New Release Round-Up 09-03-21

Slothrust - Parallel Timeline - Dangerbird
On Slothrust's latest album, bandleader Leah Wellbaum pushed herself to try and understand her own spirituality on a deeper level, putting a lens on the core wound of the human experience, the idea that we’re alone. With Parallel Timeline, Wellbaum explores the feeling of being trapped inside her own consciousness while simultaneously searching for a meaningful connection to the universe, and all the mysteries it contains.

  

Low - Hey What - Sub Pop
Focusing on their craft, staying out of the fray, and holding fast their faith to find new ways to express the discord and delight of being alive, to turn the duality of existence into hymns we can share, Low present HEY WHAT. These ten pieces—each built around their own instantaneous, undeniable hook—are turbocharged by the vivid textures that surround them. The ineable, familiar harmonies of Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker break through the chaos like a life raft. Layers of distorted sound accrete with each new verse - building, breaking, colossal then restrained, a solemn vow only whispered. There will be time to unravel and attribute meaning to the music and art of these times, but the creative moment looks FORWARD, with teeth. HEY WHAT is Low's thirteenth full-length release in twenty-seven years, and their third with producer BJ Burton.

  

Heartless Bastards - A Beautiful Life - Sweet Unknown Records
A Beautiful Life is the first new music from Heartless Bastards since 2015’s Restless Ones. The album was produced by Kevin Ratterman (Strand Of Oaks, Jim James, White Reaper). Album performers include Andrew Bird on “The River,” Greggory Clifford (White Denim) on drums, Jesse Chandler (Mercury Rev, Midlake) on keys, flute, clarinet; David Pulkingham (Patty Griffin) on guitar, Bo Koster (My Morning Jacket) on keys. The music is a melange of blues rock, rock and singer-songwriter which surround themes about self-love and awareness, mental health, the environment, and consumerism.

  

Elvis Costello - Spanish Model - UMe
Elvis Costello and award-winning producer, Sebastian Krys, have brought together a stunning international cast of some of the biggest Latin rock and pop artists from around the globe to interpret Elvis Costello and The Attractions' album, This Year's Model, entirely in Spanish. The inspired Spanish-language adaptations are set to the band's classic studio performances, culled from the original master recordings, which have been newly mixed by Krys. Available on black Vinyl.  Also available, This Year's Model, which has been newly remastered. Available on 180-gram black vinyl with the addition of "Big Tears" and "Radio Radio."

Dori Freeman - Ten Thousand Roses - Blue Hens Music
Dori Freeman's inimitable signature sound is in peak form on her fourth studio album, Ten Thousand Roses. Raised among a family of musicians in the Blue Ridge Mountains and hailed by Rolling Stone as “one of the most authentic vocalists to emerge from the hills of southwestern Virginia in recent years,” she’s a bonafide Appalachian artist, while simultaneously shattering the archetype by empowering the characters in her songs with personal strength and homegrown wisdom. 

  

Ray Charles - True Genius - Exceleration Music / Tangerine
Every Ray Charles album post-1960 is represented here, along with singles not available on any of his previously released albums. Most of these recordings will be available on major streaming services for the very first time in a decade or more. Released on Ray Charles own Tangerine Records and remastered from the original masters, you can now stream all of your favorite hits. The True Genius box set consists of 6 discs including a never before released live concert from Stockholm in 1972. A beautifully designed, coffee table style book includes rare, unseen photos and other Charles memorabilia. The liner notes were written by Quincy Jones, Valerie Ervin and A. Scott Galloway. This prestigious release and the campaign that surrounds it will create long awaited access to Ray’s music to generations of fans around the world as well as target new fans that will hear his music for the very first time.