#NewMusicFriday Guide - 04/08/2016

So. Many. Albums. Are. Coming. Out. This. Month. Seriously. I knew that April was going to be awesome, but not this awesome.

If I'm feeling overwhelmed trying to keep up, I imagine you are, too. Since I already do this on a weekly basis for myself and sharing is caring, here is an overview of what I'm excited about that came out this week: 

Mayer Hawthorne - Man About Town

After venturing out on various side projects, Mayer Hawthorne has returned to his retrofitted swoonerific sound. I'm still confused why there are so many women moaning on this record, but I guess he does have that kind of effect on the ladies, so I'll allow it. Either way, I look forward to spending some quality time with this record. 

M83 - Junk

Everyone on the internet has very strong emotions and opinions about how the followup to M83's 2011 blockbuster of a record, Hurry Up We're Dreaming is supposed to sound. The headlines that I've seen for the reviews of this record indicate that Anthony Gonzalez has made a lot of critics very upset because they didn't get what they wanted. Guys, the record is literally called JUNK. Pretty sure he knew critics were going to thumb their noses at this record. Whatever, I think it's fun...and that's  not just because "Time Wind" features Beck. 

Wildlife Control - Particles

This is a fun kind of album release because there's an ultra neat way to experience it. The brainiac brothers that are Wildlife Control leveraged Instagram's API and coded up their own tool to search and carefully piece together a hundred or so hyperlapse videos from Instagram as a way to take in their record. I actually got to chat with these guys last night at an intimate party to celebrate their record coming out and boy did we get nerdy. That interview will be coming soon. 

Deftones - Gore

Deftones are back! And there was much singing and much rejoicing! There are so many people in my timeline that are SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS RECORD. This includes me. I actually have not kept up with any of the new singles or anything related to this album, so I consider myself kind of hashtag blessed that my first listen of this record is going to be spoiler-free. 

Honne (feat. