“Baggage from my ex with a one-sentence breakup text.” That’s the opening line from “Comedy 42,” New York indie duo Um, Jennifer?’s new song “Comedy 42.” That’s good writing, and it’s better when rendered as a jaunty, shambling take on ’60s pop music. Um, Jennifer? were a Band To Watch last year, when they released […]
Ms Ray – “Miss You” (Feat. Nourished By Time)
“Miss You,” the new collaboration from London vocalist Ms Ray and Baltimore phenom Nourished By Time, is a pure delight. The percussion glistens. Highlighter synths dart in the background. The ping-ponging beat provides some sort of neurological massage. But sadness lurks amongst the song’s brightness. “Oh, I miss You,” Ms Ray’s vocals float during the […]
Rustie – “Amentet”
The Scottish dance producer Rustie pioneered an overwhelming digital-maximalist style that paved the way for entire generations of hyperpop, but he’s been mostly absent for the past decade. After the release of his 2015 surprise album EVENIFUDONTBELIEVE, Rustie canceled all of his tour dates, citing addiction and mental health problems. Two years ago, he returned […]
Damon Albarn To Make SNL Debut With Gorillaz Next Month
Damon Albarn has graced many a stage as a member of both Blur and Gorillaz, but somehow, the Saturday Night Live stage has not been one of them. That’ll change on March 7, though, as Gorillaz will be SNL‘s musical guest that evening. The episode will also feature Ryan Gosling, his fourth time as host. […]
MJ Lenderman Debuts New Music At HeAthens Homecoming, Reveals If He’s Taller Than Cameron Winter
It feels like the promo campaign for Manning Fireworks never really ended, but the album dropped in the summer of 2024, which means we may be due for a new MJ Lenderman LP this year. Further supporting evidence for this theory: Lenderman debuted two new songs in concert Wednesday night. The Drive-By Truckers are hosting […]
Hater – “Stinger” & “Stung Again”
As a certified Hater lover, I’m happy to know their new album Mosquito is less than a month away. Lead single “This Guy?” was good, and “Angel Cupid” was even better. Now we get a pair of seemingly interrelated tracks to whet our appetites. Those songs are “Stinger” and “Stung Again.” Regarding the former, Caroline […]
Sturgill Simpson Teases New Johnny Blue Skies Album Mutiny After Midnight In Letter To Fans
Update Welcome to Sturgill SZN. Country-rock iconoclast Sturgill Simpson said 2021’s The Ballad Of Dood And Juanita would be his last, completing a promised five-album arc. But in 2024, he returned with Passage Du Desir, a brilliant new LP under the alias Johnny Blue Skies. He and his band then toured that album around the […]
James Blake – “I Had A Dream She Took My Hand”
Aww yeah baby, it’s James Blake! He’s back up in this motherfucker, and you better believe he is feeling wistfully romantic! You better stay out of this boy’s way, or he is going to croon angelically right in your fucking face! J Bee Wit The Remedy will release his new album Trying Times soon, and […]
Heavenly – “Scene Stealing”
Back in the ’90s, Oxford’s Heavenly were key players in the UK’s C86 twee-pop universe. They broke up after drummer Mathew Fletcher’s 1996 death, but they’ve returned in recent years, playing live shows and releasing new music. In a few weeks, they’ll unveil Highway To Heavenly, their first new album in 30 years. We’ve posted […]
Cardinal Turns 10
Run For Cover 2016 Pinegrove felt like the future — like my future, like our future. It wasn’t on the scale of the current Geese-mania, but a decade ago, a palpable excitement was building behind the Montclair, NJ group. Eventually, that momentum was derailed in a depressing, confusing fashion that complicated Pinegrove fandom for the […]