New Release Round-Up 05-22-20

Steve Earle & The Dukes - Ghosts of West Virginia - New West Records
Ghosts of West Virginia centers on the Upper Big Branch coal mine explosion that killed twenty-nine men in that state in 2010, making it one of the worst mining disasters in American history. In ten deftly drawn sonic portraits, Steve Earle and his band The Dukes explore the historical role of coal in rural communities. More than merely a question of jobs and income, mining has provided a sense of unity and meaning, patriotic pride and purpose.

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The 1975 - Notes On A Conditional Form - Interscope Records
Notes On A Conditional Form is The 1975's highly anticipated fourth studio album. Available this week (LP coming 6/12), the 22-track epic includes hit singles "People" and "Me & You Together Song". The band worked to use as little plastic as possible in the manufacturing of the product. 

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Chunky Shrapnel - ATO Records
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard release Chunky Shrapnel, a new music documentary film and accompanying double-LP live album. The new album features 13 live performances hand-picked from the band’s 2019 UK and European tour, and includes three new musical scores written by Stu Mackenzie that add a magical touch of an alien melancholy throughout the record. Chunky Shrapnel is an experience geared towards not only recreating the energy of a live concert, but creating something tailored and unique to the King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard.

The Teskey Brothers - Live At The Forum - Glassnote
Following up the Grammy nominated album "Run Home Slow", Australian soul band The Teskey Brothers are back with their new live album "Live At The Forum". The album was recorded on tape during their two day residency at the iconic Forum Melbourne in Australia this past November. Opaque Blue Vinyl.

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Blake Mills - Mutable Set - Verve
Los Angeles-based guitarist, composer, and producer Blake Mills releases his new album Mutable Set. Much of the material was co-written with acclaimed singer-songwriter Cass McCombs, and this is Mills' first album of solo music with lyrics since 2014's "Heigh Ho" and second release under New Deal Records / Verve Label Group.

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UPCOMING RELEASES

Jaime Wyatt - Neon Cross - New West Records
If there’s one lesson to be gleaned from Jaime Wyatt's latest album, Neon Cross, it’s that life goes on. And through it all—good times and bad, dreaming and desperation, there is truth. When it came to capturing that truth on tape, Wyatt had some assistance from Shooter Jennings, who produced Neon Cross. Together, she and Jennings boldly color outside the country lines, taking a wide-lens sonic and stylistic approach to the songs on Neon Cross.

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Kip Moore - Wild World - MCA Nashville
Multi-PLATINUM singer/songwriter Kip Moore’s highly anticipated fourth studio album Wild World will be available May 29. Co-writing 12 of the album’s 13 insightful tracks, he navigates the search to find a place and purpose. Throughout the album, that search is revealed in deeply personal terms, with Kip even co-producing the set. The weathered heartland-rock sound Moore has embraced gets its emotional volume pumped up, recorded live with a full band. CD includes a free poster offer, valid thru 12/31/20.

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The White Buffalo - On The Widow's Walk - Spinefarm
The White Buffalo is Jake Smith: singer, song-writer, guitarist, teller of stories; an artist whose voice – an emotive timber-shakin’ baritone – seems directly linked to a greater truth; an artist who will not be swayed by fashion or restricted by genre.  And now, The White Buffalo releases the new studio album, ‘On The Widow's Walk’ – an 11 song, loosely linked collection of dark thrills produced by Shooter Jennings, who also plays piano and keys.

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Christian Lee Hutson - Beginners - Anti
The buzz around Christian Lee Hutson started in earnest in 2018 after he began his collaborative friendship with singer Phoebe Bridgers. Hutson co-wrote songs with Bridgers for both the EP of supergroup boygenius (ft. Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus) and her 2019 release with Conor Oberst, Better Oblivion Community Center. The emerging folk artist received further critical attention after Bridgers invited him to Eaux Claires Festival last July, where he performed a solo set and earned praise from festival host Bon Iver. Eventually, Bridgers asked if she could produce an album for him. Engineered and mixed by Joseph Lorge (Blake Mills, Perfume Genius), the forthcoming release also features contributions from Bright Eyes pianist Nathaniel Walcott. To merely call Christian Lee Hutson an old soul would be to deny the vibrancy of his sound. Hutson writes songs that the SF Bay Guardian describes as, "... Foreboding, bluesy love ballads laden with longing nostalgia." For Fans of Phoebe Bridgers, Elliott Smith and Bright Eyes.

