With Cinco De Mayo still ringing in our ears, the High Note Blog celebrates the sounds of new music Friday with fresh releases for May 6, 2016.
- Canadian punk rock band White Lung blends punk and pop on its fourth album “Paradise” [Jump to]
- Ambient sound artist Julianna Barwick loops her voice and instruments to create textured layers of sound on “Will” [Jump to]
- Singer-songwriter Anohni taps the public debate for inspiration on her latest album “Hopelessness” [Jump to]
- Southern rock band Seratones draws from influences of soul and blues on its debut album “Get Gone” [Jump to]
- Saskatchewan second cousins Kacy & Clayton makes Appalachian folk sound so sweet on “Strange Country” [Jump to]
- Singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter pulls listeners in close on her 14th album “The Things That We Are Made Of” [Jump to]
- Gregory Porter makes cool sound easy with notes of jazz, gospel and soul on his fourth album “Take Me To The Alley” [Jump to]
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White Lung – “Paradise”
Vancouver, Canada-based punk rock band White Lung released its fourth album “Paradise” Friday, May 6. Blending pop sounds and smart songwriting, the band brings the punk sound that I enjoyed 15 years ago into the 21st century. White Lung traveled from the great white north to record in Los Angeles with producer Lars Stalfors. Comprised of vocalist Mish Barber-Way, guitarist Kenneth William and drummer Anne-Marie Vassiliou, White Lung’s chemistry is evident on the 10 tracks on “Paradise.” A song like “Hungry” displays how well the band’s songwriting and talent meld while “Kiss Me While I Bleed” plays to the band’s hardcore roots. See White Lung Monday, Aug. 1 at Boot & Saddle in Philadelphia, Pa. Get “Paradise from Domino Records, iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, Tidal and Spotify.
Julianna Barwick – “Will”
Ambient music songwriter and artist Julianna Barwick released her fifth album, “Will,” Friday, May 6. Comprised of loops and voice layers, Barwick’s music sounds very spiritual. The light instrumental backgrounds as well as layered vocal harmonies create a whimsical feeling that, when backed by a piano and cello, sound as though they could be pieces of a movie score. The Brooklyn-based artist recorded this album with percussionist Jamie Ingalls, cellist Maarten Vos and Mas Ysa at the Moog factory in Asheville, North Carolina as well as Lisbon, Portugal. See Julianna Barwick and Mos Ysa Saturday, June 25 at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City. Get “Will” from Julianna Barwick, Amazon, Google Play, Tidal and Spotify.
Anohni – “Hopelessness”
English singer-songwriter Anohni drives her powerful voice through the electronic dance music beats and into popular culture on her debut solo album, “Hopelessness,” released Friday, May 6. Known as the leader of the New York City chamber-pop band Antony and the Johnsons since 2010, Anohni doesn’t beat around the bush about anything, really. The openly transgender singer-songwriter dropped two singles prior to the release of “Hopelessness” that cut through the public discourse. The first, “4 Degrees,” is about global warming and her vision of polar ice caps melting and the ocean boiling; and “Drone Bomb Me” is sung from the perspective of a child languishing the death of her family killed in a drone strike. See Anohni Wednesday, May 18 and Thursday, May 19 at Park Avenue Armory in New York City. Get “Hopelessness” from iTunes, Amazon, Bandcamp, Tidal and Spotify.
Seratones – “Get Gone”
Louisiana-based quartet Seratones have such a sweet soulful southern sound. The band’s debut album “Get Gone” captures a beautiful combination of the members’ youthful energy and strong sensibilities. Singer AJ Haynes leads the band comprised of brothers Connor and Adam Davis playing guitar and bass respectively, and drummer Jesse Gabriel. The members are tight throughout the 11 tracks on “Get Gone,” an album that strikes a similar tone as the first Alabama Shakes album, “Boys and Girls.” The band, which is in its early stages, has garnered national attention from its set at SXSW and performance on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series. If the band is showing any signs of immaturity, its members disguise it with a powerful application of passionate talent. “Get Gone” is available from Fat Possum Records, iTunes, Amazon, Bandcamp, Tidal, Spotify and probably anywhere you buy music.
Kacy & Clayton – “Strange Country”
Steeped in the traditions of southern Appalachian folk music, second cousins Clayton Linthicum and Kacy Anderson forge a special bond over family and music that pours out of every song on “Strange Country,” released Friday, May 6. The second cousins performing as Kacy & Clayton hail from Saskatchewan, Canada and share vocal duties with Anderson taking lead and playing violin and Linthicum fingerpicking the acoustic guitar and banjo using influences of folk, blues and bluegrass. Together they seamlessly play off of one another’s strengths, that they know so well as relatives and from the duo’s three previous albums, and translate a traditional folk sound for modern times. Get “Strange Country” from Bandcamp, Amazon, Spotify and Tidal.
Mary Chapin Carpenter – “The Things That We Are Made Of”
Singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter released her 14th album “The Things That We Are Made Of” Friday, May 6. Carpenter’s Americana and country sound is captured here in refined grace by producer Dave Cobb. Her heartfelt melodies are delivered from her trained voice and paired exceptionally with the music on the 11 tracks of “The Things That We Are Made Of.” The Grammy Award-winning artist that achieved commercial country music fame in the 90s, sounds curious on her latest album. These songs continue to build throughout the album, not exactly linking like a concept album, but each track ends like a chapter pulling you into the next. Mary Chapin Carpenter will tour throughout the Mid-Atlantic region throughout the summer: Monday, June 13 at the American Music Theatre in Lancaster, Pa., Wednesday, June 15 at the State Theatre in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Tuesday, June 28 at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, New Jersey and Wednesday, June 29 at the State Theatre in State College, Pa. Get “The Things That We Are Made Of” from Mary Chapin Carpenter, iTunes, Amazon, Tidal and Spotify.
Gregory Porter – “Take Me To The Alley”
Jazz singer-songwriter Gregory Porter sings from the soul on his fourth solo album, “Take Me To The Alley,” released Friday, April 6. The Grammy Award-winning actor and singer touches on aspects of blues, soul, gospel and jazz on his first album since “Liquid Spirit,” released three years ago. Porter is not only the lead vocalist but also the bandleader driving grooves and melodies throughout the 12 tracks on “Take Me To The Alley.” Drawing inspiration from his family and his roots, Porter crosses genres and draws from feeling to tell these stories. But fans of the dance club hit “Holding On” by Disclosure, featuring Porter, might be surprised to hear a much more toned down version of the song on “Take Me To The Alley” – this one hits closer to the heart. Get “Take Me To The Alley” from Gregory Porter, Google Play, Amazon, iTunes and Tidal.
