Check out some of our on-air and music teams’ favorite releases of this season!

From Veronica Bisesti, host of Subculture

“Pistol” – Limited Series – FX & Hulu

Hey…all you punk rockers out there…this is for you!  Based on the memoir (“Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol”) of Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones, “Pistol” is the story of four working-class kids with a major attitude problem.   They changed the face of rock and roll, challenged the establishment and made anarchy fashionable.  Although they didn’t invent or create the genre of punk, The Pistols defined its mission – revolution.

 

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Cool it Down
It’s been almost ten long years since we’ve heard new music from YYY’s.  The first taste from their upcoming release “Cool it Down” (album name taken from a Velvet Underground track) is entitled “Spitting off the Edge of the World ” –  anthemic, haunting, utter perfection.  Alongside longtime producer Dave Sitek, the trio is back with a thought-provoking collection of brilliantly poised music.
From Ray Gill Jr., host of Rudeboy Radio
 Bob Vylan – Health is Wealth
London two-piece, Bob Vylan’s single “Health is Wealth” masterfully blends its hype beats and lyrical flow to bring awareness to the issue of food inequality. The lyrics take the food dessert epidemic out of hidden ghettos and serve it worldwide through a distinctly OUTKAST level production with a sick vocal reggae twist.  
Hitsujungaku feat. LUCY – OH Hey
This new single is an early favorite to be my song of the summer with its arena-filling sound and the infectious beauty of the vocals. Moeka Shiotsuka (Hitsujibungaku) and Tawaniese/Chinese singer LÜCY wrote the lyrics combining English, Japanese, and Chinese which brought a wonderfully dynamic ethos of unity to the track. 
Sir Chloe – Company
Sir Chloe’s latest single “Company” takes me back to the smell of cigarettes and grimy bathrooms from any respectable 90’s rock venue. The track explodes with all the anxed and beauty of that decade with the authenticity of its own generation’s attitudinal confidence. As lead singer Dana Foote describes, “a song to flex your muscles to,”.
From Jenna D, host of Theme for a Tuesday
Harry Styles – Harry’s House
“Harry’s House reinforces Styles’ signature sensitivity in an authentic way and shows he’s more than earned his place as one of music’s most innovative artists. More importantly, he reminds us that he’s a pop star playing by his own rules—and he’s here for the long haul.” – Spin
Sharon Van Etten – We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong
“We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong is a raging bonfire, and although its scale is monumental, it boasts a revealing depth of field, every dramatic arc finely detailed… [Album] isn’t the sort of album to offer instructions on how we might make things right. But having faith in one another, and ourselves, Van Etten hints convincingly, might be a good set of foundations to build from.”   -Pitchfork”The combination of her voice, her ever-deepening talent as a songwriter and musical arrangements that are well thought out but not fussed over makes We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong a potent addition to Van Etten’s catalog.”   -Paste
The Black Keys – Dropout Boogie
“As the record swiftly spins through these production and melodic hooks, it gives the impression of a jukebox filled with a bunch of excavated gems, and that’s not a bad comfort zone for the Black Keys at all.” -AllMusic
From Asia Wagner, Music Director for Fresh Vibe

Isabeau Waia’u Walker – Body

This is the first solo project from Isabeau, a prolific musician and a vital member of the local group Y La Bamba. The record offers 12 beautiful songs exploring themes of love, identity, growth and transformation.

fanclubwallet – You Have Got to Be Kidding Me

Fanclubwallet is a project from Hannah Judge, Ottawa-based signer songwriter. “You Have Got to Be Kidding Me” is what we all have been saying for the past two year, isn’t it? The 12-track record is a collection of indie-alt/pop-rock songs exploring themes of personal trials as a young adult, softened by the clever wit.

 

From Jonny Polivka, host of Jonny’s Playlist

The Hugs – True to your Own Spirit 

“The Hugs are back with their 7th full-length studio album. 3 years in the making of recording and writing: “True To Your Own Spirit” w/ 13 new songs ranging in styles, genres and new sonic territory and soundscapes from The Hugs. An album w/ a clever nod to the British 90’s culture of bubblegum pop guitars and crafty yet witty lyrics. . .”TRUE TO YOUR OWN SPIRIT” is as diverse, unique and catchy as guitar pop gets these days” – The Hugs

 

Sunflower Bean – Headful of Sugar 

“The New York trio’s third album ‘Headful Of Sugar’ might have come to life during the uncertainty of the pandemic, but it’s far from a record full of trepidation. Instead, it embraces cheap thrills and fast pleasures, offering a liberating escape from the inhibition of ordinary times.” – the forty-five

Slang – Cockroach in a Ghost Town 

“Slang’s debut album is a force of nature that came, seemingly, out of nowhere. Lyricist/singer/guitarist Drew Grow and drummer/singer Janet Weiss started the band over a decade ago in Portland, OR—both having spent more than half their lives dedicated to making and performing music. Through the years, Weiss has played with everyone from her bands Quasi, Wild Flag, and Sleater-Kinney, to collaborators like Elliott Smith, Stephen Malkmus, and others. Grow has fronted his own groups Modern Kin and the Pastors’ Wives, producing other

bands along the way. Starting as a moonlighting collaboration, the meeting of this particular group was kismet if not totally cosmic.” – Kill Rock Stars

From Patrick Meigs, host of The Mixtape

Envy of None –Envy of None
This new self-titled record features Portland’s own Maiah Wynne on vocals. She has teamed up with Rush guitar player Alex Lifeson and others to create a beautiful record. The interplay between vocals and music make this a great record! The lyrics are beautiful and the overall vibe of the record makes it a must new listen.
John Craigie – Mermaid Salt 
Portland’s own John Craigie just released his latest record titled Mermaid Salt. If you have not heard John Craigie before this is a wonderful introduction to his music. If you are a fan, you will love this record. John Craigie writes beautiful lyrics and matches them with the perfect music.
Tamar Berk – Start at the End
Tamar Berk’s guitar playing is so dynamic and her lyrics perfectly match. This is her second full-length record. Her first record was great, and this one takes off right where that one left off. It is filled with excellent guitar riffs and toe-tapping backbeat. A must-have for the collection!
From Brooke Carlson, host of Petit Dejeuner Club
Toro y Moi – Mahal
Toro y Moi’s seventh studio album is a light, funky, musical delight. As he often does, frontman Chaz Bear pays homage to many different genres throughout the tracklist – with colors of psychedelic rock, electronic indie, and funk.
Pirogue – Pirogue
French summer holiday, anyone? With warmer weather slowly but surely on it’s way, French musical group Pirogue’s self-titled EP will definitely be on my summer chill playlist. Silky smooth, cinematic and sweet, this is a great example of dream-pop excellence; and you can get your french practice in, too!
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