ELECTRONIC
Gold Panda – Good Luck and Do Your Best
Reminiscence of the Sublime
Gold Panda had a minor hit with his 2010 single “You,” a crunchy, colorful slice of bouncy sample-based electronica. His third album, inspired by trips to Japan, is more thoughtful, observant and nostalgic; “In My Car”’s multi-part vocal harmonies and loping beat invite comparisons to early Flying Lotus, while “Time Eater” layers dulcimer over syncopated bass.
by Party Ben
GARAGE PUNK
Curator’s Pick: Angry Angles – Angry Angles
Here’s a window into the world of one of Memphis’ most prolific songwriters of the last 20 years.
The latest reissue from Goner Records boasts almost all of the recorded material from late garage punk master Jay Reatard’s most underrated bands, spanning their short but productive career that included a handful of singles and a couple of unissued live recordings.
HIP HOP
T.I. – Dope (feat. Marsha Ambrosius) (Single)
Tip teams up with Dr. Dre to return to a popular club sound on Dope.
Aaliyah
samples blend with Marsha Ambrosius hooks for a sensuous step into an LA/ATL blend of laid-back funk. The combination of super producer, songstress and trap rapper gets us ready for summer.
by J Boogie
ALTERNATIVE
Thrice – To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere
Thrice returns from hiatus.
In 2015, Thrice frontman Dustin Kensrue and guitarist Teppei Teranishi were inspired to reform the band and write new material. To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere is an interesting amalgamation of old and new Thrice. Lyrically, Kensrue is as ferocious as ever. Musically, this album is 18 years confident in their post-hardcore sound.
by Mat Bates
COUNTRY
Finding the Layers
Introducing Black with lighthearted “Somewhere on a Beach,” seemed like a perfect summertime release. But Bentley was not about to let the depth of this project go unnoticed, simultaneously launching a haunting four-part video series featuring the more serious tracks. Highlights include genre bending, “Mardi Gras” featuring Trombone Shorty and “I’ll Be the Moon” with Maren Morris.
AMERICANA
Finishing Unfinished Business
Though Mudcrutch formed long before Tom Petty achieved solo fame, they still sound like a band. Petty’s songs are great, but check out drummer Randall Marsh’s twangy power-pop gem “Beautiful World” or guitarist Tom Leadon’s country rocker “The Other Side of the Mountain.” Petty’s Notorious Byrd Brothers worship abounds in the twangy jangle of “Save Your Water.”
by Eric Shea
COMEDY
Michael Ian Black – Noted Expert
Black is back with a smirk, a wink and a new day job.
Michael Ian Black, famous comedian, front-loads his latest special with nods to his appearance in Wet Hot American Summer and his more-famous colleagues Jim Gaffigan and Louis CK. But behind his sarcastic Hollywood posturing lies a goldmine of hysterically lyrical, tightly constructed jokes. Well worth a listen.
METAL / PUNK
Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em!
Running Out Of Red is the sound of young punks worshipping at the altar of classic thrash metal, getting high, getting laid, tooling around on motorcycles and rocking the f**k out! It’s skaterock meets heavy metal parking lot: a knuckle dragging Neanderthal metalpunk that’s loose and ramshackle and as skatable as it is headbangable!
DANCEHALL
Vybz Kartel – One Phone Call (Single)
Hotline Ting
“Dancehall King” is on the horizon and while reggae fans await Addi’s first full length since Kingston Story, Kartel blesses the massive with “One Phone Call” – the latest telephone love anthem. The Rvssian produced Crown Love Riddim has gliding synths and early ‘90s drum programming to compliment Kartel’s sexy reminder that he’s only a speed dial away.
SHOEGAZE / GLOOM ROCK
Indie Sub of the Week: Pink Frost – Traitors EP
(Not so) Pretty in pink.
This retro blast of spaced out, psychedelic noise pop grounds its hook-heavy crunch in the grimy gloom and repetitive mesmer of the Jesus And Mary Chain, Spacemen 3 and other dope-driven drone rockers. It’s a collision of art rock, goth-psych and metallic grunge equal parts Jane’s Addiction, The Stooges, Medicine, Smashing Pumpkins and Wooden Shjips.