September is shaping up to be quite a nice month for music releases, with several big-name indie releases that I’ve been waiting for, as well as some I hadn’t heard of before but kinda like based on hearing them on NPR’s First Listen and Stereogum. There are even more than this, these are just some that are filling up my Spotify lately.
What are you listening to these days, and what releases are you looking forward to?
Mates of State – Mountaintops
Mates of State have been one of my favorite bands for at least three or four albums now (I won’t claim to have been around for their first outings), and so far this one isn’t changing my mind. I haven’t had a chance to fully absorb all of it yet, but the first few songs for sure are winners.
Grouplove – Never Trust a Happy Song
I remember hearing Grouplove’s single “Colours” a while back when it was on their EP and liking it, but I forgot to follow up with them until a friend reminded me last week that their album was out. And then I spent two straight days listening to it.
Dum Dum Girls – Only in Dreams
This one isn’t out until the 27th, but it’s one of my most highly-anticipated albums of the year, not just the month. This LA girl group’s previous LP was on my Top Fifteen list last year, and their EP this spring was the top of the “music so far” list I made in June. So yeah. Can. Not. Wait.
Dum Dum Girls – Coming Down by subpop
Veronica Falls – Veronica Falls
I hadn’t heard much of this London-based band at all until the video below caught my eye (and ear) on Stereogum. I don’t know if the other songs on the album are quite as catchy as this one, but I’ve only listened through it once.
St. Vincent – Strange Mercy
A lot of my friends really love St. Vincent (aka Annie Clark); I haven’t really gotten into her that much. I mean, I like her stuff all right, but I don’t gravitate towards it. That said, I haven’t really listened much to this album yet. Maybe it’ll change my mind.
Neon Indian – Era Extraña
These guys were an NPR First Listen find, I have to admit. They’re not quite what I usually listen to, but I was hooked pretty quickly by “Hex Girlfriend” and “Polish Girl”. I expect I’ll be listening to them quite a bit more.
Hex Girlfriend by MGMTNeonIndian
Blondie – Panic of Girls
Blondie’s been making music for longer than I’ve been alive, and they show no signs of slowing down. This album isn’t on Spotify, but based on the songs and previews I’ve heard (I’m hoping to pick it up soon), sounds like it’s about half classic Blondie and half experimenting with different musical styles.
Charlotte Gainsbourg – Terrible Angels EP
A short EP mostly of live songs and remixes from her previous album IRM, but with a newly electronic sound on the title track. I like hearing whatever Gainsbourg comes up with next, and this isn’t her only release in sight – a full-length is on the way later this year.
Wild Flag – Wild Flag
This is a brand-new band, but its members are far from green. Lead singer/guitarist Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney fame (more recently of IFC’s Portlandia fame with comedy partner Fred Armison) is joined by former members of Sleater-Kinney, Helium, and The Minders to form Wild Flag. The sound is throwback to some extent; I’m giving this one more time before I decide what I think of it.
Wild Flag – Future Crimes by Music Meds
Twin Sister – In Heaven
Another one that isn’t out until the 27th; I’ve listened to some Twin Sister since their EP came out last year, and have been looking forward with interest to the new one. I quite like the sound.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – Hysterical
I’ve not been into earlier Clap Your Hands Say Yeah releases, but I quite enjoyed listening through this one on NPR’s First Listen last week. I’ll give it a few more rounds at least.
Yep, September is great for new music. I can’t wait for the new Bjork album personally. I’ve also ordered the new Opeth album if anyone else is into their ‘prog-metal’
Speaking of which Mastodon have a new one out soon which should be good.
Bring on November though – new Tom Waits!
I almost had Bjork on here, but I’m not really that big a fan, and I decided to keep it to bands I actually listen to. Even though the video for the first single is directed by Michel Gondry, which is cool. But otherwise I would’ve had to include everything and it would’ve gotten super-unwieldy. I’ve heard good things about the Opeth album, it’s just not my thing.
I love a bit of Bjork myself, I always find her music interesting. As for Opeth, I’ve been going through a heavy streak the last year or so and they satisfy that urge whilst still having enough melody and artistry to keep me from getting bored. They certainly aren’t for everyone though. Their latest sounds like a full on ‘prog-rock’ album with very few metal elements, which is fine by me.