New Music Reviews (1/13)

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 Franz Ferdinand, Lambrini Girls, Moonchild Sanelly, and more. 

Franz Ferdinand - The Human Fear (Domino)
On their first album in seven years, Scottish rock outfit Franz Ferdinand reunites with producer Mark Ralph (who they worked with on their 2013 album). The Human Fear boasts big, bold dance-rock anthems, infused with elements of surf, 60s pop, alt-country, and more for an engaging and energetic listen. Frontman Alex Kapranos brings his signature vocal swagger, propelled by the band’s masterful musicianship, offering an exhilarating return to form. –CS

Lambrini Girls - Who Let The Dogs Out (City Slang)
Lambrini Girls are coming in fast and furious with their ferocious debut. With seething guitars, razor-sharp lyrics, and a fiery delivery to match, Who Let The Dogs Out is an exhilarating introduction to this Brighton-based duo’s undeniable brand of noisy, queer, witty punk magic. –CS

Moonchild Sanelly - Full Moon (Transgressive)
South African musician Moonchild Sanelly unleashes her captivating, no-holds-barred “future-ghetto-funk sound” on her new studio album, Full Moon. A genre bending mastermind, she seamlessly fuses art-pop, afro-punk, hip-hop and electro-pop with intoxicating beats, edgy lyricism and infectious hooks, resulting in an irresistible collection of banger after banger. –CS

Weep Wave - Speck (CorpoRAT)
The second album from this Seattle band fronted by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Dylan Fuentes is an enveloping, muscular, and stormy journey into post-punk, psych, and heavy rock terrain with a distinctive dip into groovy synth-punk on “Slow Collapse.” -AR

Yuma Abe - Hotel New Yuma (Thaian Records/Space Shower Music)
The latest solo album from this Tokyo-based singer, songwriter, guitarist, and lead singer of popular Japanese psych-pop band never young beach is a colorful set of transportive City Pop, groovy psych-pop, and bright indie-pop. Fueled by a love of Japan in the 1950s and 1960s and a desire to experience that era, Hotel New Yuma serves as the soundtrack to a fictional hotel on a southern island with Yuma Abe playing the role of hotel manager and host of the island’s popular variety show. -AR

zzzahara - Spiral Your Way Out (Lex)
Sometimes, you have to Spiral Your Way Out of the darkness – and that’s exactly what LA-based singer-songwriter zzzahara did after hitting “emotional rock bottom” following the end of a relationship. Featuring guitars that shift from bright to murky, the songs on their third studio album carry a deep emotional weight, with big hooks, dreamy, muddied vocals, and expert production, creating a dynamic and hopeful soundscape. –CS

Ahya Simone - Neptunian Blue (self-released)
Ahya Simone is a multidisciplinary Detroit-based harpist, composer, singer, and filmmaker who has closely collaborated with Kelela and Shigeto and was featured on multiple tracks on Red Hot Org’s 2024 compilation TRA​И​Ƨ​A. Her debut solo EP is a beautiful set that mixes spectral R&B, spiritual jazz, and silky ambient in lush, hypnotic, meditative fashion. -AR

Damian Lazarus - Magickal (Crosstown Rebels)
The latest album from veteran British DJ, producer, and Crosstown Rebels founder Damian Lazarus is a sleek set of vocal-heavy house grooves featuring an eclectic roster of guests including Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs and A-Trak on the slinky midtempo highlight “Falling Down,” Ghanaian artist Jojo Abot on “Force,” and Spanish duo Méstiza on the flamenco-tinted “La Hija De Juan Simón.” Damian rolls solo on the deep house cut “Why Don’t U” for another standout tune. -AR

Errol Eats Everything - NYAM! EP (Big Chune Media)
As he gears up to release his debut album this year, up-and-coming MC Errol Eats Everything serves up a three-track appetizer of his message-driven hip-hop. With fresh flows and a classic production from Furious Evans, the NYAM! EP sets the stage for more intriguing and evocative storytelling to come. –CS

fat jon - Obscurity Continuum (Sichtexot)
25 years into his career, Frankfurt-based, Cincinnati-raised hip-hop producer fat jon continues to deliver dreamy, cinematic, instrumental-heavy beats that are warm, at times blissfully driving, and rooted in a nostalgic boom-bap sheen. -AR

João Selva - Onda (Underdog)
The fourth solo album from Brazilian musician João Selva is a colorful dive into breezy Brazilian pop with splashes into funk, samba, bossa nova, folk, jazz, soul, disco, and psychedelic styles. French singer-songwriter Cléa Vincent makes a guest appearance on groovy album highlight “VIENS DANSER” (“Come Dance”). -AR

mercury - Swarm the Hive Mind (Big Loud Rock)
The second of two 2024 EPs by emerging Franklin, Tennessee-based musician Maddie Kerr (aka mercury), Swarm the Hive Mind continues to showcase her blistering blend of sludgy grunge, heavy shoegaze, widescreen rock, and visceral indie rock that’s pummeling, brooding, and packs a potent punch.  –AR

Skiifall - Lovers Till I’m Gone (self-released)
Skiifall is a Montreal-based artist originally from the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines who has previously collaborated with BADBADNOTGOOD, Lil Silva, Obongjayar, and more. His latest EP is a top-notch set of magnetic reggae/dancehall jams and smooth Lovers Rock cuts that pairs his charismatic flow with stellar beats rooted in classic riddims created by in-demand chameleonic producer Kenny Beats. Jorja Smith makes the lone guest vocal appearance on “Her World.” -AR

Tinsley - Tinsley (self-released)
The debut album from Seattle’s Tinsley is an earnest, endearing collection of infectious indie-pop and indie-rock, with occasional alt-country undertones. Her sugary vocals bring bittersweet lyrics of yearning and heartache to life, complemented by bright guitars, irresistible hooks and plenty of allure.  –CS