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Fresh Album Fridays: Sampha, Jane Remover, The Rolling Stones and more
Good morning ~ This is a thread to discuss new album releases that have arrived on our doorstep this week. Feel free to share albums and EPs that have caught your eye and interest.
Discussion Points
What are you looking forward to listen to?
Have you listened to any of these releases?
What are your thoughts?
What have you enjoyed from these artists in the past?
Why Friday?
Most (but not all) new LPs release on a Friday, as labels want to give the release a full week of sales before entering the charts.
~~ Feedback on the format welcome!
Sampha - Lahai
Single
Genre(s): Alternative R&B
Country: United Kingdom
Bandcamp
Spotify
RYM
I was unreasonably excited for Sampha, I absolutely loved his first outing and always wanted more. His tiny desk is awesome https://youtu.be/fnIu25lXXY8?feature=shared
His first album and the songs where he is a feature on, are all awesome.
But the latest album, which I haven’t fully gotten through, sounds like more of the same.
It’s like he disappeared for years and came back with the exact same music, it still sounds good because he was so ahead of his time and unique the first time he came out. But I’m a bit disappointed that I don’t feel artistic growth here, maybe it’s a blessing and curse that he sounds so unique that anything he does ultimately just sounds like him.
Edit: finished my listen through, its not good. 6/10.
Nothing on there hits as hard as Plastic 100c or Blood on me, or No one knows me like the piano (all from his 2017 album).
Best thing he’s done recently is “Samphas Plea” on the Stormzy album.
Notable remasters/re-releases (aka you feel old now, you're welcome)
Non-metal releases
Maria BC - Spike Field
album.link
Sparse/minimal indie pop - lush guitars and piano and wonderful vocal layering. Lots of space for everything to breathe in these songs. Concise lyrics too. Accomplishes a lot with a little, in every way.
Metal releases
Battlemaster - Greedgripped & Spellspoilt
album.link
RVA does it again. Thrashy black/death. Technically Dungeons & Dragons metal, but not what you expect when you hear that phrase.
Reckless - Sharp Magik Steel
album.link
Colombian speed metal, with the occasional shriek and gang vocal. If you like black/thrash but haven't gotten into speed metal- I think it's a great adjacent genre to try.
Cirith Ungol - Dark Parade
album.link
Absolute giants of classic heavy metal, active since the late 70s, and one of the few groups of older musicians that haven't really ruined their music in their later years. Vocals might be an acquired taste for some but it really fits well, in my opinion- still plenty of fire and edge. Fun solos and songwriting too.
Diabolic Night - Beneath The Crimson Prophecy
album.link
Including this because I enjoyed the previous record and really enjoy what I hear song-wise on this new one- but I think the production of this album is its biggest flaw and definitely impacts it pretty significantly. It sounds weak and thin, with vocals way too loud in the mix. It almost feels like they forgot to master everything except vocals, or the other way around. Maybe I'll acquire the taste but it is jarring to me.
Addenda
Soft Vein - Pressed in Glass
BC
Heavily reverb-soaked darkwave
Jane Remover - Census Designated
Single
Genre(s): Shoegaze, Post-Rock
Country: United States
Bandcamp
Spotify
RYM
The Rolling Stones - Hackney Diamonds
Single
Genre(s): Blues Rock
Country: United Kingdom
Spotify
RYM
Country:
United StatesUnited KingdomGood catch! How could I do that to the Stones.
This album kicks way more ass than it has any right to. Can't believe how well the Stones have, for decades, avoided sounding too clean and slickly-produced while almost every other contemporary band has fallen into the trap.
I'm not a massive stones fan but I can't believe they released a new album and that I didn't see anything about it. Gonna give this a spin and see what it's like.
Forest Swords - Bolted
Single
Genre(s): Electronic, Post-Industrial
Country: United Kingdom
Bandcamp
Spotify
RYM
Artist:
Sarah Klang
Album:
Mercedes
Release: 20th October 2023
Genre: Indie Pop
Country: Sweden
Links: Wikipedia | Spotify
Music videos that can be found via Tildes:
Grupo Frontera - El Comienzo
album.link
Their most popular song "un x100to" was in my songs you might like playlist and even though I don't speak spanish, the song was great. Since then I had listened to a few of their other songs and became a fan. Their new album just released and I have already listened to it a few times and definitely enjoy it