We all have scores to settle. Don’t get me started on mine. But do get me started on this score of great new albums heading your way over the next seven days — including keepers from Craig Finn, Mekons, Sleigh Bells, Waterboys and plenty more. Why settle for anything less? Why ask why? Settle in and peruse the possibilities:
Babe Rainbow
Slipper Imp And Shakaerator
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “They say it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you’re at. But for Angus Dowling, Jack ‘Cool-Breeze’ Crowther and Dr Elliot ‘Love Wisdom’ O’Reilly, the character of their home, Australia’s idyllic Gold Coast, permeates every atom of the dreamlike, joyful, psychedelic music they create together as Babe Rainbow. “The old Aquarius hippie connection is everywhere around here,” singer Angus says. “We tap into it, and absorb it all.” And their new album, Slipper Imp And Shakaerator, is their most “homegrown” project yet — a suite of maverick, zephyr-light acid-pop following its own north star and chasing subtle, slippery, subterranean grooves to delirious destinations. The album is a celebration of all the colours of the Babe Rainbow. “I love the fact that, with all the touring and the changing tides, and hair, the creative relationship within the band still feels so strong. I feel so lucky to have this psychedelic family, which is really the essence of the band. We’re just a bunch of laid back surfers, cattlemen’s sons.” But as Slipper Imp And Shakearator proves, these babes have access to powerful, home-baked psychedelic magic, and they aren’t reluctant to share.”
Black Country, New Road
Forever Howlong
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Black Country, New Road’s Forever Howlong was produced by James Ford (Fontaines D.C., Arctic Monkeys) and sees them settled into a new shape in which vocal duties — and most of the songwriting — are split between Tyler Hyde, Georgia Ellery and May Kershaw. “It created a real through line for the album, having three girls singing,” says Ellery. “It’s definitely very different to Ants From Up There, because of the female perspective — and the music we’ve made also complements that.” Indeed, Forever Howlong is an ambitious, meticulously detailed record that includes everything from folk to prog via baroque pop and touches of alt-rock — with nods to everything from Joanna Newsom to Randy Newman via Fiona Apple and Janis Ian — yet all the while retaining that unmistakably unique sound that only this combination of musicians can come up with. Although hugely varied and expansive, the album also feels cohesive and focused, as it takes three distinct voices and styles and seamlessly intersperses them into a new collective sound.”
Dirty Projectors / David Longstreth / Stargaze
Song Of The Earth
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “David Longstreth’s Song Of The Earth is a song cycle for orchestra and voices. Performed by Longstreth with his band Dirty Projectors — Felicia Douglass, Maia Friedman, Olga Bell — and the Berlin-based chamber orchestra Stargaze, the album also features Phil Elverum (Mount Eerie), Steve Lacy, Patrick Shiroishi, Anastasia Coope, Tim Bernardes, Ayoni, Portraits of Tracy and the author David Wallace-Wells. Longstreth wrote the first draft of Song Of The Earth in six “manic” weeks for a commission arranged by Stargaze, feeling disoriented, but also galvanised, by the moment he was in: the pandemic chaos, the “radical psychedelia” of new fatherhood, the novelty of writing for large ensemble. He then spent three years revising, rewriting, rearranging, and recording in studios and homes in the Netherlands, Los Angeles, and New York City. Longstreth says that while Song Of The Earth “is not a ‘climate change opera,” he wanted to “find something beyond sadness: beauty spiked with damage. Acknowledgement flecked with hope, irony, humour, rage.”
Djo
The Crux
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Djo is the musical project of actor / producer / songwriter Joe Keery, known for his roles in Stranger Things and Fargo. The Crux is the followup to his 2022 album Decide, which featured the blockbuster hit End Of Beginning. The new album was co-produced by Keery and his longtime collaborator Adam Thein. It’s an album of impeccable craftsmanship. Unlike Keery’s previous albums — bedroom recordings centered around synths — The Crux spotlights lush guitars and instrumentation reminiscent of late ’60s and ’70s pop. It’s an album full of loss and yearning, but also one full of wit and gratitude. The album was written all over the world in a particularly fertile period for Keery — where he was grappling with the transience of his other job, being untethered and away from his friends and family. But to make the album he settled into the legendary Electric Lady Studios in his adopted home of New York City. The Crux not only showcases his ambitious scope, but also his skills as a deft multi-instrumentalist and songwriter — all songs were written by Keery or in collaboration with Thein.”
Craig Finn
Always Been
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Always Been is the sixth solo album from Craig Finn. The album was produced by Finn’s long time friend Adam Granduciel, the principal of The War On Drugs. Always Been is direct both in both music and title. As The Hold Steady frontman and chief songwriter says, “I’ve always been Craig Finn.” Recorded throughout 2024 at One Cue Studio in Burbank, Always Been features a host of musicians, including many of Granduciel’s bandmates in The War On Drugs. Kathleen Edwards and Sam Fender provide guest vocals. The musical result is distinctive, purposeful, and commanding. This is perhaps Finn’s most narrative record yet. It tells the story of a man who becomes a clergyman despite a lack of faith. The songs detail his rise, fall, and eventual redemption, while also shining a light to sharply reveal the other characters that populate the world he moves through.”
