Looking for something new to listen to? Here are a few albums to help you fight off that January chill.
Geowulf, The Child
With a sound that immediately brings to mind Jenny Lewis and Rilo Kiley, this dream pop duo released their third studio album earlier this month. Tracks like “Memory Serves Like Lightning”, and “Beer To Bed (Time To Kill) are guaranteed to make you sway and swoon. I felt that “Unsay It All” with its spacey sounds grounded by a throbbing, persistent drum beat stood out amongst the others. The title track closes out the album with swelling synths reminiscent of Deep Corners (a band I love), and feels like a snow flurried gloomy gray afternoon (which I also love).
Franz Ferdinand, The Human Fear
If hearing the name Franz Ferdinand made you turn your head and reminisce, have I got good news for you. The band has been releasing some great music despite not reaching those same heights as their monumental self-titled debut twenty years ago. After touring a bit over the last few years, The Human Fear marks the first studio release in seven years. True to the signature Franz sound, songs like “Tell Me I Should Stay” and “Build It Up” sound like they could have been unreleased tracks from their earlier era. “The Doctor” is a fun two-minute bop and “The Birds” close out with noisy guitars and smoky swagger.
Willow Avalon, Southern Belle Raisin’ Hell
Not gonna lie, I picked this album to listen to based off the cover. From the title and what is seeming like a mugshot, it wasn’t hard to guess what was in store. My assumptions were right and even better, my exceptions were blown away. Sporting a faint trembling voice that teeters on a slight yodel, Avalon’s vocal performance adds a level of fragility that shine and send shivers to your ears. This album as well as Geowulf’s The Child both feature a song dedicated to the legendary Dolly Parton, to which Avalon’s compliments and relates to Dolly’s big heart as well as the musician’s other famous assets. Even if country is not your glass of whiskey, you might really dig this album. Check out “The Actor” and the title track, both kinda rip and show promise that Willow Avalon might be destined for some pretty large stages soon.
Yola, My Way EP
In what I feel is the first great release of this early year, Yola just put on a five-track masterclass. With commanding vocals and lush instrumentation, this will snatch you up and not let go. I first became enamored with Yola after her first album (2019’s Walk Through Fire) combined soulful vocals with psychedelic country to make an intoxicating and unforgettable sound. This EP is big and full, and it is a whole lot of fun. I feel like I can run through a wall after hearing ”Symphony”, and “My Way” has the chance of being the song I play most this year. An absolutely fantastic EP, and at under twenty minutes of listening time, it should be a must listen for everyone.
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