We’re almost done with 2020, but December still had a couple of tricks on its sleeve, including a surprise new Taylor Swift release. But our album of the week has to be the unexpected collaboration between Canadian duo Kacy & Clayton and NZ songwriter Marlon Williams – one that makes all the sense in the world. “Plastic Bouquet” essentially feels like another essential Kacy & Clayton record, but the Williams-enhanced harmonies take the songs to another level.
No matter your mood today, make sure you adopt a heartbreak album. Look no further. Courtney Marie Andrews can’t write a bad song. And the ones on her new collection of 10 not bad songs, “Old Flowers”, are so good that we just noticed we’ve featured one of them twice. Plus: new tracks by Fenne Lily, Native Harrow, Lori McKenna, H.C. McEntire, Skullcrusher, Taylor Swift, Lydia Loveless, Aubrie Sellers, Daniel Donato, The Nude Party, Hoops, Old 97’s, Dawes, Jarvis Cocker, Sylvan Esso, Walter Martin, Lala Lala, trayer tryon, Andy Shauf, Durand Jones & The Indications, Grace Sings Sludge, Ora Cogan, Isobel Campbell, Tom Brosseau, Colter Wall, Brent Cobb, and the Tweedy family.
Our album of the week was released in April. Confused? Well, thank Record Store Day for that. WARMER, Jeff Tweedy’s companion album to both last year’s excellent WARM and his autobiography, was previously only released through a very limited vinyl run, but is now available on all streaming platforms and as WARM/WARMER pack. Far from being a compilation of b-sides, some of the tracks on this collection of songs are as strong as the best songs off his proper solo debut.
And, because this week is the last before we go on our typical vacation around the Festival Vodafone Paredes de Coura – more about it next week – we have packed this playlist with two hours of new music. In addition to Wilco’s frontman “new” record, we feature recent tracks from Jeremy Ivey, Jordan Moser, Will Johnson, Steve Earle, My Morning Jacket, Black Country, New Road, Thee Oh Sees, Purling Hiss, Tropical Fuck Storm, Marika Hackman, Strange Ranger, Black Belt Eagle Scout, (Sandy) Alex G, The Dead South, Red River Dialect, Sam Outlaw, Taylor Swift, The Highwomen, Aubrie Sellers, Dori Freeman, Angie McMahon, Okey Dokey, Susto, Rayland Baxter, Skinshape, Loving, Rosemary Fairweather, Let’s Eat Grandma, and Florist.
Bolachas Now Playing, 41/2017 (#126):
Neil Young + Promise of the Real – Forever
Belle Adair – Neptune City
Craig Finn – Fault Lines
The Hold Steady – A Snake in the Shower
Drive-By Truckers – Perilous Night
Jonathan Wilson – Over the Midnight
Chris Stapleton – Nobody’s Lonely Tonight
Chris Stapleton – Friendship
Bahamas – Way With Words
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings – Sail On!
First Aid Kit – Postcard
Charlotte Gainsbourg – Ring-a-Ring O’ Roses
Alela Diane – Émigré
Taylor Swift – New Year’s Day
Bedouine – Louise
Nicholas Krgovich – On the Main Drag
Howe Gelb – Not the End of the World
We know, everybody’s talking about it, you must be tired of it already, but we couldn’t help it. We had to include three songs off Ryan Adams’ take on Taylor Swift’s 1989 on our weekly playlist. But, you know, there’s more to it, and a lot of brand new music to explore, from the calm beauty of the new Richard Hawley record to some real infectious tunes by Battles, John Grant, and The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn. Also, be sure to check out Penny Blacks’ new beautiful EP. Jason Ogden sure is one of the most interesting songwriters in Canada right now.