Friday the 13th; Some new bits that really clatter and some new bits that really purr. Nothing frightening.
I Killed Your Dog is the absolutely brilliantly-titled new LP from Brooklyn native Taja Cheek under her L'Rain nom de plume and it is really special stuff. Stylistically she has pulled a lot into the mix, all with a murky and hazy bend to it, as if it’s covered in fingerprints somehow. It's pretty surreal, you’ll catch the odd line and whilst it’s still ruminating, the pulsing bass turns into a wailing guitar, or a siren, or something backwards. It’s so sensory. Record of the Week and honestly, this one is so highly recommended.
+ Available on Oxblood colour vinyl.
Medicine is the new LP from Swedish experimentalists Goat, and you all need it in your life! It’s very them; swirling and mystic psychedelia, but possibly even darker than before. Lots of little weird gestures and whispers too, but they always retain that shamanic crunch. A great one to zone to.
+ Available on exclusive 'Bohemica' colour vinyl.
On The Inside is the highly anticipated full debut LP from Leeds-based trio Gotts Street Park. It’s such a groover; warm analogue hues of soul that just breeze. Lots of guest vocals (all really, really good) that keep it fresh and rolling along like Motown deep cuts. It has a really lush energy, this one.
+ Available as a limited Dinked Edition.
Los Angeles psych-rock band Hooveriii (it is pronounced "Hoover Three" in case you wondered) return via The Reverberation Appreciation Society with new LP Pointe, and it is a right stonker. There is more of a kraut motorik vein running through this one, but it still finds time and space to drift into pastoral lushness and plenty of wig-outs. Really good fun.
+ Our Dinked Edition sold out on announcement.
+ Available on limited Milky Clear colour vinyl.
Water Made Us is the hugely impressive new LP from Chicago musician Jamila Woods. She moves through genres and styles with real fluidity, her beautiful voice making it all sound so effortless. There isn’t one moment that doesn’t feel like it’s evolving into something new and different, it really is hugely engaging. One to really keep playing, there is so much going on and she really does sound sublime.
+ Available on limited Arctic Swirl colour vinyl.
The Darker The Shadow the Brighter The Light is the euphoric new LP from The Streets and it’s great to have him back. His distinctive delivery is really sharp, tense and twisted wordplay and some pretty big hooks. It’s a soundtrack to a film that he’s made (which in itself is hugely ambitious) and there are quite a few moments where the sense of tension is really palpable.
+ Available on Exclusive 'Coke Bottle' colour vinyl.
Also this week… Out And About is the dreamy new LP from Dutch four-piece Lewsberg; got such a joyous skip to it. Crazymad, For Me is the super-fun second LP from pop star CMAT. Belgian jazz singer Melanie De Biasio returns with the sublime Il Viaggio. We need to listen to this more as we’re pretty sure it’s quite brilliant. Lovage is the first album in years from Timber Timbre and it’s a bit of a woozy treat. Squirrel Flower releases Tomorrow’s Fire. We have Head of Pomegranate, the kaleidoscopic new LP from Flamingods. Got some grooves, we tell you! Jonny is the electro-poppin’ new LP from The Drums. Interiors is the fifth studio album by Brooklyn-based minimalist post-punk/synth-pop duo The Vacant Lots. ‘the rest’ is a new 4-track EP from super-trio boygenius. We don't have many of this one left.
We are due to have The Umlauts and Maple Glider landing with us shortly, both of which have Dinked Editions and both of which are really good. So more news on that shortly.
Lastly this week, Zuma 85 is the all new LP from LA rock band Allah-Las and they sound totally invigorated. They still have a lush, breezy quality to the songs, but the sonic references are weirder (Lou Reed pop, weirdo private press America) and it makes for such a great jumping-off point. Another LP with lots going on, but it’s their pop sensibilities that keeps it all moving forwards. Great stuff.
Lots of great reissues this week, with a whole batch on Verve By Request, The Chieftones via Numero, The Chills, some National Album Day stuff and the small matter of Slint, guys!!!
- Drift