and conflict, on the ruminative Done Come Too Far. Celebrated California songwriter Cass McCombs’ 10th album, Heartmind, enlists guests like Wynonna Judd and Danielle Haim to bolster the sturdy material. Having already contributed production to the latest album by Ibibio Sound Machine, London’s Hot Chip reconvene for their own euphoric eighth album, Freakout/Release.
Folk legend Loudon Wainwright III’s Lifetime Achievement is a victory lap laced with wit and introspection. Best known for her collaboration with Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová’s LILA is the Oscar-winning songwriter’s first solo album in nearly a decade. 90 in November is a welcoming debut from Austin’s Why Bonnie, showcasing bandleader Blair Howerton’s intricate songwriting. Unravelled: 1981–2002 surveys the catalog of artsy New Zealand duo Tall Dwarfs, who set the stage for a generation of lo-fi indie rockers. PRESS PLAY on these new releases (and more) below…
The Mountain Goats – Bleed Out
CHECK OUT: “Training Montage” “Wage Wars Get Rich Die Handsome”
Shemekia Copeland – Done Come Too Far
CHECK OUT: “Too Far to Be Gone” “Gullah Geechee”
Cass McCombs – Heartmind
CHECK OUT: “Unproud Warrior” “Karaoke”
Hot Chip – Freakout/Release
CHECK OUT: “Down” “Eleanor”
Loudon Wainwright III – Lifetime Achievement
CHECK OUT: “Lifetime Achievement” “Little Piece of Me”
Markéta Irglová – LILA
CHECK OUT: “My Roots Go Deep” “The Season”
Why Bonnie – 90 in November
CHECK OUT: “Sailor Mouth” “Nowehere, LA”
Tall Dwarfs – Unravelled: 1981–2002
CHECK OUT: “Crush” “Nothing’s Going to Happen”