With this New Music Friday, we’re approaching the end of the spring release season with little in the way of superstar acts on the docket for the next month or so. That leaves the field wide open for a ton of other artists to be heard. Here are some suggestions for this weekend.
Singles
1. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Frogs (PIAS)
Nick being Nick, this is a song about murder, specifically the first murder in the Bible, which, of course, is Cain’s whacking of Abel. This opening line sets the tone: “Ushering in the week he knelt down and crushed his brother’s head in with a bone/It’s my great privilege to walk you home.” An eighteenth Bad Seeds album entitled Wild God will arrive on August 30.
2. Judgement, Currents (Independent)
Despite what my American-programmed spellcheck demands, this band from Oshawa band does spell their name “Judgement.” They’re a post-hardcore band that has performed with bands like Silverstein and Softcult. They call this one a “high-energy love song.”
3. The Covids, Banned from the USA (Wap Shoo Records/Lolipop Records)
I’m not gonna lie: The reason this song made this list is because of the name of the band and the story behind the song. The Dutch punk band tried to tour the US but was turned away because of a stupid visa mistake. So what did they do? Headed into the studio to record a song based on their encounter with a less-than-friendly Homeland Security crew.
4. Milky Chance, Naked and Alive (Frontside)
This seems to be a preview of the next Milky Chance album (nothing has been announced yet) but given its earwormy characteristics, it’s safe to say that the band is continuing on their genre-agnostic ways. They describe this song as “an ode to self-love and the celebration of spending time alone with oneself.” No, it’s not about that. Milky Chance is just encouraging all of us that “external validation is not necessary to feel alive.” They do, however, want us to take off our clothes before listening, though.
https://www.youtube.com/live/IJFiPorR11Q?si=-PKqtZTWPgId_E0J
Clemens Rehbein and Phillipp Dausch
5. Julian Taylor, Running Away (Howling Turtle)
These days, some of the best Americana is being made by a Canadian. July Taylor, the Toronto-based award-winning folk singer is almost ready with a new album entitled Pathways (due September 27). It’s being introduce with this single that definitely mines the work of Muddy Waters. That’s Colin Lindon on lead guitar, too.
6. Reverend Horton Heat, Ace of Spaces (Fun-Guy Records)
Yes, it’s the Motorhead song. Don’t question it. Just surrender.
7. Snow Patrol, The Beginning (Republic)
Snow Patrol has returned with this single, another achingly sad song; singer Gary Lightbody says that he hasn’t been in a relationship for ten years. A full album (their eighth) entitled The Forest is the Path due on September 13. And yes, it’s been a long time. It’s the first Snow Patrol album in six years.
Albums
1. Bat for Lashes, The Dream of Delphi (Mercury KX)
We haven’t heard from Natasha Khan and her Bat for Lashes project since 2019. Call it a concept album, too, because the whole thing is an account of Khan’s early days as a mother. But it’s not as straightforward as that. The tale is told partly through a character called the Motherwitch. Oh, and there’s a film entitled The Dream of Delphi coming, too.
2. Buffalo Tom, Jump Rope (Scrawny)
Buffalo Tom first appeared in Boston back in 1986 as contemporaries of groups like The Pixies and The Lemonheads and is now up to ten albums. This is first new record in six years.
3. Ringo Starr, Crooked Boy (UMe)
Here’s Ringo’s new four-track EP written and produced by Linda Perry and featuring Nick Valensi of The Strokes on guitar. Ringo seems to like the EP format because this is his fifth in a row.
4. Willie Nelson, The Border (Legacy Recordings)
I know this space doesn’t devote much time to country music, but Uncle Willie is 91 years old, still smoking dope, still drinking beer, and still making studio records. The Border is his 75th studio album. Respect.
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