New Music Reviews (10/21)

Each week, Music Director Chris Sanley and Associate Music Director Alex Ruder share brief insights on new and upcoming releases for KEXP's rotation. These reviews help our DJs decide on what they want to play. See what we added this week below (and on our Charts page), including new releases from Confidence Man, Chinese American Bear, Christopher Owens, and more. 

Confidence Man - 3 AM (LA LA LA) (Polydor)
The third studio album from Brisbane’s Confidence Man is a blissed-out celebration of ‘90s dance music that is unapologetically fun and ready for the party. Spanning UK rave and pop, ‘3 AM (LA LA LA)’ offers a joyful, expansive listening experience, with endlessly creative jams that create a wholly immersive soundscape. –CS

Chinese American Bear - Wah!!! (Moshi Moshi)
The sophomore album from adored Seattle duo Chinese American Bear is a charming, infectious collection of groovy, psych-infused synth-pop that will leave listeners saying “oh man, I’m feeling fuzzy.” Their playful melodies, funky basslines and quirky lyrics truly shine across these intricate, well crafted songs, inviting endless smiles –CS

Christopher Owens - I Wanna Run Barefoot Through Your Hair (True Panther Sounds)
Simply put, Christopher Owens is a damn good songwriter. On his latest solo endeavor, ‘I Wanna Run Barefoot Through Your Hair’, he traverses through ten timeless tracks that span from sparse, lamenting ballads to reverb-drenched burners, showcasing the beauty in simplicity, growth, restraint, and vulnerability, as he welcomes listeners on the “journey back to the center” of himself. –CS

High Vis - Guided Tour (Dais)
The third album from this London band is another strong set of stormy post-punk that ranges from aggressive post-hardcore to addictive Madchester jams, the latter brilliantly tackled on standout early single “Mind’s a Lie” that features sampled vocals from South London singer, DJ, and producer Ell Murphy. With London-based Canadian producer Jonah Falco of Fucked Up and Jade Hairpins (amongst many other projects) at the helm, High Vis level up on ‘Guided Tour’ to deliver a gritty, emphatic, and passionate album that navigates “a middle ground between hooks and fury, melodies and mosh pits.” -AR

Humdrum - Every Heaven (Slumberland)
The debut album from this new project of Chicago’s Loren Vanderbilt III – formerly of the overlooked, short-lived band Star Tropics – is a fantastic set of buoyant, melancholic, propulsive pop songs that nails a blend of 90s-era dream-pop, shoegaze, New Wave, jangle-pop and indie-pop to capture a refreshing, nostalgic and invigorating sound. -AR

Japandroids - Fate & Alcohol (ANTI-)
These pop-punk icons are clearly going out with a bang. The fourth and final album from Vancouver’s Japandroids is packed with big guitars, epic hooks, and passionate sing-along anthems, leaving their dedicated fans with an excellent parting gift. –CS

Kelly Finnigan - A Lover Was Born (Colemine)
The sophomore studio album from Monophonics’ frontman, Kelly Finnigan, is a captivating collection of earnest Northern Soul magic. The punchy arrangements and neo-soul grooves on ‘A Lover Was Born’ showcase dreamy vocal harmonies, dynamic horns, tender strings and poignant lyricism, resulting in an instant classic that tugs at the heartstrings. –CS

Kelly Lee Owens - Dreamstate (dh2)
Kelly Lee Owens can’t miss. Her fourth studio album features lush, sweeping soundscapes with buoyant melodies, infectious pop hooks and ethereal vocals, all propelled by entrancing beats and dark synths. Together, they transport listeners to an elevated ‘Dreamstate’ they won’t soon forget. –CS

Phantogram - Memory of a Day (Neon Gold)
The fifth studio album from longtime KEXP favorites is a captivating whirlwind of maximalist electronic rock. With layered guitars, swirling synths, propulsive bass, and driving drum machines, Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter craft memorable, textured pop anthems that could only emerge from the Phantogram universe. –CS

Porridge Radio - Clouds In The Sky They Will Always Be There For Me (Secretly Canadian)
Dana Margolin never ceases to turn each Porridge Radio album into a visceral experience. With her poetry at the core of ‘Clouds In The Sky They Will Always Be There For Me’, her singular voice carries listeners through deeply personal and tumultuous themes of heartache, burnout, insecurity and artistic expression. The lush, often somber soundscapes are all-consuming, as she and her bandmates build layers of emotion and instrumentation, resulting in a jaw-dropping collection of songs that cut deep. –CS

