New Music Recommendations – 17th August 2018

by Philip Moss

Cat Power ft Lana Del Rey – Woman

After the fantastically enchanting lead track, Wanderer, Chan Marshall aka Cat Power is back with the second track, Woman.

In a recent press release, Marshall explained that the new album, her first in six years, is an ode to previous generations of folk and blues singers, that captures their journey of highs, lows, struggles and successes- ‘They were all wanderers, and I am lucky to be one of them’.

Woman sees Marshall enlist the help of friend and former touring partner, Lana Del Rey. In a fantastic slice of country infused Americana, Marshall and Del Rey, entwine their vocals in a majestic dance of sultry melody, before breaking into a pounding vociferous chorus in an eminently enjoyable five minutes of blues driven pop.

Wanderer will be released on October 5th through Domino Records.

Kurt Vile – Loading Zones

Kurt Vile is back with his first new solo material since 2015’s superb b’lieve i’m going down. 

Loading Zones was released this week complete with an accompanying video directed by Drew Saracco. Vile has always been a hugely eloquent storyteller and this track definitely displays that knack with its poetic reciting of illegal parking strategies (which is actually far more captivating that it sounds).

There are no announcements about an album as yet, but one surely cannot be too far away. Last year’s album with Courtney Barnett – Lotta Sea Lice – was an absolute blast, but we’re certainly looking forward to hearing a new solo record.

Vile also returns to the UK this November with The Violators. You can catch the former The War On Drugs in Brighton, London, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow.

Iceage – Under The Sun

With recent single, Hurrah, getting regular spins on BBC 6 Music, Danish punks, Iceage, return with one of a number of highlights from their latest record, Beyondless.

For the video, they enlisted renowned flower sculptor, Azuma Makoto – who famously made the headpiece for Rhianna’s British Vogue cover shoot. And he has created a gorgeous installation of foliage, which perfectly juxtaposes the band’s darkly beautiful live performance.

New album, Beyondless, is out now on Matador Records. Iceage will tour the UK throughout September.

The Lemon Twigs – The Fire

Following on from their acclaimed 2016 debut, Do Hollywood, and the equally impressive Brothers of Destruction EP (2017),  New York natives’ The Lemon Twigs continue to tease their upcoming rock opera concept album, Go to School.

Fronted by the multi-talented D’Addario brothers, The Fire follows on from previous singles If You Give Enough and Small Victories, and builds further anticipation for the new album, with a jam packed poptastic six minutes that excites and enthrals, yet with juxtaposed lyrics that tackle the subjects of violence and bullying in schools.

With upcoming shows at this weekend’s Green Man Festival, before a nationwide tour supporting Arctic Monkeys, it promises to be a huge few months for the Long Islanders.

Go To School will be released on August 24th through 4AD.

Still Corners – The Message

Still Corners’ new album is full of a brooding tension that is perfectly encapsulated on latest single, The Message.

Speaking of the record’s instinctive feel, vocalist, Tessa Murray, said – “We wanted to hear beautiful guitar and drums and an otherworldliness… we moved fast to avoid our brains getting in the way too much. The name Slow Air evokes the feel of the album to me- steady, eerie and beautiful.”

Still Corners’ forth LP, Slow Air, is out today through Wrecking Light Records. They will also play the UK with dates in London on 29th November, and Bristol on 30th November.

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