Fresh Tracks: 9/16/23
New music from James Blake, Close Talker, Nation of Language + 6 more
I know you just let me out the door, but I want back in, and I have nine treats to share if you acquiesce my request.
This week, we dance, we rock, we groove, and then, we sink into an ambient soundbath. The water’s even warm enough for me, and I’m a cat!
James Blake, “Tell Me”
Why do I like James Blake so much? There are a few reasons. From the beginning, he’s put his own spin on IDM, subtly playing with sound, mood, and texture while deftly shifting his approach to composition along the spectrum between purist songwriting and dancefloor jams.
While he toggles across that entire line in his new album, Playing Robots Into Heaven, “Tell Me” lands as far into the latter category as Blake tends to venture in his own music. Once it hits its stride, the track drops you right in the middle of a lazer-show crowd. No use in fighting that urge: get those feet moving!
Close Talker, “Papier-mâché”
It’s been a bit since we heard from Saskatoon’s alt-rock band Close Talker. Things basically went quiet after 2019’s How Do We Stay Here? But all that changed last Friday when they surprised us with “Papier-mâché.”
The song picks up where the band left off, leading with rhythm and groove like a shy version of Spoon. Just like the Texas indie institution, the band shows their strength in restraint—what they don’t do—in the song. It has my head up for what will come next.
Helena Deland, “Bright Green Vibrant Grey”
Helena Deland showed up on my radar at the beginning of the pandemic with 2020’s Someone New. The Montreal-based songwriter has kept her chops sharp since then, collaborating with electronic producer Ouri for 2021’s suprising Hildegard, jumping on a track with Claire Rousay (another IDM composer), and this year, releasing two singles: May’s “Spring Bug” and this month’s “Bright Green Vibrant Grey.”
WTF is “vibrant grey”? I don’t know either, but frankly, I don’t care. The song is too beautiful to argue with it. Deland strips all the experimental bells and whistles to showcase her near-perfect voice. It’ll make you want to go lie in the grass.
GUM, “Race to the Air”
Australian musician Jay Watsom (aka. GUM) shares his time with compatriots Pond and Tame Impala, and based on this track, the connection is clear. In fact, at least in “Race to the Air,” Watsom applies the late-Beatles/Supertramp references more directly than his friends.
Gone are Kevin Parker’s Coachella vibes. Instead, Watsom draws attention to the organ and atmosphere in a way that’s more of a nod to The Verve than late-’70s disco. As for the drums, this is all I have to say: finally, people are paying attention to Ringo Starr.
Kirsten Ludwig, “Less”
Calgary folk artist Kirsten Ludwig is going pop with her upcoming album Sunbeam—in the best way possible. The singer holds onto the subtleties in her voice in the first single, “Less,” but places it over synths and a driving beat rather than the plucked acoustic and mellow vibes of her last few releases.
It works. And it places her among the country’s other indie-pop stalwarts like Stars’ Amy Millan and Metric’s Emily Haines. Excited to see where this new direction takes her.
Hotline TNT, “I Thought You’d Changed”
Hotline TNT’s stoned punk makes me think of the bands I loved at the beginning of last decade like No Age, Surfer Blood, and Vancouver band WEED. They’re loud—crunchy—but they’ve also got a way with melody makes them easy to enjoy. It’s punk for summer days.
The band’s new song, “I Thought You’d Changed,” is the second single of the year, and it’s a perfect example of their blown-out sound. I don’t know about you, but it’s got me excited to hear more.
Deeper, “Fame”
Found via fellow Substack suggester
, Chicago post-punkers Deeper are an unadorned example of the subgenre’s current sound: sharp, atonal guitars, precise rhythm sections, and vocals that wander between concerned yelling and sombre croon. Sometimes, you need music that empathizes with your moody mood. And when you do, Deeper is here for you.According to Terry, the band’s new album Careful! is their debut on legendary record label Sub Pop. A limited knowledge of the label’s history, paired with a quick scan through the record’s 13 tracks, and you’ll find the partnership pretty easy to understand. Deeper fits right in with the Seattle company’s current and past catalogue of underground rock, whether we’re talking early signees like U-men or present-day groups like Porridge Radio and TV Priest.
And then that sax comes in.
Nation of Language, “Sole Obsession”
If Deeper didn’t give you the ‘80s vibe you were looking for, try this one on for size. Nation of Language embrace the sounds of influences like Depeche Mode and Flock of Seagulls without shame. It works because they apply the references well, dropping the hairdos while holding onto the strong synth use and well-honed song structures.
“Sole Obsession,” the second track on their new album Strange Disciple, displays this beautifully, layering tight hi-hats and a killer bass line over a pulse-keeping synth and the irresistable croon of singer Richard Devaney. You could slip it onto the soundtrack of Donnie Darko and I wouldn’t notice.
Sarah Davachi, “A Woman Escapes Cue 4”
I’ve been looking for an excuse to post about Alberta-born composer Sarah Davachi for awhile, and this week, I got it.
Sarah’s a serious musician, with a Bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the U of C and a master’s in electronic music from Mills College in Oakland, California. Normally, that means a level of experiment that keeps her music out of reach for most listeners, but every now and then—as with “A Woman Escapes Cue 4”—her music is too beautiful to be cast off as “academic.” Turn up this ambient wonder and let your troubles wash away.
What you got?
Anything reach your ears recently that you think the rest of should hear? Leave a link and description in the comments.
Some great new music on here! Helena Deland made it into my top 50 albums of 2020; great to hear some new music from her.
Speaking of 2020, Nation of Language had my number one album that year and I’m enjoying their new release, if not as much (yet) as On Division Street.
Listening to the Deeper album now and REALLY liking what I’m hearing!!
I’m also enjoying Dengue Fever’s new release: https://spotify.link/7dJXx0Pz9Cb
But the biggest surprise is Corinne Bailey Rae’s latest Black Rainbows. I honestly haven’t heard anything from her since 2006’s Put Your Records On so wasn’t expecting what I heard on Exhale, the third track from the new album: https://spotify.link/OwrFmq2z9Cb
Still digesting the record but really liking what I’m hearing.