Record Store Day is this coming Saturday, April 16th, but you should head to your favorite independent record stores early to scoop up some of these great new releases, like the latest from Parquet Courts. KEXP Music Director Don Yates says "this Brooklyn band's latest album is another smartly crafted set of often-sardonic post-punk with a greater emphasis this time around on brighter melodies and more personal, anxiety-riddled lyrics."
Other highlights this week include the ninth LP from New York band Woods, "a beautifully crafted blend of psych-rock and folk-pop with undercurrents of Ethiopian jazz, country-rock and other styles. It's also one of their most consistently strong sets of songs to date." Veteran Portland band The Dandy Warhols also return with their ninth album, "a groove-driven, mostly low-key blend of glam, psych-rock, New Wave, folk and more."
The latest from M83 (aka French artist Anthony Gonzalez) excavates a variety of sounds from bygone years, "ranging from '70s soft-rock, easy-listening lounge-pop and '80s power ballads to kitschy disco and hair metal." Scottish band Frightened Rabbit share their fifth full-length -- you can hear those songs performed LIVE on KEXP on Tuesday, April 19th. And Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals share a somber, poignant release, Call It What It Is -- watch him perform these songs LIVE in the KEXP studios here.
Award-winning artist PJ Harvey returns with her ninth full-length this week, her first since 2011's Mercury Prize-winning album Let England Shake. The songs were inspired by trips to Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Washington D.C. with photographer/filmmaker Seamus Murphy.
Local band Tacocat lead the pack in a very busy week of new releases. KEXP Music Director Don Yates says "this Seattle band's third album is an excellent set of punkish power-pop with crunchy, occasionally surfy guitars, energetic rhythms, sugary melodies and often-biting, wickedly humorous lyrics …