The Blessed Madonna - Godspeed (Warner)
She. Hath. ARRIVED. The long-awaited debut album from Kentucky-born, London-based DJ and producer The Blessed Madonna is an expansive and exuberant exploration of disco infused electronic dance music. Tapping in guests from pop legend Kylie Minogue to soul chanteuse Danielle Ponder, these 24 hook laden jams incorporate elements of gospel, soul and R&B for a vibrant and joyful ride. –CS

Spiral XP - I Wish I Was A Rat (Danger Collective)
Following a strong series of singles and EPs, the debut full length from the Seattle outfit fronted by Versing’s Max Keys hits all of the right marks. On ‘I Wish I Was A Rat’ their saturated shoegaze sound effortlessly ebbs and flows between hook-laden rockers to introspective meditations. Spiral XP’s reverb-soaked guitars and muddied vocals guide listeners down the hazy, melancholic rabbit hole (or rat hole, as it were) that PNWers will be enjoying for the foreseeable future. Come on in–it’s cozy down here. –CS

34 Trolley - Relaxation EP (Feel the Four)
The debut EP from this new project spearheaded by Philadelphia-based drummer/musician Jarrett Dougherty, formerly of the now defunct DIY punk band Screaming Females, is a stellar set of “early 1980s NYC-style Post-Punk Mutant Disco” full of infectious grooves, delicious basslines, charismatic energy, and even some downright amazing vibraphone solos. -AR

Annie J - Been Loving You EP (self-released)
The sophomore EP from Seattle’s Annie J is a vibrant fusion of neo-soul, R&B and disco. With her smooth, powerful vocals on prominent display, ‘Been Loving You’ features bold arrangements brought to life by fellow PNW artists including David Dawda, Peter Daniel, Jason Cressey and Monophonics, creating a dynamic, memorable listen. –CS

Bon Enfant - Demande spéciale (Duprince)
The third studio album from Montreal’s Bon Enfant is a vibrant, sleek fusion of art-rock psych-folk and glam, all sung in Québécois French. Describing their sound as “best enjoyed with a flower in your hair and a sword in hand,” the quintet delivers a sharp, joyful journey on ‘Demande spéciale’ featuring bright instrumentation, catchy hooks and rich vocals. –CS

Bon Iver - SABLE EP (Jagjaguwar)
On his first new project in over five years, Justin Vernon strips it all back and returns to his roots. The three songs on ‘SABLE,’ are beautifully reflective folk-rock tunes centered on his distinct vocal style, embellished with pedal steel, fiddle and horns–perfect for cozying up to this fall season. –CS

Cold Cave - Passion Depression (Heartworm Press)
The fourth album from this LA-based project led by Wesley Eisold is another potent set of “darkly luminous” goth-tinged jams that blends synth-pop, darkwave, and new wave into their distinctively gloomy, icy, propulsive sound. -AR

Jordana - Lively Premonition (Grand Jury Music)
The fourth album from the prolific Maryland-raised, LA-based singer-songwriter showcases her ongoing exploration of new soundscapes and the elevation of her already soaring craft. ‘Lively Premonition’ is a compelling collection of bedroom pop infused with a touch of Laurel Canyon folk. Featuring keys, strings, bouncy basslines, and dreamy vocals, these alluring, lavish, honey-soaked tunes mark another exciting chapter for Jordana. –CS

Kurious - Majician (Metalface/Rhymesayers)
Kurious is the alias of Jorge Alvarez, a veteran NYC rapper of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent who’s been a cult underground figure since dropping his major label debut in 1994. 30 years have passed since then, but he sounds recharged and reinvigorated on ‘Majician,’ an album executive produced by his longtime friend and creative collaborator MF Doom (RIP). Over stellar sample-heavy beats all produced by NYC’s Mono En Stereo, Kurious flexes his dexterous skills and commanding presence on the mic, delivering a bonafide East Coast hip-hop album that harkens back to the underground’s 1990s and early 2000s glory days. -AR

