It’s almost March! Without any further ado, let’s take a look at the recently released albums from last week and the ones coming out this Friday.
Blues
Cry No More / Danielle Nicole
Danielle Nicole is like if Bonnie Raitt gargled with gravel (in the best way) and then discovered an enormous affinity for Animals-esque riffs. That is to say, she’s a terrific vocalist and bassist whose music is some of the most authentic blues around. Just listen to “Cry No More” (above, the title track off her second album) and find out for yourself. This record was released February 23.
Pop
Nation of Two / Vance Joy
You may recognize Vance Joy from his 2014 hit single “Riptide” and “Saturday Sun” off Nation of Two is another romantic beach song. 10/10 would recommend this album for lovers of upbeat romantic beach songs. Nation of Two was made available to purchase on February 23.
Superorganism / Superorganism
Superorganism is an eight-member band that ranges in age from 17 to 32. As of right now, the 17-year-old Japanese-American lead singer Orono Noguchi lives in London with six other members of the band. They create strange, quirky pop by emailing each other music files from room to room. If you play FIFA 18, you might recognize “Something for Your M.I.N.D.,” otherwise check out “Everybody Wants to Be Famous” (above). Superorganism comes out Friday, March 2.
Alternative
All At Once / Screaming Females
Contrary to their name, the female lead singer of the band Screaming Females rarely screams, but I suppose that’s why they’re a band and not a marketing firm. Their latest album, All At Once, takes fans down a more punk-rock track than the band’s previous albums— particularly compared to 2015’s Rose Mountain. “Black Moon” (above) is just one of the hard-rocking tracks on All At Once, which came out Friday, February 23.
Historian / Lucy Dacus
“Addictions” (above) is a perfect intro to Lucy Dacus’s entire vibe on Historian, which is full of classic rock instrumentation, modern drum beats and intricate vocal melodies. I just discovered her last week and I’m totally obsessed, y’all. Historian comes out on March 2 and is not to be missed.
All Nerve / The Breeders
“GOOD MORNING!” screams Kim Deal on The Breeders’ first single from All Nerve, “Wait in the Car” (above). The former Pixies bassist’s four-piece band has returned to its original lineup at last, although a great deal more sober this time around. If you like grunge or yelling, you’ll love All Nerve. The album comes out March 2.
Rock
You’re Not Alone / Andrew W.K.
Andrew W.K. describes himself as the “King of Partying” and as a “prodigious piano-playing party prophet.” But hey, “Music Is Worth Living For” (above) from You’re Not Alone (out March 2) is an inspirational and triumphant stadium rock song that expresses a sentiment we’ve all felt before.
A Productive Cough / Titus Andronicus
“Above the Bodega (Local Business)” (above) is a rollicking rock tune by Titus Andronicus from their upcoming album A Productive Cough, out Friday, March 2. Its addictive Shoop sha-la-la / shoop shoop sha-la-la chorus evokes sixties and seventies folk-pop acts like Neil Diamond, and the focal lyric of the song, I can’t keep a secret from the guy at the store downstairs, is actually a thoughtful commentary on how money never lies. And it’s so catchy.
Folk
Whistle Down the Wind / Joan Baez
Not to be dramatic, but Joan Baez is a folk legend. She’s been singing since her debut at the 1959 Newport Folk Festival and helped introduce the world to Bob Dylan, with whom she would eventually go on tour as well as start a relationship. Baez is a proud Mexican-American and a huge international civil rights activist, and Whistle Down the Wind is her first album in 10 years. Listen to the title track above, and then run out to preorder the album, which is out March 2.
Dance/Electronic
Everything Was Beautiful, and Nothing Hurt / Moby
Ah, Moby. The dance music pioneer has always operated outside the norm, and “Mere Anarchy” (above) is no different in that aspect. He describes the music video as occurring in a post-apocalyptic world, and honestly, the song itself seems to be describing a barren wasteland where people struggle to survive outside the law. But I might be speculating…Everything Was Beautiful, and Nothing Hurt comes out March 2.