After beginning the year with a look ahead the 2024’s anticipated releases, it’s time to dig into a batch of new albums that are (actually) out this week! Marika Hackman’s Big Sigh returns to the sparser style of British singer-songwriter’s earliest recordings, coupling intensely personal lyrics with dramatic acoustic guitar and piano. Justin Young wrote the songs for The Vaccines’ sixth album, Pick-Up Full of Pink Carnations, while living in Los Angeles; the London rockers were inspired by Don McLean’s 1971 opus “American Pie.” Serving as the band’s swan song (for now), Philly funk-pop crew Chestnut Grove go out with a lively bang on Can’t Stand the Music.
Former Coral guitarist Bill Ryder-Jones’s Iechyd Da (Welsh for “good health”) is a sharp blend of progressive folk and ‘60s pop homages. Australian guitar combo Vacations bring a dose of sunshine on their third LP, Wish You Were Here. Following their 2023 debut Mind Palace Music, Philly/Baltimore duo @ turn in another batch of kaleidoscopic avant-pop on their EP, Are You There God? It’s Me, @.
PRESS PLAY on these new releases below. Listen for spotlights on new records like these (and more) every Friday on the XPN Morning Show and Indie Rock Hit Parade.