by Philip Moss

We’ve some great tracks for you to get your ears around this week – check out new Sub Pop signing, Shannon Lay, as well as tracks from Erin Durant, Jackie Cohen, Stef Chura, Angie McMahon, Jarvis Cocker, Swimming Tapes and Leeds based, Crake.

In 2017, Shannon Lay released her excellent debut LP, Living Water, through Kevin Morby’s Mare Records. This week, she has put out the first single from her currently untitled sophomore record, which will be released through Sub Pop. Check out her cover of Karen Dalton’s Something on Your Mind above.

We’ve been lucky enough to have had a copy of Erin Durant’s upcoming record, Islands, for a few weeks, and – without giving too much away – it may well be one of our favourite records we’ve heard this year. Above is the title track, so – do yourself a favour: press play and drift away in its magnificence. The LP is coming out through Keeled Scales on 21st June.

Jackie Cohen’s debut album, Zagg, is out this week on Spacebomb Records, and it’s preceded by the single, Chico Chico. The album, which has been produced by Foxygen’s Jonathan Rado – who incidentally also produced Weyes Blood’s superb Titanic Rising – and Matthew E. White, is her first release since the two EPs which featured The Lemon Twigs as her backing band. With all the sunshine that’s around at the moment, this is definitely one for your BBQ playlist!

Speaking of the sun, this really is a shimmering piece of slacker pop! We first heard this lot through our friends, Balloon Machine, and now we can’t get enough – Keep Her Closer is the latest single from the upcoming album, Morningside, which was mixed by Tom Schick at Wilco’s The Loft Studios, Chicago. Morningside is due out on 24th May through Hand in Hive.

Stef Chura’s upcoming album, Midnight, is due out in early June through Saddle Creek. This, the Detroit based singer’s third single from the record, features producer, Will Toldeo from Car Seat Headrest, and is an absolute banger! Get on it!!

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It’s been a good few weeks for Angie McMahon – after winning the Grulke Prize at SXSW for best new artist (a prize previously awarded to Chvrhes and Courtney Barnett, Jo Wiley also made her new single, Pasta, her Record of the Week. Angie McMahon is in the UK for a short run of dates next week – including appearances at All Point East, the Dot to Dot festivals in Manchester, Nottingham and Bristol, plus a show at The Lexington in London on 28th May with Brooke Bentham. Debut album, Salt, is out on 26th July.

Leeds quartet, Crake, have a new EP – Dear Natalie – coming out in June. Check out the lead track, Glycerin, above. And if you’re lucky enough to be going to any of Big Thief’s UK shows next week, make sure you get down early – Crake will be providing support throughout the tour.

Finally, anyone who’s been lucky enough to catch one of the Jarv Is… shows over the last couple of years will recognise Mr Cocker’s latest single, Should I Evolve? And what a fine return it is from the former Pulp main man – now when’s that album coming!?

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