You might know Heather Trost as one half of A Hawk and a Hacksaw (with Neutral Milk Hotel’s Jeremy Barnes) and as a collaborator in various other projects, from Beirut to Swans. “Petrichor” is her third solo LP, and unlike her mostly acoustic endeavours as a violinist, it’s a psychedelic pop treasure that won’t take long to start looping in your head (and in your favourite music player).
Time for the yearly meeting of the Cate Le Bon Appreciation Society, on the occasion of the release date of the Welsh songwriter’s fifth album, “Reward”. The goddaughter of the 90s Welsh indie pop of Gruff Rhys et al has long outgrown her own scene, and her exquisite avant-pop reached a level of uniqueness that makes it impossible to lump her together with anyone at all. It’s yet another magnificent record from Le Bon and we’re thrilled to live in the same era as she’s making music.
In this week’s playlist: new tracks by Alex Lahey, Lydia Ainsworth, Carly Rae Jepsen, SAMIA, Stef Chura, Los Retros, Faye Webster, Okey Dokey, Night Beats, Amyl and The Sniffers, Institute, Black Mountain, Earth, Bill Callahan (smog), Mavis Staples, Dylan LeBlanc, Frankie Lee, Justin Townes Earle, TK & The Holy Know-Nothings, Jake Xerxes Fussell, Doug Tuttle, and Los Coast.
At first listen, Big Thief’s third LP looked like a tough nut to crack, way less immediate than “Capacity”. You won’t find “U.F.O.F.”’s beauty through background listening while you send passive-agressive emails, are stuck in traffic, or go through tons of lines of code. It needs your full attention to be properly rewarding. Try it later today. Plus: new songs by Anna Tivel, Aldous Harding, Aviva le Fey, Kassi Valazza, Frankie Lee, Nataly Dawn, Sam Outlaw, Calexico and Iron & Wine, The Felice Brothers, Fruit Bats, Super Doppler, Nev Cottee Band, black midi, Stef Chura, Titus Andronicus, Tropical Fuck Storm, Altın Gün, Kate Tempest, Cate Le Bon, Julia Shapiro (Chastity Belt), and Vampire Weekend.
Album releases are slowly decreasing as the year comes to a close, but it doesn’t mean there aren’t still plenty of singles being released. Treat yourself to 14 new songs (and some covers) from Basia Bulat (pictured), Benjamim, Dev Hynes & Connan Mockasin, Sea Of Bees, Adult Mom, Gianna Lauren, Natalie Prass,Frankie Lee, Jeff Buckley, JEFF The Brotherhood, Nap Eyes, Alela Diane & Ryan Francesconi, Corb Lund, and The Wainwright Sisters.