This week, Anti- Records releases the eight-album Neko Case vinyl box set, Truckdriver, Gladiator, Mule. The collection features her solo discography remastered from their original analog tape and pressed on 180 gram vinyl. There's also an 80-page photo book, a vinyl slipmat featuring an illustration by Case, and a custom storage box for the whole darn thing. If you're a good boy or girl, Santa might bring you one for Christmas!
Lafayette, LA band Givers return with their sophomore full-length, which KEXP Music Director Don Yates describes as "a more synth-oriented sound for their rhythm-driven pop-rock, combining sleek synths and guitars with propulsive, occasionally Caribbean-influenced rhythms, alternating male/female lead vocals and sparkling pop hooks." Former Emeralds guitarist Mark McGuire shares a new solo album, "an intricately crafted set of celestial prog-rock featuring a densely layered blend of atmospheric guitars and keyboards with circular rhythms and occasional vocals." Brooklyn-based artist Oneohtrix Point Never (aka Daniel Lopatin) releases his eighth album of "adventurous, often-disorienting set of densely produced, experimental electronic grooves."
Speaking of 0PN, collaborative duo Airbird & Napolian combines the talents of producers Airbird (aka Joel Ford, one-half of Ford & Lopatin alongside Oneohtrix Point Never) and Napolian (aka Ian Evans) for what KEXP's Alex Ruder describes as a "sharp, propulsive set of blown-out free-wheeling, nostalgia-tinged beats. The initial 2013 single that spawned the project – “In The Zone” – still shines bright while "Go To The Sun" is their unique stab at guitar-fueled sky-scraping pop." Frankie Cosmos (aka NYC artist Greta Kline) shares "a sweet set of romantic synth-pop full of infectious melodies and nostalgic production that recalls TOPS and Nite Jewel."
It's a holiday week, so for new releases, we get a cornucopia of reissues, remixes, retrospectives, and more. Husband-and-wife duo Shovels & Rope share a surprise covers album that KEXP Music Director Don Yates notes features appearances "ranging from Shakey Graves and JD McPherson to Lucius an…
Acclaimed Canadian artist Grimes returns with her highly-anticipated album, Art Angels. KEXP Music Director Don Yates calls her fourth full-length, "her most brightly melodic and also her most aggressive-sounding release, featuring a cleaner, more luminous sound for her adventurous dance-pop while …