Canadian folk singer-songwriter Matthew Swann records under the name Astral Swans. He’s back with a new, self-titled record, which includes a few great duets with fellow songwriter Julie Doiron. (Also, we’ve been doing this for 300 weeks. We’re old.)
Mega Bog’s new record is our album of the week. If you know her work – we were all over her previous album, “Dolphine”, back in 2019 – you know exactly what to expect; if not, well, if you’re into exquisite songwriting (think Cate Le Bon or Helena Deland), this might just be your jam.
Sven Wunder’s third album in three years is out now on Mr Bongo. After exploring 70s Anatolian rock and Japanese min’yō in his last two fusion jazzy tomes, “Natura Morta” draws from still life paintings and its relationship with nature.
With “The Dream and the Dreamer”, Jeremy Ivey ceases being just Margo Price’s husband and sidekick, and establishes himself as a songwriter worth following. It’s hard to believe this is Ivey’s debut album, and we hope it’s not the last. Some of the best americana we’ve heard this year. Plus: new tracks by Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Tindersticks, The Orphan Brigade, Daniel Martin Moore, Christopher Paul Stelling, Alasdair Roberts, Richard Dawson, Matt Dorrien, Lola Kirke, Okey Dokey, Olivia Jean, Dry Cleaning, Pip Blom, Long Beard, (Sandy) Alex G, Angel Olsen, Jenny Hval, DJ Firmeza, Murs, JPEGMAFIA, Yves Tumor, Tørsö, and Swans.
We had to. In a week full of great releases, we had to feature Fruit Bats’ first collection of new songs in three years, “Gold Past Life”, released on the 21st. Eric D. Johnson cements its place as one of the songwriters of his generation with a better ratio of “great” to “barely decent” songs – almost half of the record’s songs have already been featured in this playlist, so you know it’s true.
Plus: new tracks by black midi, Pip Blom, Super Doppler, Night Moves, Alex Cameron, The Raconteurs, Lucy Dacus, Purling Hiss, Andrew Combs, Nev Cottee Band, Jesse Malin, Tyler Childers, Divino Niño, Steve Gunn, Willie Nelson, Horse Jumper of Love, I am Oak, Mega Bog, Wilder Maker, Native Harrow, and Daughter of Swords.