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Rush - Permanent Waves: 40th Anniversary - Mercury
Celebrating 40 years of Rush's Permanent Waves, deemed the poignant moment the band reinvented themselves and their sound. The 3LP Deluxe Edition features original vinyl packaging with a newly designed gatefold jacket for the two discs of live bonus tracks (from the 1980 World Tour). With a 20-page booklet of reimagined artwork by original designer Hugh Syme & unreleased band archive photos. Housed in a slipcase. Features hits like "The Spirit Of Radio" and the cinematic "Jacob's Ladder". Also Available 2CD, Super Deluxe Box Set.

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For more information on these and other releases out this week, check out our New Releases charts by week section.

New Release Round-Up 05-15-20

Sleaford Mods - All That Glue - Rough Trade
Sleaford Mods are set to continue their onslaught into 2020 with the release of All That Glue, a collection of songs spanning the last seven years of the bands career; an array of crowd pleasers, B sides, unheard tracks and rarities for fans and the curious, released via Rough Trade.

Moby - All Visible Objects - Mute U.S.
The 17th studio album by iconic electronica musician Moby. Includes the single "Power is Taken", featuring Dead Kennedys drummer D. H. Peligro and rapper Boogie.

Jess Williamson - Sorceress - Mexican Summer
Offering a deep-hued kaleidoscope of dusty ‘70s cinema, ‘90s country music and breezy West Coast psychedelia, Jess Williamson’s ‘Sorceress’ weaves a woman’s wild love letters to a confusing present and uncertain future—with reflections on femininity and the pursuit of perfection, New Age beliefs and practices, critiques of capitalism and social media and more. An album about loss of innocence and acquired wisdom that’s self-critical, self-assured and soul-searching.

Chatham County Line - Strange Fascination (First Edition) - Yep Roc
North Carolina's cherished Americana band is back with a new look and feel! Chatham County Line's 12th studio album, Strange Fascination features newly added drums and modern effects that drive a revamped sound. From the dreamy shuffle of 'Oh Me Oh My' to the bold acceptance of 'Leave this World,' the group demonstrates their sharp self-awareness with a good dose of humor. A beautifully crafted album, Strange Fascination highlights the band's exceptional songcraft and musicianship, as well as their continual innovation.

Thao & The Get Down Stay Down - Temple - Domino
Thao & The Get Down Stay Down, the San Francisco-based band fronted by singer and songwriter Thao Nguyen, release their fifth studio album Temple. The album is among Thao's most open and honest work yet, finding her coming out in her public life after a long career in which she kept her queer identity quiet in an effort to avoid turmoil with and alienation from a family and culture she deeply loves. Temple follows Thao & the Get Down Stay Down's 2016 album A Man Alive which was released to widespread critical praise. NPR Music called it a 'brilliant, jarring new album'[Nguyen's] most rewarding work yet,' while Pitchfork raved that it is 'Nguyen's most rhythmically robust, gleefully discordant release to date' and Stereogum called it 'explosive and melodically dense.' Over the past year Thao served as guest host of the acclaimed podcast Song Exploder.

Jamie xx - Idontknow [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition 12in Single] - Young Turks
Following 2015’s In Colour and global touring with The xx, Idontknow is Jamie’s return to the club. It lived through late 2019 - everywhere from Jamie’s own low-key parties In London and LA to OIL Club in Shenzhen, Caribou’s BBC Essential Mix to Ben UFO on The Lot. Now in uncertain times, it remains a release of energy - to move to, let loose to and to look forward to parties again.

Sealed LP with bent corners and ring wear.

A NOTE ABOUT RECORD STORE DAY 2020

Due to the current circumstances RSD 2020 has once again had to adapt and here is the latest information from Record Store Day:

Since 2008, Record Store Day has grown into the world’s largest single-day music event, shining a light on the culture of the indie record store across the globe. In 2020, that world is different, so Record Store Day will be too. RSD is now scheduled to be celebrated with special, properly distanced release dates on Saturdays in August, September and October.

Record Store Day will look very different this year, but supporting indie record stores may be more important than ever. We don't know what sort of rules will be in place, or what sort of gatherings people will be in the mood for this year, so we're focusing on the music and getting the really great titles on the RSD Official List this year into the stores and into your hands, in the most financially and socially responsible way.

The titles on the RSD 2020 Official List, launched on March 5th, will be released at participating record stores on one of these three RSD Drops: August 29th, September 26th, and October 24th.   The new version of The List, with newly assigned RSD Drops dates will launch on June 1 so check back here for a look at when you'll be able to pick up the titles on your RSD 2020 wishlist at your local record store.