It's that time... it's time for new music

Stella- Adagio

Label: Sub Pop
Genre: Lite Indie Pop
Reviewed by: Mak Kanekkeberg
Adagio by Σtella is a beautiful album that she began making while on a boat in the mediterranean. It captures all the bubbly sounds of the ocean and has an upbeat danceable tune. It’s jazzy, pop-y, and fun. The album features sparkling keyboard, bouncy drums, soothing strings, and exciting electronic sounds. “Adagio”, the title track jumps the listener straight into the album with a sweet and soft ballad with a catchy and playful tune. Perfectly fitting a dinner party or cooking vibe. This is definitely a song you could play while romantically dancing around your kitchen in the late hours of the night. Track 4, “Baby Brazil” which features Las Palabras is bouncy, vibrant, and lively. Perfect summer beach-y song to listen to with friends. Track 5 “Can I say” is perfect for Laufey music enjoyers, the beat is very reminiscent of Laufey’s signature sound. Overall, Σtella does such a lovely job on this album, it all flows so seamlessly and carries a similar theme throughout. The feature of the Greek language within several of her songs also connects Stella to her roots as she grew up in the center of it all, Athens, Greece.

Black Country, New Road- Forever Howlong

Label: Ninja Tune
Genre: Exp Indie Rock, Post Punk Revival
Reviewed by: Colin Lewis
Forever Howlong creates a new era for Black Country, New Road after an experimental live album, where the members took new roles. After their sophomore album, Ants from Up There, the lead singer, Issac Wood, left the band over struggles with mental health and BCNR was unsure if more music would be made. Thankfully, a new album with a new style is here. Long-time fans will see a distinct change in lyrical content and tone. The band stated this album’s perspective is strongly female compared to their previous work. The album’s songs are vulnerable in a more melodic way than their previous work. Songs like “Besties” and “Two Horses” are simpler than their usual fare, but feel refreshing and easier to sing and dance to. The album is upbeat and mature after a grief-stricken era from the voice of Isaac Wood. A favorite aspect of this new album is the elevated tension felt in its songs. The release is made better with the crescendos from the vast compilation of instruments and the climaxes hit hard. My favorite song, “For Cold Country”, uses this technique multiple times pairing intensifying sonic themes with a medieval lyrical style detailing blades, shields, and armor. My favorite line on the album comes from this song: “I’ll take off my armor, if you promise to stay”. The vulnerable but powerful lyrics pair well with the violin and mandolin arrangement. With this more folk-focused album, the band develops new wings for instrumentation. A real kick is that each female in the band sings multiple songs and harmonies throughout the album which creates a pleasing anticipation of which voice may be heard next. If you’re just getting into this band, I highly recommend starting with this album and then listening to their catalog from newest to oldest, as I believe this album is an amazing entryway into the world of Black Country, New Road. 4 Stars out of 5.

Tyler, The Creator- Chromakopia

Label: Columbia Records
Genre: Rap
Reviewed by: Mak Kanekkeberg
Chromakopia by Tyler, The Creator is arguably one of his best albums. Tyler uses a wide range of instruments and techniques to craft this album, giving the sound a larger and more grand feel. Energetic trumpets, distinct piano, electric guitars, gritty synths, and large percussion build this album to reveal a project bigger than just himself. Although the popularity of this album was debated heavily at first, after listening to each track a few times you begin to grasp the deeper meaning behind it. Chromakopia follows Tyler through the battles of familial relations and growing up with a single mother. Track 12 “Like Him” follows this narrative, expressing the anger and frustration both he and his mother faced, his father wanting to be a part of his life, but his mother seeing his father too deeply in Tyler and refusing the connection between the two. “Judge Judy” talks about the scrutiny behind judging people for their pasts, and how he refuses to take part in that action. We see a new side of Tyler through this album. The lyrics are spun together with meaning beyond his other albums. Track 6 “I Killed You”, and others seem to be focused on inner dialogue and conversations with himself. As he stares into his reflection as who he has become and who he will grow to be. It also discusses topics, like in Track 3 “Noid”, around the life of being an artist and being put so heavily in the public's eye, that his personal life has been stripped away from him and his privacy is no longer his. This album is a vulnerable account of Tylers life, spun into a narrative that is interesting and all the while raw and real. Tyler unleashes a new era of his music through Chromakopia that I hope to see continue in his future projects. This isn't just a Tyler, The Creator project, but one done by Tyler Gregory Okonma. He has shown himself to be a more than a rapper and music artist in this album, but a storyteller, and a poet.

