New Music Friday: Nu-Drone, Jangly Grit, Japanese Indie-Pop
Sept. 11 releases include Colin Stetson & Brìghde Chaimbeul, Carl Stone, The Tubs, Carmen Quill, Haku.
What cover songs are better than the originals? This is the question posed by two recent episodes of NPR's All Songs Considered, wherein I make the case for Low's stark version of The Smiths "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me" and Frodus' screamy take on Devo's "Explosions." You can find episode one and episode two on your favorite podcast app. Of course, by the end of it, Dora Levite and I reject the premise entirely; after all, how can Cassandra Wilson's haunted and weary interpretation of "Harvest Moon" compare to Neil Young's original? Love them differently, we say!
Stream the Viking's Choice Guide to New Music Friday mixtape (tracks 1-4 are from the albums reviewed, the rest are singles released within the last week). Follow me on Bandcamp and check out previous mixes via Buy Music Club.
Colin Stetson & Brìghde Chaimbeul, All the light in the world
Colin's saxophone athleticism meets Brìghde's smallpipes transcendentalism. Together they find space between the ancient and the modern to create a third way. Absolutely thrilling.
Carl Stone, Arthur Fischl Conducts the Music of Carl Stone
The sound collage trickster still has more audio tomfoolery up his sleeve. Chiptune jazz, hyperpopped country, hot jazz with a pair of Japanese crooners, sped-up John Tesh jams — all actually arranged, but stacked sideways. Ridiculously fun.
The Tubs, Hard Life
Hüsker Dü grit and R.E.M. jangle are the heart of these sweepingly romantic songs, but if I'm being real, these Welsh indie rockers are one dedicated tambourine player away from being the Gin Blossoms [complimentary].
Carmen Quill, I'll Be Thinking of You on a Thursday
Yes, that is THE Billy Hart — drummer for Herbie Hancock, Shirley Horn, Pharoah Sanders — on this unassuming, yet obtusely playful piano jazz trio recording. What a flex from bassist Carmen Quill, whose upcoming Harmless is anything but straight-ahead.
Haku., When the World Changes
Wheeee! Winsome, yearning and fun-filled indie-pop from this young, promising Japanese band. Lots of dexterous guitar work and tricky drumming, but always propelled by meticulously catchy melodies. (This one's on all the standard streaming services.)
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I loved that you included Haku.!
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