New music - w20
This week’s musical marvels: from cosmic jazz to dark Carnivals
Hey there, fellow sonic wanderers! As your trusted guide through the musical wilderness, I've been diving deep into some extraordinary new releases that have been gracing my turntable lately. From cosmic jazz journeys to haunting hip-hop narratives, we've got quite the eclectic feast for your ears today. Let's explore these sonic territories together, shall we?
Men I Trust - "Equus Caballus": Dream Pop's Second Wind
LABEL: Self released GENRE: Pop - Rock
Just months after their previous release, Men I Trust returns with "Equus Caballus," a dreamy collection that feels like floating through a vintage photograph. Their signature blend of indie pop and vintage synth warmth remains intact, but there's a newfound confidence in their sonic exploration.
Purchase: Bandcamp
Men I Trust admirers should explore: Weyes Blood's "And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow," Beach House's "Once Twice Melody," and Melody's Echo Chamber's "Emotional Eternal."
Jimi Tenor - "July Blue Skies": Cosmic Jazz for Earthly Souls
LABEL: Jazz Aggression GENRE: Funk - Jazz
Finnish maverick Jimi Tenor returns with "July Blue Skies," a sublime marriage of spiritual jazz and cosmic funk that feels like stumbling upon an interstellar jazz club. This album is summer distilled into sound waves, warm and enveloping like those perfect July evenings.
Purchase: Jazz Aggression Records
If Jimi Tenor caught your ear, try: The Heliocentrics' "Infinity of Now," Muriel Grossmann's "Golden Rule," and Natural Information Society's "descension (Out of Our Constrictions)."
billy woods - "GOLLIWOG": A Dark Carnival of Modern Poetry
LABEL: Blackwoodz Studioz GENRE: Hip-Hop
If albums were houses, billy woods' "GOLLIWOG" would be that mysterious Victorian mansion at the end of the street - beautiful, haunting, and filled with stories that demand to be heard. This collection of horror, humor, and sharp social commentary is like nothing else in the current hip-hop landscape.
The production roster reads like a who's who of underground royalty: The Alchemist, Kenny Segal, EL-P, and more, each adding their distinct flavors to woods' sonic gumbo. The result is a cinematic experience that pulls you deeper with each listen, like a literary thriller you can't put down.
Purchase: Backwoodz Studioz
For fans of billy woods, check out: Armand Hammer's "WHT LBL," ELUCID's "I Told Bessie," and Pink Siifu & Real Bad Man's "Real Bad Flights."
Emma-Jean Thackray - "Weirdo": A Symphony of Resilience
LABEL: Brownswood Recordings GENRE: Jazz
In the vast landscape of contemporary jazz, few artists dare to venture as far into uncharted territory as Emma-Jean Thackray. Her latest opus, "Weirdo," is nothing short of a revelation - a deeply personal journey that transcends genre boundaries with the grace of a seasoned tightrope walker.
Born from profound personal loss and a meditation on neurodivergence, this album feels like a warm embrace in a cold world. Thackray weaves together elements of jazz, funk, and even grunge with the precision of a master craftswoman, creating something that's both deeply introspective and universally resonant.
The collaborations with Reggie Watts and Kassa Overall on tracks like "Black Hole" and "It's Okay" add fascinating new dimensions to Thackray's sonic palette, but make no mistake - this is Emma-Jean's show through and through.
Purchase: Bandcamp
If you enjoyed Emma-Jean Thackray, explore: Nala Sinephro's "Space 1.8," Shabaka Hutchings' "Afrikan Culture," and Matthew Halsall's "Salute to the Sun."
DJ Ramblin' Man
Check out the FAB 50 playlist on Spotify for all of my recent discoveries!
