Fresh Audio For Your Ears – Friday, July 1, 2016

Fuel your Fourth of July weekend with Fresh Audio For Your Ears. This week, we take a look at some friends from the 90s with new releases and solid new albums from new friends. While you’re enjoying your barbecues and independence, remember to connect with #TheHighNote on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram and Pinterest.

Here are the High Note Blog’s new releases for Friday, July 1, 2016:

Following up on the Boston band’s indie-rock and pop smash debut, “Oh What a Life,” American Authors released its sophomore album “What We Live For” Friday, July 1. The band brings back a lot of the same sound from its first album; including instruments such as piano, mandolin and banjo. As the title track demonstrates, the American Authors is still going strong with big harmonies that build throughout these song. At 12 tracks and nearly 45 minutes, the “What We Live For” sounds like a conscious effort by the band to recapture the success of its debut. For many, that is a recipe for failure, but American Authors have a consistency that will stick to your ribs all summer long. Get “What We Live For” from iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Spotify and Tidal.

English singer-songwriter Natasha Khan, who performs as Bat for Lashes, released her fourth studio album, “The Bride” Friday, July 1. The theatrical-sounding concept album thrusts listeners into a spacey tale about a woman whose fiancé is killed on the way to the church on their wedding day, so the takes the honeymoon trip alone. From the whimsical harpsichord opening on “I Do,” the album dives into the depth of the plot on “Joe’s Dream,” and gets intense by the time we reach “In God’s House.” To complete the album theme, Bat for Lashes toured at a series of churches and encouraged concertgoers to wear wedding attire. Get “The Bride” from Bat for Lashes, iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Spotify and Tidal.

A lot of things have happened to Blink-182 since I was a kid. They achieved national notoriety and then broke up in 2005. Then Travis Barker became a household name, then his plane crashed and the band reunited. Then Tom Delonge kinda quit the band and he was replaced by Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio. Now the band has returned to its 90s sound with its seventh album, “California,” released Friday, July 1. From the first single, “Bored To Death,” it sounds like Blink-182 is reenergized with its newest member and the attitude of “California.” See Blink-182 Friday, Aug. 12 at the BB&T Pavilion in Camden, New Jersey; Sunday, Aug. 14 at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey, Wednesday, Aug. 17 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York and Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5 on the beach in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Get “California” from Blink-182, iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Spotify and Tidal.

English singer-songwriter Blood Orange surprised the world by dropping his album latests album “Freetown Sound” on Monday, June 27 instead of Friday, July 1. Formerly known as Lightspeed Champion, Dev Hynes mixes funk, soul, electronic and indie rock sounds around provocative lyrics on 17 tracks. When he dropped the album, he also released the first video and single from the album, “Augustine,” which demonstrates how Blood Orange mashes his influences into an enjoyable package. See Blood Orange Saturday, July 23 at the Panorama Festival at Randall’s Island Park in New York City. Get “Freetown Sound” from iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Spotify and Tidal.

The Doggfather, Snoop Dogg is back with his 14th studio album, “Coolaid” released Friday, July 1 via digital download and featured a cast of characters including Wiz Khalifa, Swizz Beatz, Too $hort and Suga Free among others. Khalifa and Snoop team up for the first single, “Kush Ups” and features a lot of same style and subject matter the duo has produced in the past. Snoop’s signature slow, laid-back California flow is back and stronger than ever on “Coolaid” and spans for 20 tracks produced by Just Blaze, Swizz Beatz, Timbaland, Daz Dillinger and J Dilla among others. See Snoop Dogg on “The High Road” tour with Wiz Khalifa Tuesday, Aug. 2 at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey and Friday, Aug. 5 at the BB&T Pavilion in Camden, New Jersey. Get “Coolaid” from The SnooperMarket, iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and Tidal.

Bluegrass fiddle player Sara Watkins taps her singer-songwriter side on her third solo album, “Young In All The Wrong Ways,” released Friday, July 1. Watkins is no stranger to the stage – she previously performed in the bluegrass band Nickel Creek and toured with The Decemberists and Prairie Home Companion before releasing her solo debut produced by John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin in 2008. On “Young In All The Wrong Ways,” Watkins sounds confident and blends rock, pop and with a restless sound. On “One Last Time,” Jim James from My Morning Jacket joins in on harmonies and the title track puts Watkins’ voice front and center behind a heavy beat. See Sara Watkins Wednesday, Sept. 28 at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Get “Young In All The Wrong Ways” from New West Records, iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Spotify and Tidal.