New music - w28
Weekly Treasures: Four Records That Will Elevate Your Collection
As the dust settles on another week of crate-digging and needle-dropping, I find myself surrounded by four remarkable new releases that deserve your undivided attention. These records haven't merely passed through my turntable – they've taken up residence there, demanding repeated listens and revealing new layers with each revolution. From psychedelic Latin American balladry to ambient electronic cathedrals, this week's selection traverses musical territories that might seem disparate at first glance but share a common thread of artistic conviction.
Pour yourself something contemplative, settle into your favorite listening chair, and join me as we explore these sonic landscapes together.
Adrian Quesada - Boleros Psicodélicos II: A Psychedelic Latin Journey
LABEL: ATO Records GENRE: Latin
There's something undeniably enchanting about Adrian Quesada's second volume of "Boleros Psicodélicos." The Black Pumas guitarist has created a work that doesn't merely pay homage to the psychedelic Latin American ballads of the late '60s and '70s – it reinvigorates the genre with contemporary sensibilities while honoring its baroque pop influences.
What strikes me most about this collection is how Quesada has assembled an impressive constellation of Latin stars (Cuco, Ed Maverick, Hermanos Gutiérrez, Monsieur Perine) without allowing the album to devolve into a parade of guest appearances. Each collaboration feels essential to the project's vision, weaving together to create a tapestry of sound that's both nostalgic and forward-looking.
Co-producer Alex Goose (known for his work with Aaron Frazer and Childish Gambino) deserves significant credit here. Together with Quesada, they've expanded the sonic palette established in the first volume, creating arrangements that breathe with organic warmth while incorporating modern production techniques. The strings swell and recede like emotional tides, percussion elements maintain an understated complexity, and the vocals convey heartbreak and longing with remarkable restraint.
For vinyl enthusiasts, the production quality alone makes this record worth acquiring. The separation between instruments allows each element to shine without compromising the cohesive atmosphere. This is music designed for careful listening – preferably through a proper hi-fi system with a glass of something amber-colored within reach.
Where to buy: ATO Records Shop
If you enjoy this record, explore: Chicano Batman's "Invisible People," Natalia Lafourcade's "Musas," and The Marias' "Cinema."
Loyle Carner - Hopefully: A Heartfelt Letter in Hip-Hop Form
LABEL: EMI GENRE: Hip Hop
There's something profoundly moving about witnessing an artist's evolution, particularly when that growth parallels their personal journey. Loyle Carner's fourth album, "Hopefully," emerges as precisely that – a testament to artistic maturation entwined with life's profound transformations.
The album stands as a love letter to his daughter, revealing Carner at his most vulnerable and expressive. The British artist navigates the terrain of genre-fluid hip-hop with the grace of someone who understands that rigid boundaries serve no purpose in art or life. His jazz-poetry sensibilities remain intact, but there's a newfound emotional depth that resonates throughout the record.
Carner's warm, introspective lyrics reveal a man contemplating love and hope with remarkable sincerity. There's nothing performative about his approach – each word feels carefully chosen, each verse deliberately constructed to convey genuine sentiment rather than manufactured emotion.
What distinguishes "Hopefully" from countless other hip-hop records is Carner's unwillingness to hide behind posturing or pretense. His conversational flow invites listeners into his world without reservation, creating an intimacy that's increasingly rare in contemporary music. When he speaks of hopes and dreams for the future, you believe every syllable.
This album doesn't demand your attention through bombastic production or trendy collaborations – it earns it through honesty and craftsmanship. It's the musical equivalent of a thoughtful letter from a dear friend who has taken the time to consider what truly matters in life.
Purchase the album: EMI Records
For those who appreciate Loyle Carner's thoughtful approach to hip-hop, I recommend exploring the works of Kae Tempest, Little Simz's "Sometimes I Might Be Introvert," and Saba's "Few Good Things."
S.G. Goodman - Planting by the Signs: Authentic Americana Rooted in Truth
LABEL: Leiter GENRE: Classical
There's something undeniably refreshing about an artist whose work emanates authenticity without a hint of affectation. S.G. Goodman's "Planting by the Signs" achieves this rare balance, offering a collection of songs that feel deeply personal while addressing universal human experiences.
Goodman's voice – with its distinctive timbre and emotional directness – serves as the perfect vehicle for these narratives of struggle, resilience, and cautious hope. What elevates this record above the crowded Americana landscape is how she integrates regional musical traditions with contemporary sensibilities without diluting either element.
The production strikes that elusive sweet spot between polish and rawness, allowing the songs to breathe while preserving their emotional immediacy. Each instrumental element serves the composition rather than competing for attention – a rhythm section that knows when to drive and when to recede, guitar work that enhances rather than overwhelms the vocal melodies, and arrangements that build tension and release with remarkable restraint.
Throughout the album, Goodman demonstrates her gift for economical yet evocative lyricism. These aren't verbose exercises in wordplay but precisely crafted observations and confessions that resonate with lived experience. When she sings about hardship, you believe her; when she offers moments of tenderness, they feel earned rather than sentimental.
Where to buy: Verve Records
If you enjoy this record, explore: Waxahatchee's "Saint Cloud," Jason Isbell's "Southeastern," and Gillian Welch's "The Harrow & The Harvest."
The Black Dog - My Brutal Life 2: Electronic Landscapes for Contemplation
LABEL: Dust Science Recordings GENRE: Ambient
Few electronic music outfits have maintained both relevance and artistic integrity over decades like The Black Dog. With "My Brutal Life 2," they continue their exploration of ambient textures and subtle rhythmic elements, creating soundscapes that reward attentive listening while functioning equally well as environmental enhancement.
What distinguishes this collection from countless ambient releases is the group's masterful control of tension and space. Each composition evolves with purpose and restraint, introducing elements that interact in unexpected ways without ever feeling random or arbitrary. There's mathematical precision here, but it never comes at the expense of emotional resonance.
The album title – "My Brutal Life 2" – suggests personal struggle transformed into art, and indeed, these pieces carry emotional weight despite their largely instrumental nature. The sonic palette employed creates atmospheres that range from contemplative melancholy to cautious optimism, often within the same track. Gentle dissonance resolves into moments of harmonic clarity; fractured rhythms eventually find cohesion.
For vinyl enthusiasts, this is a record that truly benefits from the format's warmth and spatial characteristics. The engineering and mastering show remarkable attention to detail, with frequencies balanced to create immersive sonic environments without fatiguing the listener. This is music that can fill a room without dominating it – perfect for evening listening sessions when attention can drift between focused appreciation and ambient enjoyment.
Where to buy: Rough Trade
If you enjoy this record, explore: Burial's "Untrue," Boards of Canada's "Music Has the Right to Children," and Jon Hopkins' "Immunity."Remember, dear friends, that music is best enjoyed with an open mind and an open heart. Until our next musical encounter, keep your ears curious and your record player spinning.
Check out the FAB 50 playlist on Spotify for all of my recent discoveries!
I encourage you to spend time with these albums, to give them the attention they deserve rather than relegating them to background listening. In a world increasingly dominated by algorithmic recommendations and fleeting engagement, these carefully crafted works reward patient listening and thoughtful consideration.
Until our next musical rendezvous, may your turntables spin steadily and your headphones reveal new sonic details with each listening session.
