Spring forward into the first new albums of the month…

HELP(2) is the latest in a long series of benefit albums by the War Child organization; producer James Ford invited international superstars like Arctic Monkeys, Olivia Rodrigo, and Depeche Mode to record exclusive material at Abbey Road Studios. Reviving material written in their teenage years, Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook celebrate the earliest fruits of their musical partnership on Squeeze’s Trixies. Partially recorded at Berlin’s famed Hansa Studios, ‘70s home to David Bowie and Iggy Pop, Harry Styles laces up his nightclubbing duds on Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally. Will Oldham’s latest album as Bonnie “Prince” Billy, We are Together Again, showcases the prolific Kentucky songwriter’s uncommon way with words and sonic textures.

On Picking Stones, their first new album in a decade, Philadelphia favorite Abi Reimold explores their country leanings with a set of lyrics-forward balladry. Shabaka drew inspiration from D’Angelo’s landmark Brown Sugar for Of the Earth; while lively rhythms occasionally arise, the overall influence is reflected in the creative freedom that comes from self-production. Multi-disciplinary Inuk artist Tanya Tagaq returns to music with Saputjiji; reimagining lyrics from her 2018 book Split Tooth (as well as serving as companion to a new stage production), her sixth album is brutal in its beauty and beautiful in its brutality. Arkansas soul-pop singer Yebba got an early co-sign from producer Mark Ronson; her second solo LP, Jean, is a heartfelt tribute to her late grandmother.

Listen for spotlights on new records like these (and more) every week on the XPN Morning Show and Indie Rock Hit Parade.

PRESS PLAY on these new releases

Various Artists –
War Child Presents: HELP(2)

CHECK OUT: Arctic Monkeys – “Opening Night”
The Last Dinner Party – “Let’s Do it Again!”

Squeeze – Trixies

CHECK OUT: “You Get the Feeling”
“Why Don’t You”

Harry Styles –
Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally

CHECK OUT: “Aperture” “American Girls”

Bonnie “Prince” Billy –
We are Together Again

CHECK OUT: “They Keep Trying to Find You”
“Hey Little”

Abi Reimold –
Picking Stones

CHECK OUT: “Drinking Song”
“Phasing”

Shabaka –
Of the Earth

CHECK OUT: “A Future Untold”
“Dance in Praise”

Tanya Tagaq – Saputjiji

CHECK OUT: “Foxtrot” “Fuck War”

Yebba – Jean

CHECK OUT: “Waterfall” “Yellow Eyes”

The PRESS PLAY-list

FURTHER LISTENING

Ages and Ages – Fine Thanks and You, Amalie Dahl’s Dafnie EXTENDED – Live at Moldejazz, Aukai – Chambers, Bitter Branches – Let’s Give the Land Back to the Animals, Bory – Never Turns to Night, Bosse-de-Nage – Hidden Fires Burn Hottest, The Brook & the Bluff – Werewolf, Carbon Decoy – Crush the Sun, Charlie Puth – Whatever’s Clever!, Cobrah – Torn, Doll Spirit Vessel – Bow, Endearments – An Always Open Door, Flying Lotus – Big Mama EP, Gregory Uhlmann – Extra Stars, GUM – Blue Gum Way, Hater – Mosquito, Hunter Hayes – Evergreen, Jesper Lindell – 3614 Jackson Highway, Joshua Idehen – I Know You’re Hurting, Everyone is Hurting, Everyone is Trying, You Have Got to Try, Koko Love – The Cost of Freedom, Los Frankies – D.E.D. City, Melodi Ghazal – Idol Melodies, Morrissey – Make-Up is a Lie, Mute Swan – Skin Slip, Natalie Jane Hill – Hopeful Woman, Neighborly – Kerplunk, Odd Marshall – Seconds, Ohyung – Iowa, Rosenau & Sanborn – Two, Scout Gillett – Tough Touch, Slag – Losing EP, Snowcuffs – Sweet Gravity EP, Sons of Town Hall – Of Ghosts and Gods, Status/Non-Status – Big Changes, Surfbort – Reality Star, Teerath Majumder – Dust to Dust, Travis Bolt – Burning Bridges, VIAL – Hellhound, Waterbaby – Memory Be a Blade, Western Grip – Follow Your Nightmares, Various Artists – Scribble Benefit Compilation

Still not enough new music?? For previous editions of PRESS PLAY, click HERE.

Balún: “La Nueva Ciudad”