New Year, New Albums To Listen To…
Friday. Music Day. Loads of new music today. And a playlist. As always. But this is the 100th Playlist. 100 Weeks of SOUNDS GOOD on Substack!
I’m still catching up on music from 50 years ago, let alone last year. Just last week, I sat listening to Popol Vuh like it was the newest thing in the world, the albums that were captivating me were all recorded between 1971 and 1978.
But I’m also up at midnight on Thursday/Friday waiting to see what brand new album is going to drop. Most weeks I wait up to find out what’s new, or to click and listen to something I’ve read about in advance, am anticipating.
There’s just so much though. So you give it one listen and sometimes it’s weeks, months even, before you remember to return to it.
So, here’s a short list of the new/ish records (from mid last year through to just today) that are occupying head space for me when I’m able.
The great thing now is I just link you the whole album. You don’t need my review. In some cases I’ve only listened to these albums once. But a list of preferences, and ideas from me to you. Feel free to add your own at the end. That’s how we share.
In no particular order, beyond how I’m remembering them here’s a few new things I’ve been loving lately.
John Cale, MERCY
The ex-Velvet Underground legend is 80, nearly 81, and this is his first set of new songs in over a decade, his first new release since 2016. And on one listen, I’m hooked. Though I’ve loved almost everything he’s done. So I might not be the one to give you the safest commentary on this. His voice sounds sublime, and there’s a list of cool collaborators (Laurel Halo, Weyes Blood, Fat White Family, Animal Collective). This is going to be my long-weekend escape music. I plan on listening to it on a loop.
Billy Nomates, CACTI
One of my favourite discoveries of the last couple of years is Billy Nomates. Poet, spoken-word performer, rapper, writer, musician, producer – she is/and does everything! And I love it all. She’s funny, pissed off, righteous and correct. The songs are hooky-as-fuck and there’s a sparkling energy to it that has a post-punk groove sitting always just beneath and just right. So, hell yeah, I’m loving this brand new release already.
Jo Meares, A Handful of Smoke
I was hipped to this Australian singer/songwriter in the very best way: A mate kindly gave me one of his LPs and just told me to listen. I did. And I still am! Jo Meares has a dark whisper of a voice. He is like an introverted, quiet Paul Kelly. The writing is profound, the production and delivery exquisite. He might be the Aussie Bill Callahan in fact.
Kali Malone, Living Torch
Surely you know I love the ambient! So this two-track sound collage by artist Kali Malone has been living with me for a few months already. In fact, in the middle of last year I listened to it non-stop for a whole week (literally nothing else). It was the pink noise that followed me, that soundtracked my waking moves (and helped guide me to sleep). I’m back listening to this again now, and Kali Malone has just an even bigger, bolder project. Last night I crashed out with the brand new album (linked above), Does Spring Hide Its Joy, filling my ears. This one is Kali Malone in collaboration with Lucy Raiton and Stephen O’Malley and is five hours of ambient bliss. So I’ve got a lot more Malone for my ears now. Lovely.
Iggy Pop, EVERY LOSER
I always like the idea of Iggy Pop even if the execution is sometimes a little lacking. For such a legend he doesn’t really have many truly great albums. But he survives. And for that alone we must be grateful. So I’m always ready to tune in and hear him offering a cameo or collaborating or reviving the Stooges or dropping a bunch of new songs as a solo artist. This short, sharp album is fun. Instantly. And feels like it has some grit. I’m hoping for some magic to announce itself on second, third, fourth and fifth listens.
Svaneborg Kardyb, Over Tage
This album arrived right at the end of 2022 and was my most listened to record across the summer holiday. It’s the third album by Danish duo, Svaneborg Kardyb, that being the surnames of the two bandmembers – Nicolaj Svaneborg is on keys (Wurlitzer, Juno and electric piano) and Jonas Kardyb is the drummer/percussionist. It’s basically a type of ambient jazz that scatters the Scandinavian folk/jazz influences over a through-composed line of ethereal calmness. I haven’t been this excited about new instrumental groove/chill music since I discovered The Album Leaf back in 2004. Most of you didn’t know me then, but it was a lot! A very big deal indeed.
Margo Price, Stays
Margo Price Slays! Been a fan since her 2016 debut. She’s knocked it out of the park with every album. And if you want a simple tagline that should sell the deal, or let her know if she’s for you, picture a Country Stevie Nicks. There’s bits of Dolly and Loretta (R.I.P.) to her sound. Likely heroes. But the writing is all Price always. She’s a great songwriter. And a hell of a singer/performer. And this one arrives right in step with her brand new memoir. Which I can’t wait to read! Oh, and this album features a duet with Sharon Van Etten. Another selling point.
Dave Rowntree, Radio Songs
Dave Rowntree was the drummer in Blur. He’s gone on to make a few soundtrack albums for TV/film (always a big tick in my book). He’s done all sorts of other things, but this is his debut album of songs; his first as a solo artist. It is brand new, and I’m yet to hear it the whole way through. But I love what I’ve heard. And I’ll be spending time with this A.S.A.F.P. So far I get hints of Damon Albarn’s enduring influence and a nice Robert Wyatt vibe. So I’m totally sold.
John Williams, The Fabelmans (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
I’m still listening to soundtracks – a lot. But haven’t found many brand new ones of late. This has been my most played recent score. I’ve yet to see the film (and maybe I won’t rush, the trailer had me excited to see it but early reviews from friends tell me it's a bit dull). I’m working through Williams’ vast catalogue so it was nice for a brand new score to arrive – the timing exquisite. The piano playing and arrangements here also exquisite. He really is the master. Morricone’s only peer. And this is just lovely music.
Jimi Hendrix, Los Angeles Forum, April 26, 1969 (Live)
It is ridiculous how many Hendrix bootlegs and unofficial releases there are. And then it became almost as ridiculous how many Official Releases there were. When I was a teenager I lived and breathed Hendrix. Then, after a while, he was just there on classic rock radio and a staple of covers bands ruining his vibe. But in recent years I’ve been able to go back, helped by a handful of newly unearthed, polished gems. This is the latest. And I’m into. It’s all at once everything you ever knew and loved about Hendrix and a brand new revelation. How mind blowing to hear music over 50 years old still sounding like it can knock you right out today.
So, that’ll do for today.
It's a long weekend in Wellington, where I live. So I’ll be listening to these albums, and a few others. And I’m keen to know what new music you’ve discovered at 2023’s early doors. Or what albums from last year you’ve continued to blast, or just caught up with?
And we’ve made it to Volume 100 of the weekly playing, A Little Something For The Weekend…Sounds Good! Volume 100!
That’s 100 weeks of this Substack newsletter. And 100 playlists, one for the end of each week.
There might be something brand new to you on this week’s playlist if nothing in the newsletter above is of any interest. That’s always the aim of the playlist – some music old and new that I like. And you might too.
Happy weekend.
