Check out some of our on-air and music teams’ favorite releases of this season!
From Brooke Carlson, host of Petit Dejeuner Club
Y La Bamba – “Lucha”
I felt a lot of feelings listening to Y La Bamba’s latest release, “Lucha” – it’s tender, magical, thoughtful, sad. As always, but perhaps more than ever on this particular album, Y La Bamba’s lilting harmonies drift you into a dreamlike state. Lead vocalist Luz Elena Mendoza Ramos guides the listener on a journey that explores themes of ancestry, identity, sexuality, and so much more.
From Jonny Polivka, host of Jonny’s Playlist
Arlo Parks – “My Soft Machine”
Given the weightlessness of Parks’ voice, there’s sometimes a struggle on how best to frame it. Her debut favoured lo-fi guitar and beat combos for anchorage, but ‘My Soft Machine’, occasionally, takes more risks. On ‘Devotion’, there’s real vim in spirited guitar breakdown, and ‘Dog Rose’ shares the haunting soundscapes as Fontaines D.C.’s ‘Skinty Fia’, a record she’s earmarked as a key inspiration. ‘I’m Sorry’ and ‘Purple Phase’ have a whiff of Khruangbin about them. — nme
Exotico, which follows their 2019 effort, Hot Motion. For this album, Temples worked with Sean Ono Lennon as producer, who they connected with at Desert Daze Festival. Developing the band’s dreamy psych-rock sound, Exotico is a paradoxical record – one that feels contained in a specific location and atmosphere while also drawing from a vast genre pool that appears to transcend the past and present. – Far Out magazine
Lawn Chair – “Eat The Beans and Wear The Jeans”
After self-producing debut EP in the Spring of 2022, LAWN CHAIR took to the studio once again to define their own blend of indie and punk rock with a wavy atmosphere that oozes an individualism that sets them apart from other bands. The outcome, Eat The Beans and Wear The Jeans. — Soundsphere Magazine
From Jamie Drakos, host of NW HonkeyTonk
Kassi Valazza – “Kassi Valzza Knows Nothing“
Kassi Valazza’s latest album echoes with longing, heartbreak, and an aching honesty. On Instagram, the Portland artist declared it the most vulnerable she’s ever been in her lyrics and melodies. A native of the southwest, Kassi’s album feels drenched in that same warm, sleepy, sunlight while simultaneously being energized by psychedelic overtones and interludes that would be at home in any Jefferson Airplane tune. TK & The Holy Know-Nothings, backing Kassi on the album, shine in full force, displaying how adept, versatile, and gentle that good-time Honky-Tonkin’ band can be with these beautiful, dreamy tunes.
We’re hoping Kassi Valazza with TK & the Holy Know-Nothings can fly this album all the way to the moon and back again. It sure merits nothing less. If you are a collector – go get that black vinyl before it sells out like the orange vinyl printing already has!
Nudie Cohn – “The Original Rhinestone Cowboy”
This article provides distinctly old news, but on a recent episode of the NW Honky Tonk we celebrated the contributions of people with Jewish Heritage to country music. It is difficult to appreciate in full the contributions of Nudie Cohn, a Ukrainian Jewish immigrant, to country music via just audio. His design creations, worn by everyone from Hank Williams Sr. in the 40s to Brandi Carlile today, are an emblem of country music.
Nudie Cohn put his mark on country music by taking an emerging style of western wear and imbuing it with glitz, flamboyance, rhinestones, and his distinctive chain-stitch embroidery centered on a theme. Nudie suits were worn by all the country music greats, many of rocks hottest artists, and continue to be worn by today’s greats – even Post Malone has several. My favorite was seeing Leslie Jordan, rocketed to fame by his Instagram stories during the pandemic, get his own country album and accompanying Nudie Suit. Yee haw, sir! Yee haw!
From Cynthia Orlando, PRP team member
Sunny War – “Anarchist Gospel”
Los Angeles blues-based guitarist Sunny War may just get a Grammy nomination this year. Her newest album “Anarchist Gospel” is a perfect combination of spunk (“No Reason”), desperation (“I Got No Fight”), anger and spite (“Baby Bitch”), and vulnerability (“New Day”). Vocals are soulful and deep, plus, “Anarchist Gospel” boasts guest appearances by Allison Russell and Dave Rawlings.
Years ago, War could be found busking the streets of Venice, California, while perfecting her unique acoustic fingerpicking style. Now, she’s on tour promoting this stellar release. It’s an album sure to bring her the recognition she’s been deserving.
Fruit Bats – “A River Running to Your Heart”
Fruit Bats “A River Running to Your Heart” is one for your collection. At the helm of Fruit Bats is ever-talented musician Eric Johnson, formerly of The Shins. No strangers to Indie rock, this is the band’s tenth release.
A mostly playful collection of expertly crafted tracks, the album’s soft-rock sounds resonate. Watch especially for uplifting “Waking Up in Los Angeles,” the exuberant title track, and nostalgic balled “We Used to Live Here.” Simply put? Led by accomplished musician Johnson, Fruit Bats continue to excel, and their new release delivers.
From Veronica Bisesti, host of Subculture
Blur – “The Ballad of Darren”
“The Ballad of Darren” marks Blur’s ninth studio album and definitely has a maturity about it – that’s to be expected as bands grow, age and split time with other projects. What comes across immediately with the first single “The Narcissist” is a definite recognition of intention – it’s a beautiful song. Take a listen, it’s worth your time.
From Jenna D, host of Theme for a Tuesday
“It’s on songs from The Sun including the title track that their hearts beat as one, realizing their own potential is greater than themselves, and exponentially more powerful together. “The Sun” is a true confidence booster and started off as a dramatic tune that has since taken on a bouncier production, helmed by producer and frequent collaborator Christian “Leggy” Langdon.” -Pass The Aux
“For a while now, following the National has been like watching from the inside as someone’s life unfolds. Their best work embodies the essence of certain milestones, and Berninger has long excelled at capturing the tone of moments that feel important to the people living them, if no one else…The band addresses a different marker this time around: First Two Pages of Frankenstein is the National’s divorce album. It’s a taut, focused collection that reins in the sprawl of the group’s 2019 release I Am Easy to Find and re-centers the band on their most emotionally complete effort since Boxer.” –Paste
“Joy Oladokun has the kind of voice that pulls you closer, making even the most grandiose sentiment feel personal. It’s a vibe she embraces throughout her uplifting fourth full-length album, 2023’s Proof of Life. As a Black queer woman raised in Arizona by Christian Nigerian immigrant parents, Oladokun has a lot to write about…
While she never shies away from explicitly dealing with tough issues on Proof of Life, her writing is always relatable and curative, like a friend bringing you in with a smile and a hand on your back.” – AllMusic
Sir Chloe – “I Am The Dog”
“Rich in narrative, with glorious vocal performances and doused in reverbed guitars, I Am The Dog is a success for Sir Chloe. Feeling utmost personal with its accounts that delve into the chaos of life, with nods to influences such as PJ Harvey and St Vincent, the album is a remarkable debut that presents itself as the band’s most sophisticated release to date.” – Indie Is Not A Genre
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