There are a couple of superstar releases this New Music Friday: Eminem’s The Death of Slim Shady album (it’ll probably be a hit), new One Republic (they have a lot of fans), and the first single from Katy Perry’s new album (she’s trying to avoid three duds in a row). I’ll let others deal with those. Let’s instead dig a little deeper.
Singles
Art d’Ecco, I Feel Alive (Paper Bag)
The Vancouver-based artist/producer first appeared with much aplomb a few years ago, offering up some impressive material that combined synths, glam rock, and indie. This has found him fans with Franz Ferdinand, The Dandy Warhols, Hot Chip, and others. Here’s the advance single from a record that (I think) will be out later this year,
2. Seether, Judas Mind (Fantasy/Concord)
It’s been four years since these South Africans released an album, so they’re due. The Surface Seems So Far (September 20) is being introduced with this single which looks at toxic people and what to do about them. I still think that Seether is the closest in sound to Nirvana than just about anyone else.
Albums
1. Cigarettes After Sex, X’s (Partisan)
Terrible name, excellent band–and from El Paso, of all places–not exactly a hotbed of dream pop. The group’s third album (and first in five years) delivers more of the kind of gentle stuff that might go nicely with a summer evening. This is the latest (3 0f 3) of singles from the album.’
2. Ani DiFranco, Unprecedented Sh!t (Righteous Babe)
Ani has been a highly successful DIY indie artist for decades, turning herself into an icon in the process. This is here 21st studio album. You don’t mess with Ani.
3. Down By Law, Crazy Days (Kung Fu Records)
The legendary punk (est. LA 1989) is up to its 11th studio album. There’s been plenty of churn with the lineup but Doug Smalley is still out front. They may be older but they haven’t lost any of their edge.
4. HARDY, Quit! (Big Loud Rock)
I spoke with Michael Hardy earlier this year at Canadian Music Week event where I described the once full-time country star’s rock debut as “threading the needle between Eminem and Limp Bizkit.” He laughed and agreed completely. There’s a little Kid Rock and Nickelback here, too. Speaking of Limp Bizkit Fred Durst makes a guest appearance as does Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
5. Travis, LA Times (BMG Rights Management)’
Travis has been one of my favourite Scottish bands since I was introduced to them in the late 90s in the post-Britpop era. Their tenth album and first since 2020 was recorded in a studio a few blocks from Los Angeles’s infamous Skid Row area of downtown. What does working in that environment do to the sound of a whimsical Glasgow band? Let’s find out.
6. Thom Yorke, Confidenza (Music From the Film By Daniele Luchetti) (XL Recordings)
Not a Radiohead album nor something from The Smile or even a proper solo record. Thom, like bandmate Johnny Greenwood, also likes composing for film. In this case, it’s an Italian production (here’s the trailer) that could make you cry. This single first appeared back in April but now the entire soundtrack is available.
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