New Music Reviews (11/23)

Each week, KEXP’s Music Director Don Yates shares brief insights on new and upcoming releases (joined this week by DJ Alex Ruder). See what's coming up this week below, including reviews for new releases from Crooked Man, nostrum grocers, Molly Nilsson, and more.

Crooked Man – Crooked House (DFA)
The sophomore album from this project of the elusive and quietly prolific Sheffield, UK electronic producer Richard Barratt is another fantastic set of slinky, propulsive, vocal-laced house mixed with some slightly sinister electro-pop moments. Featuring a wide array of guest vocalists and some knockout piano-house singles, Crooked House is more proof that Crooked Man’s assured dancefloor/pop anthems rest comfortably alongside kindred labelmates Hercules & Love Affair and The Juan MacLean. — AR

nostrum grocers - nostrum grocers (Ruby Yacht/The Order Label)
nostrum grocers is a collaborative project between Maine rapper/producer milo (aka Rory Ferreira) and NYC rapper Elucid (aka Chaz Hall). Kindred talents who each boast robust vocabularies, distinctive vocal styles, and an ability to conjure up vivid mental images, their debut album is a solid set of cerebral leftfield hip-hop. — AR

Molly Nilsson - 2020 (Night School)
The 8th studio album from this Berlin-based Swedish singer, songwriter, and producer is another strong set of romantic 80s-steeped synth-pop that marries her glistening vocals and heart-tugging lyrics to her gauzy, nostalgic, widescreen backdrops. — AR

Graham Van Pelt - Time Travel (Arbutus)
Graham Van Pelt is a Montreal-based multi-instrumentalist/vocalist best known under his former solo moniker Miracle Fortress, as well as his role as a member of the wonderful and underrated trio Think About Life. His first release under his own name is a solid set of sleek groove-driven electro-pop that pairs his warm, airy, melodic vocals over propulsive, glistening, synth-led beats in a manner akin to Joe Goddard and Boxed In. — AR

Terror/Cactus - Impulsos (self-released)
The second Terror/Cactus album from Seattle-based Argentine-American producer Martín Selasco is a potent set of psych-tinged cumbia, combining cumbia and other Latin rhythms with electric guitar riffs, atmospheric keyboards, and samples of field-recordings. — DY

Low Leaf - PRiMiTiVA (Fresh Selects/Creator DYI)
The latest release from Los Angeles vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer Angelica Lopez (aka Low Leaf) is another impressive set of her unique harp-enhanced sound that densely and intricately marries soul, jazz, R&B, electronic, and folk styles for a cosmic and earthy aesthetic that's reminiscent of Sudan Archives. — AR

Finn - Dance Music Has Betrayed Us All (Local Action)
The latest EP from young Manchester, UK DJ/producer Finn McCorry follows last year's Sometimes The Going Gets A Little Tough EP, a release that saw its infectious title track experience crossover success with support from big-name DJs and ultimately being licensed over to Defected Records for a healthy slew of festival-ready remixes. These unexpected moves may have put more money in Finn's pockets, but seemingly left him disillusioned with the mainstream music industry, as his latest offering's title cheekily conveys. Dance Music Has Betrayed Us All finds him fittingly returning to his underground roots for another solid set of addictive high-energy club rhythms that blend piano-heavy house music with elements of garage, grime, Jersey club, hip-hop, UKG, and ghetto-house. — AR

GospelbeacH - Another Winter Alive (Alive Naturalsound)
This LA band’s latest release features five songs from the recording sessions for their previous album (2017’s Another Summer Of Love), along with five songs recorded live in London. It’s a solid showcase for the band’s blend of buoyant psych-pop and folk-rock. — DY

Bruce - Sonder Somatic (Hessle Audio)
Following a string of hotly-tipped underground EPs, Bristol, UK-based electronic producer Larry McCarthy (aka Bruce) unveils his debut full-length album and it's a head-spinning set of captivating, complex, physical electronic rhythms and soundscapes enhanced with amazing sound design that feels equally suited for both the most progressive club dancefloors and intense sci-fi video game soundtracks. — AR

Lone - Ambivert Tools Volume Four (R & S)
The latest EP from UK-based electronic producer Matt Cutler (aka Lone) is another short-and-sweet entry in his consistently great Ambivert Tools series and offers up three tasty tracks of colorful house grooves inflected with techno and breaks. — AR

Shigeto - Weighted (Ghostly International)
The latest EP Detroit electronic producer Shigeto (aka Zach Saginaw) continues to find him exploring an adventurous and dense blend of house, jazz, and hip-hop that boasts a vibrant live feel while flexing his skills as both an intricate producer and heady drummer. Legendary Detroit DJ/producer Andrés turns in a smooth house rework to close things out. — AR