The Friday Refrain: What's New In Music
I’m back! It’s been a busy year, and trying to recap last year proved to be too much for parts of my brain that wants things to be perfect and complete… So here we are. Well into 2019 and I have been listening, just not posting. That’s changing this week. Let’s dive in!
New Music
It is a great day for my ears - soon-to-be pop star Lizzo (she better be a star soon at least) released Cuz I Love You. Indie Rockers Cage The Elephant released Social Cues. Singer-Songwriter Jonatha Brooke is back with the ep Imposter. One of my favorite benefits from listening to so much music, was learning who Angelique Kidjo is and becoming an instant fan - and today she has a new album, Celia. So those are my top 4 to listens today. Honestly, within ten minutes of awake time, I started playing Lizzo. Anyway, also out today, rapper Tech N9ne with N9na. Indie songwriter Jade Bird with her eponymous album containing last summer’s single, “Uh Huh.” recently reunited Bananarama released their first album in 10 years, In Stereo. Psychedelic band Wand are back with Laughing Matter. On the poppier side of indie rock, The Tallest Man On Earth released I Love You. It’s A Fever Dream. and duo Johnnyswim with Moonlight. Rounding out today, Rolling Stones have another best of compilation in Honk and musician extraodinaire Wynton Marsalis did the soundtrack for Bolden.
Should I Bother?
Johnnyswim - it’s light and easy listening with a nice vibe. Good for this warming season and patio weather. Maybe even as the soundtrack to your summer fling.
Lizzo - I would say the only reason not to listen to this is if you don’t like strong language. Otherwise this album spans genres and shows off all of Lizzo’s talent.
Cage The Elephant - did you like their first album? Listen to the first half. Do you like their other stuff? Find the single and ride out the album from there.
Jade Bird - I like her grit and her softer songs. Caroline Rose and Courtney Barnett fans will find something to like here, plus a little Neko Case.
And that’s what I was able to listen to. It’s a busy weekend for me and I’ve been fine tuning an arrangement of selections from Schubert’s Mass No. 2 in G minor. Which is fun but my fingers are not happy I keep rewriting their script. Anyway - there’s the Refrain back and bopping! Happy Listening!