Sorry for missing last week’s New Music Friday, but I was traveling for my speaking tour and I just didn’t have time to source everything. But don’t worry. I feel the appropriate level of shame. I’ll try to not let it happen again. But no promises, okay?
Singles
1. Arcade Fire, Pink Elephant (Sony)
After a lengthy hiatus brought by frontman Win Butler’s #MeToo problems, Arcade Fire is coming back on May 9 with their seventh album, Pink Elephant. The following night, they will be the special musical guest on Saturday Night Live, the sixth time they’ve done that. Is all forgiven? Can Win and the band put all that ugliness behind them? We’ll see…
2. Lorde, What Was That (Republic)
I’m a big behind posting about this single, but it’s necessary to catch up. The biggest thing to come out of New Zealand in forever is almost ready with Virgin, her fourth album and first full-length release in four years. The artwork issued around this announcement is interesting: It’s an X-ray of a female abdomen with an IUD clearly visible.
Albums
1. Andy Bell, Ten Crowns (Crown Recordings)
The voice behind Erasure hasn’t released a solo album in fifteen years, so Andy Bell fans are relived that this third solo record is finally here. And yes, it’s full of the familiar synth-pop songs for which Erasure is famous. Deborah Harry of Blondie makes a guest appearance on this single.
2. Car Seat Headrest, The Scholars (Matador)
Not the greatest band name ever, but the Seattle band (est. in Leesburg, Viringia in 2010) has fans on both sides of the Atlantic. This record, their fifth, is their first album in five years, a delay caused by frontman Will Toledo’s battle with long COVID and a serious histamine intolerance. The record is being marketed as both a concept album and a rock opera which takes place at a fictional college and a protagonist named Rosa. Inspiration was drawn from Shakespeare, Mozart, The Who, and Bowie.
3. Propagandhi, At Peace (Epitaph)
Even the political and social client, we need Propagandhi more than ever right now. The greatest punk band to ever come out of Winnipeg (and one of Canada’s all-time greats) is back with a new album of politically-charged awesomeness.
4. Puddle of Mudd, Kiss the Machine (Pavement Music)
Given frontman Wes Scanlin’s antics (crazy public behavior, drunk incident including on planes, domestic violence, foreclosure on his home, drugs, multiple arrests), I can’t believe that this band has stuck together since 1992. They’ve made it seven albums. A miracle.
5. PUP, Who Will Look After the Dogs? (Little Dipper/Rise)
If you’re looking to be slapped about the head with some high-energy punky rock, PUP is always a good place to start. This is their fifth album and focuses on frontman Stefan Babcock’s view of love, life, and relationships–with the usual does of self-deprecation, of course. Call it PUP’s “emotional growth” album. There will be a “Toronto takeover” in July as part of this year’s tour.
6. Esther Rose, Want (New West)
As studio albums go, this is about as live as you can get. Rose (who is from Santa Fe), her band, and producer Ross Farbe recorded this album live-to-tape at a studio in Nashville called The Bomb Shelter. Apparently much of the songs came from a line she was singing to herself while driving around the city: “I want a puppy, but I don’t want a mess. I want to know where I’m going without GPS.” Elon Musk will probably love this song.
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