Weekly Release Spotlight
That one perfect album that we (and you) almost missed.
Surface Tension by Annahstasia
Annahstasia’s latest alt-folk EP is both a delightful tease at a new album and a beyond-words gorgeous collection of songs. Her powerful voice transcends genre and evokes feelings from warmth to love to fear, all encompassed by atmospheric and natural instrumentals. Particularly, the closing track “Stress Test” toes the line of rage and regret; delicately, yet with great purpose, Annahstasia calls back to past loves and implores the ways in which they’ve left an impact. This thoughtful and deliberate EP is warm, captivating, and a little haunting.
SABLE by Bon Iver
Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon has once again perfectly encapsulated feelings of doubt, despair, and confusion on his latest EP, SABLE,. Vernon’s musical identity has always been unique and rightfully celebrated, but this latest EP strips back his experimentation and leaves songs to speak for themselves in a beautifully simplistic way. It would be reductionary to write off this EP as “Blood Bank Part 2;” though the two EPs do share a similar sound, Vernon’s honesty on SABLE, is fresh and distinctly of this year. The new musical collaborations that Bon Iver has done, such as the remix of Charli XCX’s “i think about it all the time” really highlight his unabashed honesty and constant reinvention of sound. This EP not only sounds gorgeous, but spotlights Bon Iver’s innovation and constant evolution of sound.
Tear Your Heart Out by Villagerrr
Latest album from Villagerrr is delightfully Midwestern. The Ohio band’s most recent project is a collection of home-recorded songs that tug at the heartstrings. Mixing distorted sounds with acoustic riffs, Villagerrr’s delicate and soft sound contrasts with melancholy lyrics. With such ease, the band evokes feelings of heartbreak and loss through this building and layering of sound—each song, at some point, makes you feel like your heart is ripping out of your chest. This album is beautiful and timely, worth a listen especially on a Midwest fall day.
Dunya by Mustafa
Sudanese-Canadian poet Mustafa’s debut album, ‘Dunya’ is one of existential heartbreak, mourning, and hope. With a unique blend of acoustic and electronic production, Mustafa delivers a brutally honest album powered by his wordplay and poetry. Mustafa’s background as a lifelong poet and writer shines through in ‘Dunya,’ showing his range of romanticism to mourning to rage, on issues ranging from personal to worldwide, and this is what really makes the album. Mustafa’s honesty and ability to draw connections to worldwide, systemic injustices from Gaza to his hometown of Toronto is incredible, and shows his strength as both a writer and a global citizen. ‘Dunya’ shines a light on the interconnectedness of politics and everyday life, and the deeply personal effects of large-scale political actions.
Circles by Tanukichan
Tanukichan’s newest EP is a hazy shift of sound—a short, encapsulating group of songs from Hannah van Loon. The title, “Circles,” is truly perfect, its instrumentals feel circular and flowing, driving the album through, begging to be repeated. Working with a new producer, and a newfound sense of maturity, van Loon’s songwriting shows through in themes of both nostalgia and growing pains. This, in combination with fuzzy instrumentals and crashing drums, cements Tanukichan’s presence as a powerful and multi-dimensioned artist.
SHINBANGUMI by Ginger Root
With its bouncing bass and multi-influenced vocal landscape, SHINBANGUMI solidifies itself as an album with a vision. From city pop (both modern and vintage) to soul, Ginger Root’s musical influences are tangible on this album. It’s fun, it’s experimental, and it has phenomenal interludes. SHINBANGUMI exhibits intentional and masterful quirk, sure to make you smile.