The other day I revisited my NEW Music Preview posts and cursed myself for not keeping up with them. I think they’re a super efficient way for me to pass on new music – less than 3 minutes of audio introduces you to 4 new tracks from some VERY different artists. With a little nudge from my boss, I made one for you today…hopefully one of many more to come!
It’s been way too long since I’ve done one of these… here are a few things that have caught my ear recently: Death Cab for Cutie is coming out with Codes and Keys at the end of May and I think the single sounds quite solid. Alexander Ebert of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros has gone solo with a new album simply called, Alexander and the sound is surprisingly fresh. Three brothers from Texas – Los Lonely Boys – are out with a new album called Rockpango, and while we’ll have to wait until May 17th to hear the entire new album from Ben Harper, we’ve got a taste with the rocking single – “Rock ‘N Roll is Free.”
I’m very much looking forward to some music that’s coming out in early 2011. As always, Amos Lee sings with an abundance of SOUL on his new single, “Windows are Rolled Down”, and I can’t wait to hear more off his forthcoming album, Mission Bell. Adele is a few years older and she’s still as fierce as ever… the followup to her debut album, 19 comes out in February and it’s fittingly called 21. I might be most excited about the long-awaited studio album from Sam Beam and Iron & Wine titled Kiss Each Other Clean; what I’ve heard of it is amazing! And we’ll have to wait until April for the rest, but the always incredible Paul Simon has given us a taste of his forthcoming album with a single about Christmas that’s not really a Christmas song.
Wow, unfortunately it’s been almost 5 months since my last New Music Preview… I guess it really was a nutty summer! But fall is here and I’m getting pumped about all the great new tunes!
Just 6 months after the release of his second full-length album, Swedish singer/songwriter Kristian Mattson (aka The Tallest Man On Earth) is poised to release a stripped down EP that gives me chills. Elizabeth and the Catapult’s sophomore effort, The Other Side Of Zero just came out and they call it “more abrasive” than their playful debut, Taller Children. Sunshine and surf still come to mind when listening to Donavon Frankenreiter’s latest release, Glow, and you MUST hear the debut album from a band that’s simply exploding onto the music scene – West London’s Mumford & Sons.
Bettye Lavette has been making records since 1962 and in the past 5 years she’s finally been getting the attention she deserves. Her new album of cover songs is simply stunning. Arcade Fire will soon release the long-awaited follow-up to Neon Bible (2007) and it sounds quite promising. Chris Thile (Nickel Creek) is onto something special with his ‘beyond bluegrass’ band, the Punch Brothers. And it sounds like The Weepies will put out more contagious, thought-provoking pop/folk later this summer. Listen to clips of all four artists:
It seems The National will not disappoint with their follow-up to The Boxer while Troy Andrews (Trombone Shorty) is getting some seriously deserved attention with his new album Backatown. Xavier Rudd has had a musical and spiritual awakening with help from his new band (Izintaba), and Jesse Malin just rocks! Check out my 2 and 1/2 minute preview of these great new albums:
There’s been a surplus of great new music lately! I can’t wait to hear more from The New Pornographers…their forthcoming album, Together comes complete with guest appearances from St. Vincent and Beirut. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals will release a new record in June. These rising stars out of Vermont were recently named one of the best new bands of 2010 by Rolling Stone magazine. I’ve also been diggin’ the new album from the incredibly SOULFUL Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings. And just in time to be our summer soundtrack, Jack Johnson’s To The Sea, comes out in June. Listen to the 2-minute preview below for a taste of these four albums.
I tracked through a gigantic pile of new music this week, and now I bring you short clips of my four favorites. The Bird and the Bee brilliantly cover Hall & Oates while Scottish group, Frightened Rabbit does not disappoint with their third studio album. I continue to enjoy Jakob Dylan’s mellow solo material and Dr. Dog still delights me with their Beatle-esque sound.
I was feeling a little uninspired by some of the new music out this month. But with direction from co-workers and friends, I’ve discovered some gems. And now I share them with you! Here are clips from four artists who have sparked my interest with their new material:
There has been a lot of great new music pouring into the station, so I hope to put out a NEW Music Preview at least once a month to share some of my favorites. Click below to listen, it’s only about 2 and 1/2 minutes long.