Other than a vague idea of how her debut album sounded like, we knew almost nothing about Jess Williamson the moment we walked into the dark backroom of a Nijmegen venue to listen to her songs. Or at least try to, as the audience seemed to be more interested in catching up with their buddies before Kevin Morby took the stage. That being said, our most vivid image of that night is staring at the stage as Williamson played the broodingly gorgeous “Heart Song” off her forthcoming album. We had to go up and tell her we could get her to play a few shows back in Portugal. That never happened, but 100% of her future albums ended up being featured here. Of course they were. “Sorcerer” is the latest instalment in a perfect streak of stellar records. It’s out now.
Plus: new tracks by Josiah Johnson, Tommy Alexander, Sumbuck, The Jayhawks, Rose City Band, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Chris Maier, Owen, Silverbacks, Crack Cloud, Hanni El Khatib, Khruangbin, SINEAD O’BRIEN, KATE NV, Jim White and Marisa Anderson music, neubauten.org, I Break Horses, Phoebe Bridgers, Nicole Atkins, Perfume Genius, LA PRIEST, Charli XCX, Happyness, and Lily Hayes.
Bolachas Now Playing, 20/2020 (#232): http://bit.ly/bolachasnowplaying
Jess Williamson – Smoke
Jess Williamson – As the Birds Are
Josiah Johnson – False Alarms
Tommy Alexander – Whatever You Say
Sumbuck – Weekend (feat. Savannah Conley)
The Jayhawks – This Forgotten Town
Rose City Band – Morning Light
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – It Gets Easier
Chris Maier – Portals
Owen – A New Muse
Silverbacks – Muted Gold
Crack Cloud – Ouster Stew
Hanni El Khatib – PEACE
Khruangbin – So We Won’t Forget
Sinead O Brien – Roman Ruins
Kate NV – Marafon 15
Jim White and Marisa Anderson – Pallet
Einstürzende Neubauten – Seven Screws
I Break Horses – Turn
Phoebe Bridgers – I See You
Nicole Atkins – Mind Eraser
Perfume Genius – Your Body Changes Everything
LA Priest – Beginning
Charli XCX – Claws
Happyness – Milk Float
Lily Hayes – Still Young