LP Giobbi - Dotr (Counter Records)
The sophomore album from DJ and producer LP Giobbi is a thrilling set of melodic electronica featuring vocals from friends, mentors, peers and heroes. Across these seventeen captivating tracks, she explores themes of duality, as “no one emotion is complete without its equal opposite.” The immersive sonic textures on ‘Dotr’ are driven by hypnotic beats and incredible guests including Brittany Howard, Danielle Ponder and Panama. –CS

MaLLy & Last Word - The Sweetest of It All (MaLLy LLC / Last Word Touring)
The latest full length from south Minneapolis rapper MaLLy is a joyful celebration of humanity. Entirely produced by Last Word, ‘The Sweetest of It All’ features dynamic, atmospheric soundscapes that incorporate soul, jazz and funk, enabling a smooth flow that explores Blackness, sobriety and resilience. –CS

Silverbacks - Easy Being A Winner (Central Tones/Cargo)
The third studio album from Dublin six-piece Silverbacks is a compelling collection of catchy indie-rock and art-punk, drawing influences from various genres and generations. Album standouts “Something I Know” and “Giving Away An Inch Of” boast funky bass lines and dynamic arrangements that keep these earworms swirling around for days. –CS

Various Artists - American Football (Covers) (Polyvinyl)
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Illinois band’s adored and influential self-titled debut album, Polyvinyl curates an excellent song-for-song album of covers performed by some heavy hitters. With each artist taking the band’s visionary blend of Midwest emo, math rock, indie rock, slowcore, and post-rock into their own direction, these 9 tracks offer a strong diversity, from inspired slowcore epics (Ethel Cain) to dreamy, magnetic, indie-heavy takes (Blondshell, Iron & Wine), modern moody Midwest-informed emo (M.A.G.S.) to beautiful instrumental terrain (Yvette Young of Covet). -AR

voyeur - Something Becomes You (self-released)
The second EP of 2024 from this emerging NYC four-piece band featuring past members of Strange Ranger and Sitcom is a strong set of gritty, edgy, melodic alternative rock. With members Jake Lazovick and Sharleen Chidiac sharing vocal duties, voyeur’s sound often taps gloriously into Sonic Youth’s magnetic (and more accessible) moments. -AR

W. H. Lung - Every Inch of Earth Pulsates (Melodic)
The third album from this Manchester, UK band is a thrilling set of widescreen, propulsive, smartly-crafted alternative rock songs that carries a captivating urgency – largely credited to working for the first time with acclaimed Sheffield-based producer Ross Orton (Yard Act, Arctic Monkeys, Working Men’s Club, Amyl and the Sniffers, Ibibio Sound Machine ) – through the band’s deft combination of soaring hooks, ringing guitars, kinetic rhythms, and bright synth accents. -AR

Amaria - Free Fallin’ (Fashionably Early)
The official debut full-length album from this LA-based, Tampa-raised singer, songwriter, and producer is a consistently impressive set of warm R&B and lush neo-soul songs with a dreamy 90s-influenced sound that’s alluring in its mellow, confident, and seductive energy. -AR

Beau - Girl Cried Wolf (Immortal)
The third album from this NYC duo composed of Heather Goldin and Emma Jenney – longtime friends who began writing songs together when they were 13 years old – is a solid set of catchy, confessional alternative pop/rock songs that finds them chronicling the ups and downs of growing up and into adulthood in New York City, yielding songs full of big, raw emotions that often revolve around young love and heartbreak. -AR

Hildegard - Jour 1596 (Chivi Chivi)
Meticulously crafted over 1596 days, the second album from this Montreal duo composed of versatile artists Helena Deland and Ouri (aka Ourielle Auvé) is an entrancing set of sultry, adventurous, moody R&B and delicate, arty indie-pop with a low-key yet precise touch that’s accented by the duo’s lush, atmospheric productions, Ouri’s exquisite harp flourishes, and Deland’s warm, ethereal vocals. -AR

Phoebe Rings - Phoebe Rings (Carpark)
The debut EP from this Auckland, New Zealand band fronted by Seoul-raised singer, songwriter, and jazz-school-trained pianist Crystal Choi is an impressive set of colorful dream-pop that swims through kaleidoscopic tunes with a groovy pulse to more pillowy slow jams. While there’s a strong Stereolab influence, especially on the EP’s bookend highlights, Phoebe Rings’ sound is uniquely tinted by Crystal’s love of Studio Ghibli films, Zelda soundtracks, Bossa Nova, and 90’s Korean ballads. -AR