Florist
Jellywish
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Jellywish is the fifth record from N.Y. indie-folk quartet Florist. Jellywish sees a departure of Florist’s former foray into meandering soundscapes and improvisational tendencies of their previous self-titled album, instead embracing shorter stripped-back song structures and an emphasis on melody. The result is a succinct and focused 10-track album showcasing Florist’s dynamic growth and Emily Sprague’s gift of empathic songwriting. With Jellywish, Florist invite listeners to question everything — to imagine a world where magic, surrealism, and the supernatural are our companions in day-to-day life. Jellywish dare to present a realm of possibility and imagination in a time that feels evermore prescriptive, limiting, and awful. On the album, Florist explore life’s big questions without offering silver linings, morals, or definitive answers. Instead, the band ask perhaps the most difficult of questions: Is it possible to break free from our ingrained thought cycles and pedestrian way of life? That, Florist posit, may be the only way to be truly happy, fulfilled, and free.”
Håndgemeng
Satanic Panic Attack
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Five damned dudes, banished from the pits of hell, smelling of brimstone and cheap beer. Brought up on heavy metal and rock ’n’ roll brewed together with a bad attitude and devil worship, and from that cauldron, Håndgemeng emerge, guitars in hand. Get ready to experience the doom ’n’ roll extravaganza as they play to entertain the devil himself! Riff after riff after riff, Håndgemeng will take you from the depths of hell to the farthest reaches of space. Together we will escape prison planet Earth, if just for a little while. Their new album Satanic Panic Attack is even more ambitious than its predecessor Ultraritual. “No longer constrained by genre or expectations, it presents a more self-defined sound and narrative, as we’ve returned to our earliest influences for inspiration,” say the band. Satanic Panic Attack is a concept album that explores the fear and mass hysteria of the 1980s, often referred to as The Satanic Panic — a phenomenon marked by the fear of heavy metal music, devil worship, and accusations of subliminal messages that were perceived as a threat to society. This album is a powerful tribute to the darkness and hysteria of a time when the fear of heavy metal peaked.”
Elton John & Brandi Carlile
Who Believes In Angels?
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The concept for Who Believes In Angels? was devised by close friends and regular collaborators Elton John, 11-time Grammy-winning superstar Brandi Carlile and multiple Grammy-winning producer and songwriter Andrew Watt. They set out to create a genuinely collaborative studio album between Elton and Brandi. The album would mix Elton-led songs and Brandi-led songs, with long-term collaborator Bernie Taupin and Brandi both contributing lyrics, and producer and co-writer Watt acting as the producer, mediator and creative conduit. Entering Los Angeles’ Sunset Sound Studios in October 2023 with a completely blank slate, they pushed each other out of their comfort zones to write and record an album completely from scratch in just 20 days. They would be backed by a world-class band of musicians including Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Pino Palladino (Nine Inch Nails, Gary Numan and David Gilmour) and Josh Klinghoffer (Pearl Jam, Beck). Elton says: “This record was one of the toughest I’ve ever made, but it was also one of the greatest musical experiences of my life. It has given me a place where I know I can move forward. Who Believes In Angels? feels like going into another era and I’m pushing the door open to come into the future. I have everything I’ve done behind me and it’s been brilliant, amazing. But this is the new start for me. As far as I’m concerned, this is the start of my career Mark 2.”
The Kilograms
Beliefs & Thieves
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Beliefs & Thieves, the debut album from The Kilograms, is a bold statement from a band already destined for legendary status. This LP brings together a powerhouse lineup of seasoned musicians from the punk, ska, and reggae scenes. Featuring members of iconic acts like The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and The Bouncing Souls, the band’s pedigree alone makes this record an essential listen. Recorded by Pete Steinkopf of The Bouncing Souls and mixed by legendary engineer Paul Kolderie (Pixies, Radiohead and Morphine), the album delivers a polished yet dynamic listening experience that showcases the band’s exceptional musicianship and creative chemistry. The Kilograms create a fresh and compelling fusion of styles that will captivate fans of multiple genres. With its genre-blending approach, this record appeals to fans of ska, reggae, punk, and alternative rock alike, making it a perfect addition to any collection.”
Kin’Gongolo Kiniata
Kiniata
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Kin’Gongolo Kiniata are a vital new voice of Congolese music, upending lyrical traditions and offering a potent and thrilling new take on Kinshasa rumba, with handcrafted percussion from found street objects providing the band’s rhythmical power Their debut album Kiniata is a call for peace, social justice and dignity for the Congolese people. Belying their country’s mainstream musical and lyrical traditions, the band don’t hesitate in telling it like it is, eschewing songs about love and torment. Instead they sing about the decades-long civil war, the scourge of homelessness in corruptly managed cities, and crucially, social justice and the desire for change. The name Kin’Gongolo Kiniata, which means “the crushing sound,” refers to the noise that was heard when oil sellers would walk the streets during power cuts in Kinshasa in the 2000s. The sellers would carry the clanging metal containers that would provide an alternative source of light, thus relief, and now that sound provides the perfect metaphor for the group’s own sound, that is created with instruments handmade from recycled materials, plates, scrap metal, plastic bottles and more.”
