The unofficial start of summer officially begins with this week’s officially (un)official new releases. A fiery double LP, Blue Electric Light is the generous 12th album (and first in six years) from Lenny Kravitz. Though not a complete return to his Bowl of Fire era, Andrew Bird’s Sunday Morning Put-On finds the versatile multi-instrumentalist in a charming trio mode with bassist Alan Hampton and drummer Ted Poor. Following a 2023 solo album from bandleader Shana Cleveland, La Luz arrives at a crossroads on News of the Universe; it’s their first with drummer Audrey Johnson and their last with keyboardist Alice Sandahl and bassist Lena Simon.
Named in honor of his imminent birthday, Paul Weller’s 66 is the soulful 17th solo album from the venerable “modfather.” Frog in Boiling Water, the shivering fourth album by New York rockers DIIV, rewards focused listening as its tracks unfold. Chicago art-pop duo Finom team up with producer/avowed fan Jeff Tweedy for Not God, their first full-length under their revamped moniker. Call a Doctor, the theatrical debut by Australia’s Girl and Girl, is a modern twist on classic down-under guitar-led indie rock.
Listen for spotlights on new records like these (and more) every week on the XPN Morning Show and Indie Rock Hit Parade.
Lenny Kravitz – Blue Electric Light
CHECK OUT: “Human” “Paralyzed”
Andrew Bird Trio – Sunday Morning Put-On
CHECK OUT: “I Fall in Love Too Easily” “I Cover the Waterfront”
La Luz – News of the Universe
CHECK OUT: “Strange World” “I’ll Go with You”
Paul Weller – 66
CHECK OUT: “Soul Wandering” “Rise Up Singing”
DIIV – Frog in Boiling Water
CHECK OUT: “Brown Paper Bag” “Soul-net”
Finom – Not God
CHECK OUT: “Haircut” “Cyclops”
Girl and Girl – Call a Doctor
CHECK OUT: “Hello” “Mother”
Allegra Levy – Out of the Question, Bill Mackay – Locust Land, Brian Eno, Holger Czukay, and J. Peter Schwalm – Sushi! Roti! Reibekuchen!, Carlos Niño & Friends – Placenta, The Chameleons – Where Are You? EP, Faux Real – Faux Ever, Field Guide – Rootin’ for Ya, John Butler – Running River, KÁRYYN – Calm KAOSS! EP, Kim Richey – Every New Beginning, Kinky – 5 Disparos EP, Kyle Andrews – The Whims of a Manic Moon, Lionlimb – Limbo, Low Hum – Terra Incognita, Motorists – Touched by the Stuff, myu zyu – Nothing or Something to Die For, Pardoner – Paranoid in Hell EP, Say Anything – …Is Committed, Tim Easton – Find Your Way, Tiny Habits – All for Something, Twenty One Pilots – Clancy, Winter – …and she’s still listening EP, Yes – Talk (30th Anniversary Edition), Yola – My Way EP, Young Jesus – The Fool, Various Artists – Your Voice is Not Enough
