Anna Calvi – Hunter
Calvi's first new music since 2014’s collaborative release with David Byrne, Strange Weather EP, her third full album retains the power and depth of her previous work, with that intimate yet also huge, soaring voice, and a panoramic, cinematic sound. Highlights including Swimming Pool, inspired the 60s work of David Hockney, the title track, and Don't Beat the Girl Out of My Boy, part of a gender theme that runs through the album. Out on Domino Records.
Anna Calvi – Don't Beat The Girl Out Of My Boy
Idles – Joy As An Act of Resistance
Visceral, hilarious, angry, highly unpredictable, Idles follow up 2016's brilliant Brutalism debut with something that more than matches it. They are Sleaford Mods in full band form, former careworker and recovering alcoholic frontman Joe Talbot just one a group of massive personalities, making the most blistering and brilliant form of punk entertainment on any stage. This album bursts with scything comedy and seriousness on personal and political subjects from the slow-building dynamic power of Colossus – about guilt-tinged wastage, to Brexit values (Great), small town bullies (Never Fight a Man With a Perm) or the importance of immigrants in Britain (Danny Nedelko). A tour de force of anarchic joy. Out on Partisan Records.
Idles – Colossus
Tash Sultana – Flow State
The Melbourne artist is a considerable online success, and is certainly talented - the 23-year-old one-woman act plays multiple instruments, and her guitar work is especially strong - she started off as a busker before her big YouTube breakthrough. On this debut at times she sounds like Amy Winehouse, at other times a more generic R'n'B artist. There's all kinds of promise, but also no one particular direction or strong melody. One to watch to see if she finds a true voice. Out on Columbia Records.
Tash Sultana – Seed (Intro)
Big Red Machine – Big Red Machine
Further intriguing work generated through the interesting People plaform, this is a mesmeric lo-fi funk collaboration between Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon and The National’s Aaron Dessner, the culmination of 10 years of sending ideas and friendship. They are joined by guests including Phoebe Bridgers, Lisa Hannigan and Richard Reed Parry. Out on Jagjaguwar.
Big Red Machine – Lyla
Eminem – Kamikaze
Now 45, Marshall Mathers still has the spitting skills, and gets headlines, but is he still relevant in and era of Kendrick Lamar and younger innovators? His raging potshots at Trump and rappers with ghostwriters certainly have some bite, but this album lacks the musical breaks. His guest on this track, Joyner Lucas, certainly brings the edge.
Eminem - Lucky You
Terry – I'm Terry
Straight up Australian indie joy from the all-singing crossover collaboaration band of bass, guitars and drums quartet of Amy Hill (also of Constant Mongrel, School Of Radiant Living), Xanthe Waite (Mick Harvey Band, Primo), Zephyr Pavey (Eastlink, Total Control, Russell St Bombings) and Al Montfort (UV Race, Dick Diver, Total Control). Out on Upset The Rhythm.
Terry - Bureau
Wild Nothing – Indigo
Fourth album by Virginia's Jack Tatum is in full 80s indie pop mode and echoes the debut of 2010’s debut Gemini. Great for those you like that retro, floppy-haired dream-pop new romantic sound. Out on Captured Tracks.
Wild Nothing – Letting Go
This week's selection is by The Landlord.
New to comment? It is quick and easy. You just need to login to Disqus once. All is explained in About/FAQs ...
This is only a selection, not a catalogue of releases. Feel free to recommend more and comment below. You can also use the contact page, or on social media: Song Bar Twitter, Song Bar Facebook. Song Bar YouTube. Please subscribe, follow and share.