Happy Monday, loopers! Here are this week’s most exciting new releases (subscribe to our weekly New Music newsletter here)…
1. ALVVAYS — DREAMS TONITE
Toronto indie-pop band Alvvays are back with another highly-infectious and utterly delightful summer jam from their much-anticipated second album, Antisocialites, which is out September 8th and follows up 2014’s Alvvays.
Dreams Tonite will be joined on the new album by the excellent lead single, In Undertow.
Here’s what frontwoman Molly Rankin had to say about seeking inspiration for Antisocialites on the shoreline of Toronto Island and an abandoned schoolroom nearby:
“I carried a small PA on the ferry in a wheelbarrow. Every morning I would listen to my favourite records on the beach, then I’d write melodies and record demos in the classroom. This record is a fantasy breakup arc and my life nearly imitated art.”
If you’re new to the band and want to hear more, we highly recommend listening to Adult Diversion, Next Of Kin and Archie, Marry Me from their stunning debut album.
2. CHARLI XCX — BOYS
British singer-songwriter Charli XCX is back with a new single called Boys, her first release since March’s Number 1 Angel mixtape (be sure to check out the MØ collaboration 3AM if you missed it).
The new single is accompanied by a video directed by Charli and featuring, you guessed it, a bunch of boys. But not just any boys… there’s Vampire Weekend’s Ezra and Rostam, Mac DeMarco, Diplo, Wiz Khalifa, D.R.A.M., KAYTRANADA, Stormzy, Riz Ahmed from Swet Shop Boys, Jack Antonoff from fun. and Bleachers, Mark Ronson and loads more.
Sadly there is still no word on a follow up to 2014’s Sucker, but hopefully this new single means there’s an album on the way soon. If you can’t wait till then, why not revisit her After The Afterparty collaboration with Lil Yachty and her excellent Vroom Vroom EP from last year.
3. PURITY RING — ASIDO
To celebrate the 5th anniversary of their debut album, Shrines, Canadian electropop duo Purity Ring have shared a glorious new single called Asido.
Here’s what Megan James and Corin Roddick had to say about their new single on their YouTube page:
“In celebration of the 5 year anniversary of our debut album — shrines — we offer a thought and a thank you for our beloved fans — enjoy!!”
Sadly, there’s no mention of their much-anticipated 3rd album… but given it’s been a couple of years since they released Another Eternity and they’re clearly back in the studio, fingers crossed we’ll have some good news for you soon.
In the meantime, why not revisit some of the stunning earlier songs like Fineshrine, Lofticries, Begin Again, Bodyache, Push Pull, Obedear, Belispeak and Heartsigh.
4. IRON & WINE — THOMAS COUNTY LAW
If you’re a fan of big beards & bucolic ballads you’ll be excited to hear that Sam Beam, aka Iron & Wine, has shared another track from his upcoming 6th album, Beast Epic, which is out August 25th.
Thomas County Law will be joined on the new album by the excellent lead single, Call It Dreaming.
Since releasing his last solo album, 2013’s Ghost On Ghost, Sam has released Sing Into My Mouth (a covers album with Band of Horses’s Ben Bridwell) in 2015 and Love Letter For Fire with Jesca Hoop last year.
5. CHELSEA WOLFE — VEX
Fusing gothic rock with folk, electronic & metal music, it’s safe to say there aren’t many artists out there like California’s Chelsea Wolfe.
Vex is the breathtaking 2nd single from Chelsea’s upcoming 5th album, Hiss Spun, which is out September 22nd and follows up 2015’s Abyss. It will be joined on the new album by the recently released lead single, 16 Psyche.
Here’s what Chelsea had to say about her new album:
“I’m at odds with myself. I got tired of trying to disappear. The record became very personal in that way. I wanted to open up more, but also create my own reality.”
If you’re new to Chelsea and want to hear more, we highly recommend listening to Feral Love, Carrion Flowers, Hypnos and Iron Moon.
6. MICK JAGGER — GOTTA GET A GRIP
Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger is back with his first new solo material since his 2001 album, Goddess In The Doorway.
Gotta Get A Grip is one of 2 new singles released by Jagger this week and is accompanied by a video starring Jemima Kirke (who is best known for her role as Jessa in HBO’s Girls) and a bunch of remixes, including this one from Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker.
The other single released by Jagger is called England Lost; it also comes with a fancy video (starring Beauty and the Beast actor Luke Evans) and a remix featuring 2016 Mercury Prize winner Skepta.
This is Jagger’s first new material since the release of The Rolling Stones’ 25th studio album, Blue & Lonesome, in December last year.
7. BELLE AND SEBASTIAN — WE WERE BEAUTIFUL
Scottish indie-poppers Belle and Sebastian are back with their first new single since 2015’s Girls In Peacetime Want To Dance.
We Were Beautiful is expected to feature on the band’s much-anticipated 10th album, which is due later this year and follows up their 2016 singles compilation, The Jeepster Singles Collection.
In addition to fronting Belle and Sebastian, Stuart Murdoch also wrote and directed the 2014 musical feature film God Help The Girl, starring Emily Browning and Olly Alexander from Years & Years. Check out the film’s trailer here and listen to the stunning lead single to the soundtrack here.
8. THE AFGHAN WHIGS — YOU WANT LOVE (FEAT. JAMES HALL)
Following the recent death of guitarist Dave Rosser, The Afghan Whigs have shared a cover of Pleasure Club’s 2004 hit You Want Love in his honour.
Here’s what frontman Greg Dulli had to say about the song:
“Pleasure Club was a legendary New Orleans band and Dave Rosser and I had spoken for years about performing this song. In light of his passing we decided to record it in his honor.”
You Want Love is the band’s first release since the passing of Rosser last month and follows up their excellent In Spades album from earlier this year.
9. NICK MULVEY — MOUNTAIN TO MOVE
Mountain To Move is the 3rd single from Cambridge-born singer-songwriter Nick Mulvey’s much-anticipated 2nd album, Wake Up Now, which is out September 8th and follows up his 2014 Mercury Prize nominated debut album, First Mind.
Wake Up Now will also feature the recently released Myela and the excellent lead single, Unconditional.
10. LAWRENCE ROTHMAN — WOLVES STILL CRY
Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter and producer Lawrence Rothman has announced details to his much-anticipated debut album, The Book Of Law, and shared a glorious single from it called Wolves Still Cry.
The Book Of Law will be out October 13th & features a seriously impressive list of guest appearances, including Angel Olsen, Duff McKagan from Guns N’ Roses, Marissa Nadler, Stella Mozgawa from Warpaint, Kristin Kontrol and, on this new track, How To Dress Well.
The album won’t however feature any of the other singles he’s released over the last few years, but if you want to check out some of those singles (and we highly recommend you do) here are a few of our faves: H, Oz vs. Eden, Fatal Attraction, Users, #1 All Time Low and Designer Babies (feat. Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon).
Wolves Still Cry will be joined on The Book Of Law by Lawrence’s stunning 2015 single California Paranoia.
ALSO WORTH CHECKING OUT THIS WEEK:
- Blue Hawaii — No One Like You
- Cara Delevingne — I Feel Everything
- Kesha — Learn To Let Go
- Macklemore — Marmalade (feat. Lil Yachty)
- Mick Jagger — England Lost and Skepta remix
- Open Mike Eagle — 95 Radios (feat. Has-Lo)
- Skrillex — Would You Ever (feat. Poo Bear)
- The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart — When I Dance With You
- Turnover — Sunshine Type
