This weekend, summer has returned to the Hudson Valley with a vengeance! Needless to say, I'm not happy about it. I'd been enjoying the Fall weather, and the even cooler weather in Switzerland last week, only to return home to this messy heat. But weather doesn't stop the music and I'm happy to share thoughts on some albums I've been listening to on my travels. Most of these were designed for cooler weather, which justifies my ramblings above, so think of these as something to checkout as soon as this heat wave moves back down south where it belongs. Enjoy.
Iron and Wine - Beast Epic: It's been four years since the last true album from Sam Beam under this moniker, and not much has changed in that time. He is still one of the best and most consistent songwriters of his generation, and he can still infuse Americana with indie folk with the best of them. This album is a little more bare bones than the previous two, resembling his earlier work. "Summer Clouds," "About a Bruise," and "Last Night" are my personal favorites.
Big Blood - The Daughter's Union: After releasing a two-part album back '15, the freak folk duo from Portland, Maine worked on some collaborations. This summer, they released this new album which once again reaffirms them as one of my favorite bands. They have a sound that taps right into my imagination and illustrates thoughts of mine into sound. "Reproduce and Get Dirty," "Thank You for the Path," "All is Clear," "Stars Sewn Into Our Skies," and "On and On," are standouts on one their best albums to date.
Warhorse - Warhorse: The UK hard prog band is one of the handful of innovators who developed the heavy psych genre, along with Sir Lord Baltimore, Gun, and Horse. Released in 1970, this is a stunning debut album that is much heavier than most of hard rock at the time. Though still blues based, it moves away from that sound and into a heavy psych vibe. "Woman of the Devil," "No Chance," "Vulture Blood," and "Burning" are my personal favorites on this epically underappreciated album.
The Experience Nebula Room - Ouroborous: The debut album from the Rio band is a brilliant instrumental record that is perfectly paced between heavy psych sounds and gothic folk. It all comes together to produce a sound that feels like the soundtrack to a pleasantly horrifying dream. I gave this a chance because from the cover I had a hunch it would sound something like Goblin Hovel, and I was right. The softer gothic songs are similar, but there are also moments that are more like King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. Definitely worth a listen.
Nektar - Magic Is a Child: The seventh album from the German space rock band was released in '77 and sees the band follow the general trajectory of 70's psychedelic space rock bands. By that, I mean this album feels far safer and more radio friendly than earlier releases. As a result, it also feels a little less interesting to my ears. It feels more like Kansas or Styx than Pink Floyd or Hawkwind, which isn't necessarily terrible, just not quite as good. "On the Run" and "Spread Your Wings" were my personal favorites on this album that is just okay.
Kids United - Un Monde Meilleur: Formed in 2015, these six French children recorded this debut record, a second would follow a year later. My longstanding interest in kidcore recordings led me to check out this album. I expected yet another bubblegum pop record, and was pleasantly surprised to discover this isn't that. This is far more club friendly dance pop, which is certainly over produced, but not unbearable. These kids all have very powerful and soulful voices that sound grown up and very Adele influenced. "Des ricochets," "Toi + moi," and their cover of "Imagine" are standout tracks on a record that is a curiosity interest for those into this kind of thing.
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