Even the so called classics are releasing new material through the lockdown period, Getintothis’ Simon Kirk takes a look at these alongside today’s other new releases.
Well, it’s a happier Friday than previous ones, with record stores starting to get back to some form of normality.
As you’re about to find out, it’s a day interwoven with classic artists and the new breed.
On these pages we do try and focused on new artists as much as possible but, well, it’s not every day Dylan releases new music while Neil Young is finally bringing to life something that has been stuck in the vaults for decades. It could be a disaster as much as it could be something completely fulfilling. We’ll let you decide.
As for fresh artists, there’s a slew of them, so have no fear.
Speaking of, do check into Getintothis on Monday morning where we will be featuring 31 albums that we have missed so far this year. Many of those artists have been fleetingly referenced within this weekly feature this year.
For now, though, we’ll leave you to your own devices.
This week’s top new releases.
Best albums of 2020 so far; Getintothis staff select the year’s top new records of the year so far
Phoebe Bridgers
1. Phoebe Bridgers: Punisher
Dead Oceans
One of the finest modern day songwriters in the business, Phoebe Bridgers, returns with her much-anticipated new album, Punisher.
Bridgers is a fine dealer in all things heartbreak and we expect a bit more of that from her right here. Others’ pain can be your pleasure, we suppose.
Bob Dylan
2. Bob Dylan: Rough and Rowdy Ways
Columbia Record
Bob Dylan returns with his first album of new material in eight years with Rough and Rowdy Ways.
His first album since becoming the only songwriter to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016, Rough and Rowdy Ways includes opening track, the sixteen minute epic, I Contain Multitudes.
Braids
3. Braids: Shadow Offering
Secret City
With its original release date pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian three piece, Braids, return with their fourth album and their first for new label, Secret City in Shadow Offering, which was co-produced with Death Cab For Cutie‘s Chris Walla.
Braids still plan to tour Liverpool in November in support of Shadow Offering. Details can be found in our gig guide.
Kidsmoke
4. Kidsmoke: A Vision in the Dark
Libertino Records
Welsh dream pop collective, Kidsmoke unleash their highly anticipated debut album, A Vision in the Dark.
Having played last year’s SXSW in Austin as well as having their track, Take Me to the River, featured on the popular Netflix series, Black Mirror, the upward trajectory feels complete here with A Vision in the Dark.
Justice’s enigmatic debut: a masterclass in electronic music
Neil Young performing at The LIverpool Echo Arena
5. Neil Young: Homegrown
Reprise Records
It’s just one of those days for the “classic” artists. Along with Dylan, Neil Young releases his latest album, Homegrown.
Originally written in ’74/’75, Homegrown is an acoustic album inspired by his split with girlfriend, Carrie Snodgress. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. This could anything.
Owen (photo credit: via artist’s Facebook page)
6. Owen: The Avalanche
Big Scary Monsters
Cap’n Jazz and American Football‘s Mike Kinsella returns with his solo debut album under the moniker of Owen.
The Avalanche has been described as lo-fi bedroom balladry. American Football haven’t put a foot wrong since their return last decade and we expect this to be no different.
Constant Smiles – (photo credit: via artist’s Facebook page)
7. Constant Smiles: Control
Sacred Bones Records
Constant Smiles return with their third album in as many years with Control.
Following last year’s release, the very underrated John Waters, if you like your tunes with rich atmospheric textures then you may wish to enter the world of Constant Smiles. Dreampop, shoegaze, psych. Yes, it’s all here.
Darkstar
This week’s other notable releases:
- Oumou Sangaré: Acoustic (No Format!)
- Darkstar: Civic Jams (Warp)
- Angela Muñoz: Introspection (NOTON)
- Becca Mancari: The Greatest Part (Captured Tracks)
- Cat Clyde: Good Bones (Cinematic Music Group)
- Cro-Mags: In the Begining (Mission Two Entertainment)
- Don Bryant: You Make Me Feel (Fat Possum Records)
- Drift.: Symbiosis (Tapete Records)
- Etuk Ubong: Africa Today (Night Dreamer)
- Filter Dread: Trickster (COYOTE)
- Fierro Ex Machina: Processions (Iron Flower)
- Gordi: Two Skins (Jagjaguwar)
- Gum Country: (feat. members of The Courtneys): Somewhere (Gum Country)
- Jenny O.: Truth (Mama Bird Recording Co.)
- Jonah Yano: souvenir (Innovative Leisure)
- Kacy Hill: Is It Selfish If We Talk About Me Again (Kacy Hill)
- The Koreatown Oddity: Little Dominques Nosebleed (Stones Throw Records)
- Lamb of God: Lamb of God (Epic, Nuclear Blast)
- Loke Rahbek: All in the Same Breath (Posh Isolation)
- Maya Hawke: Blush (Mom + Pop Music)
- Michael Franti & Spearhead: Work Hard and Be Nice (Boo Boo Wax)
- Nana Grizol: South Somewhere Else (Arrowhawk Records / Don Giovanni)
- ORGÖNE: MOS/FET (Heavy Psych Sounds)
- Pabst: Deuce Ex Machina (Ketchup Tracks)
- Pinch: Reality Tunnels (Tectonic)
- Protest the Hero: Palimpsest (Spinefarm)
- Skinshape: Umoja (Lewis Recordings)
- Shirley King: Blues For A King (Cleopatra Blues)
- Simon Castricum: Panic/Desire (Self-released)
- We Versus the Shark: Goodbye Guitar (Ernest Jenning Record)
- Wire: 10:20 (Pinkflag)
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