Ryan Adams: 1985

Ryan Adams can do punk. 1985, one of the five albums he released earlier this year, is quite a pure and poignant example of this. The album starts at 100mph and 29 tracks later is still at the same speed. Wow!

Opening track...

Ryan Adams: Heatwave

Heatwave is a straight up rock album. It's nice to hear Ryan jam out and sing with that rock and roll voice. The record truly is a powerhouse. 

Here is the title track...

Ryan Adams: Sword & Stone

Of the four records of original material Ryan Adams released earlier this year, Sword & Stone is easily the most introspective. Chock full of AM gold tidbits, the album showcases his uncanny ability to create modern nostalgia.

Here is one of my faves...

Ryan Adams: Star Sign (Album of the Week)

Earlier this year, Ryan Adams released four albums of new and original material and one live album, playing his record Prisoner from start to finish. It's taken me far too long to review these records so I'm going to do so over the next few days. Artists simply don't make music that sounds like AM radio in the late 70s, early 80s and I truly feel these records deserve a special focus. 

I'm going to start with Star Sign which is easily the best of the four, representing the themes and style that Adams is famous for. So, it's the Album of the Week!

This track made me cry the first time I heard it...

How does this guy get so deep into the soul?

The next standout track is just classic AM Gold.

The album closes with this dark but hopeful number...

An absolute stunner of a record!

Chris Coehn: Paint A Room

Chris Cohen's latest record will great please soft rock fans of the world. Paint A Room is the L.A. native's best effort yet. Yacht rock devotees will go crazy...in their own yacht rock way...

Here is one of my faves...

Porij: Teething

Manchester's own Porij are a fun little alternative, lo fi outfit. Their latest record is called Teething and it's filled with interesting numbers about life. I simply adore all the catchiness to it!

Opening track...

Cigarettes After Sex: X's

El Paso natives Cigarettes After Sex are back with yet another ethereal and slinky record. X's continues their exploration into the inviting darkness of love and passion. I willingly want to go along for the ride.

Here is one of my faves...

Brijean: Macro (Album Of The Week)

There is truly something deeply amazing about space age bachelor pad music. The pysch-loungey-ness of all of it just puts me in the exact right vibe. The latest release from LA's own Brijean completely fucking nails this vibe. Macro is their best work yet. 

First up we likely have my track of the year. Not kidding. It's that fucking good. 

Where's my martini?

This next track reminds me of elevator music (done right) with a big dash of Astrud Gilberto...

I can hear it playing in the lounge on the moonbase!

And then we have the way after the club dancing in the dark with a friend track...

Twelve tracks of bliss...start listening!

Beabadoobee: This Is How Tomorrow Moves

Beabadoobee is back with an excellent record called This Is How Tomorrow Moves. The Filipino born international superstar has crafted an indie darling of an album. The introspection in the lyrics really hits me right in the heartstrings.

Opening track...

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: Flight B741

The crazy world of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard comes careening back into the orbit of the world with Flight B741. This time around the genre is 70s rock, combo of American and Brit. 

Opening track...

Cults: To The Ghosts

Cults are quite a fun band. The NYC outfit has a new record out called To The Ghosts and it's just dreamy. From the opening track, you feel as though you are being transported to another time and place...

Beachwood Sparks: Across The River Of Stars

LA's own Beachwood Sparks is back with their fourth record. Across The River Of Stars is jangly fun fest of delight and merriment. This outfit continues to impress me with their commitment to a style of music many have sadly forgotten. 

Here is one of my faves...

Jack White: No Name (Album of the Week)

Jack White is an American treasure. He is the living embodiment of modern rock and continues to be the foremost ambassador of the alternative/indie scene. His latest is called No Name and right out of the gate, we are rocking!

If you want to channel your inner 1970s hard rock, there is this track...

The sounds he gets from his guitar on this one....

Folks, this is one of the best records of 2024. Start listening!

The Smashing Pumpkins: Aghori Mhori Mei

Holy crap is the new Smashing Pumpkins album amazing. One of the Chicago's finest are back to form with Aghori Mhori Mei. Please go listen with your 90s alternative self!

Opening track...

Brigette Calls Me Baby: The Future Is Our Way Out

The debut album from Brigette Calls Me Baby is finally out. The Future Is Our Way Out comes on to the scene after a series of single release teases. The Chicago based band leans heavily into early indie rock from the 80s, in particular The Smiths. Yet they have quite a bit of 50s ballad pop sound to them as well. 

Dig it!

Michael & The Mighty Midnight Rewind: Songs For Sinners & Saints

Killer Mike is back with a shovel to the head stunning project called Songs For Saints & Sinners. The music is rooted in the urban soul of the early to mid 70s combined with that Mike style and stream of consciousness that is oh so amazing. 

Check this one out!

Go listen!

Future Utopia: Django's High

Fraser T. Smith has a wonderful little outfit called Future Utopia for all you psychedelic pop fans out there. The second offering has arrived in the form of Django's High, a truly transplendant record filled with multi-colour visions of cosmic delight. Check it out!

Here is one of my faves...

Humanist: On The Edge Of A Lost And Lonely World

Humanist is the brainchild of Rob Marshall, a multi-instrumentalist and song writer who hails from Teeside in the northeast of England. Offering a varied cast of vocalists, the outfit sports a myriad of styles and cosmic explorations of the soul. The sophomore effort, On The Edge Of A Lost and Lonely World, is out now.

Here's a great track that features Ed Harcourt...

Gum: III Times (Album of the Week)

Norham, Western Australia has produced a truly wonderful and talented artist named Jay Watson who performs under the project title Gum. His latest is called III Times and the opening track is a pitch perfect start to the journey... 

The title track brings me right back to those cool synth sounds of the 1970s.

And then there is the funky grooves of this throwback track...

Vocalist Ambrose Kenny-Smith is a key collaborator on this record and his singing is top notch! 

This is such a unique record in a day and age when far too many artists sound samey. Check it out!!

Neutrals: New Town Dream

The post punk indie bliss of New Town Dream by Neutrals has been heavy in rotation in my life of late. The SF bay area outfit have firmly established themselves as a solid dudes with guitars band.

Here is one of my faves...