Destroyer- Dan's Boogie

Label: Merge
Genre: Indie
Reviewed by: MC
Dan’s Boogie is listening to poetry being recited by someone who doesn’t quite remember the words, but with a full band accompanying their rendition, matching every stumble. Each song feels like a jumble of images and ideas, at first disconnected, but brought back together through their position inside the musical landscape created by instrumentation. Musical content creates a structure for unstructured thoughts. This album has layers that always reinforce each other. Lush soundscapes transition to sparse and build up again across song boundaries. Little musical moments occur behind every corner. Take a listen. Have a think. This album wants you to ponder. To take it apart layer by layer before putting it back together. Climb high enough to see the combination. Embrace this rare opportunity!

Lucy Dacus- Forever is a Feeling

Label: Geffen/Polydor
Genre: Indie Alt Pop
Reviewed by: Claire Leitner
The fourth album from Lucy Dacus, one-third of the indie band boygenius, further departs from the more electric guitar driven sound of her earlier albums and embraces a more subdued, spacey, and polished production. The album focuses more on lyricism and is an earnest retelling of personal experiences of love, desire, and self-discovery. The drive behind most songs is the songwriting, such as “Lost Times”, where Lucy Dacus’s feelings of regret and her desire to reclaim moments are backed by mellow instrumentation. When listening to the album front to back, the instrumentation definitely feels slow and linear, but the song's storytelling and lyrical front definitely make up for it!

HotWax- Hot Shock

Label: Marathon
Genre: Indie Alt Pop
Reviewed by: Mak Kanekkeberg
Gritty, playful, and electric are words to describe Hot Shock by the UK band HotWax. This is their debut album, and if you enjoy teenage bedroom rock you’ll enjoy this. It’s got raspy vocals, moody tones, and great instrumental solos. I appreciate the bands commitment to letting their drummer and guitarist really shine throughout their music. This album is youthful and fresh, all members of the band are clearly talented, and this is a band that everyone should be following as we progress into the next era of rock music. Track 1 “She’s Got a Problem” is funky and dynamic, it’s got a great sound and introduces the album perfectly. If you want something more mellow track 10 “Pharmacy” is for you. It’s the perfect closer for this amped up album.

Jon Cleary- The Bywater Sessions

Label: FHQ
Genre: New Orleans Jazz and R&B
Reviewed by: Len Comaratta
His band is comprised of members who’ve played with Squirrel Nut Zippers, Galactic, Preservation Hall, Delfayo Marsalis, and Ledisi, among others. It’s hot and straight down the line of New Orleans vibe. Cleary was featured in the show Treme and listening to this, it’s evident as to why. For being from the UK, his handle on the tradition of New Orleans is impressive.

Bria Salmena- Big Dog

Label: Sub Pop
Genre: Indie Alt Rock Reviewed by: Lane Robertson
The perfect soundtrack for the next big dystopian novel movie series kicks off with the angst of being stuck in one place, strengthens to the terror and immense joy following change, and ends with unresolved yet satisfyingly reflective tempos. “Closer to You” (3) has the same infinite feel of David Bowie's “Heroes” and Lorde's “Green Light”. Other songs sound straight off a Beach House album. “Twilight” (6) is a masterfully executed “Roslyn”-by-Bon-Iver feel via the Salmena’s inviting vocals. Listening to Big Dog is like listening to a letter addressed to one's past self, and it's beautiful.

Momma- Welcome To My Blue Sky

Label: Polyvinyl
Genre: Indie Rock Reviewed by: Hayden Swenson
Lush, summery pop/rock with a moderate dose of late 90s-early 2000s nostalgia. Welcome To My Blue Sky's runtime is split between grungy power pop and softer, more intimate tracks with touches of keyboard and electronics. The production on this record is a significant step up from Momma's previous releases, featuring a more atmospheric, layered sound than 2022's Household Name. Play this on warm sunny days!