Albums I’m Excited About, June 21st
Bird Songs of a Killjoy — Bedouine
If you had to shove Bedouine into a genre, I think you’d perhaps choose Chamber Folk or Atmospheric Pop — her airy voice and heavy use of orchestral backing to her delicate songs hint seems classifiable, until the needle reaches the runoff track and you realize you’ve never heard anything quite like it.
This Album feels like waking in a big soft bed to a ray of spring sunlight warming you up. It’s a sonic hug — an escape — and I can’t wait to buy it on vinyl and spin it on a warm day.
https://music.apple.com/us/album/bird-songs-of-a-killjoy/1467303618
https://open.spotify.com/album/7ijCn6Y1xj6rrLNV8NHUc0?si=ug13F4NdT36ULdnFVmfRkg
Keepsake — Hatchie
I’ve been waiting for Hatchie’s full-length for at least a year. I really loved her Sugar & Spice EP, which may have been a bit too derivative of The Cranberries to be considered an original work. I recently saw her play a sunset show in Barcelona and while I have to agree that her sound is definitely directly inspired by The Cocteau Twins and other female fronted pioneering Shoegaze, I do think she’s doing it for the right reasons and owning the genre.
It’s not new, but if you grew up loving Slowdive, Lush, or even Kate Bush (and — of course — The Cranberries), I think you’ll enjoy this super tight late 80s throwback. It’s a precise and complete Guitar Bath that is a joy to listen to if you’re willing to set aside any pretentiousness and have some fun.
https://music.apple.com/us/album/keepsake/1454678213
https://open.spotify.com/album/1ktX9tCDx4F3bC6TdOzAas?si=IPEi5liVQP2WAtqTVL3chQ
Patience — Mannequin Pussy
If Mannequin Pussy had a different name, they’d be the biggest punk band in Philly. But they couldn’t be themselves without their polarizing name, and I doubt they’d want an audience that couldn’t stomach the name anyway. This band makes the best kind of art — the kind that makes people wince, but the longer you stare at it the more beautiful it becomes.
In “Patience”, Mannequin Pussy captures the modern Philadelphia sound. It’s driving, blue-collar rock with a deep honest soul. It will remind you of Hop Along and Japanese Breakfast enough to make you curious, then take you down an unexpected emotional journey while shredding and shouting from the sidelines. This album loves you, then breaks up with you, then calls you drunk and you fuck. Also, it just sounds fucking great. Listen to those drums!
https://music.apple.com/us/album/patience/1457693951
https://open.spotify.com/album/1X0Na8DRV5U6G9grTPDWKF?si=GXUF9rzISPKamzH4gEC5eQ
