Anything goes in this week’s batch of new releases. Alabama Shakes guitarist Brittany Howard packs funk, blues, and the kitchen sink into her bold second solo album, What Now. Toronto duo Ducks Ltd. pair effervescent guitar pop with down-to-earth lyrics inspired by true-life struggles on Harm’s Way. Nashville’s Madi Diaz is in top melodic form on Weird Faith, which features a standout duet with Kacey Musgraves. Roberto Lange’s eighth album as Helado Negro, PHASOR, is a warm and atmospheric love letter to exploring the outside world.
Between churning beats and unnerving silences, Chelsea Wolfe allows beauty to bloom on She Reaches Out to She Reaches Out to She. London singer-songwriter Declan McKenna is bathed in sunshine and psychedelic energy on his third album, What Happened to the Beach?. Though it began as a vehicle for Vanessa Briscoe Hay to keep performing her legendary group’s material in concert, Pylon Reenactment Society has mutated into its own beast with fresh originals sitting alongside Pylon rarities on their full-length debut, Magnet Factory.
PRESS PLAY on these new releases below. Listen for spotlights on new records like these (and more) every week on the XPN Morning Show and Indie Rock Hit Parade.
Brittany Howard – What Now
CHECK OUT: “What Now” “Prove it to You”
Ducks Ltd. – Harm’s Way
CHECK OUT: “The Main Thing” “Hollowed Out”
Madi Diaz – Weird Faith
CHECK OUT: “Don’t Do Me Good (feat. Kacey Musgraves)” “Everything Almost”
Helado Negro – PHASOR
CHECK OUT: “LFO (Lupe Finds Oliveros)” “I Just Want to Wake Up with You”
Chelsea Wolfe – She Reaches Out to She Reaches Out to She
CHECK OUT: “Dusk” “Tunnel Lights”
Declan McKenna – What Happened to the Beach?
CHECK OUT: “Sympathy” “Nothing Works”
Pylon Reenactment Society – Magnet Factory
CHECK OUT: “Fix It (feat. Kate Pierson)” “3 x 3”
FURTHER LISTENING:
The American Analog Set – New Drifters, Astral Bakers – The Whole Story, Austin Peralta – Endless Planets (Deluxe Edition), British Sea Power – Do You Like Rock Music? (15th Anniversary Edition), David Nance & Mowed Sound – David Nance & Mowed Sound, The Dream Syndicate – Live Through the Past, Darkly, Itasca – Imitation of War, Kelela – RAVE:N, The Remixes, Les Claypool – Adverse Yaw: The Prawn Song Years, Loving – Any Light, MICHELLE – GLOW EP, Oddy Knocky – On a Spit, Pouty – Forgot About Me, Ron Gallo – FOREGROUND MUSIC (Deluxe Edition), Sonic Youth – Walls Have Ears (Reissue), The Strumbellas – Time Believer, Thomas Bangalter – Daaaaaalí, Tyler Ramsey – New Lost Ages, Various Artists – Hearts & Minds & Crooked Beats: Songs of The Clash
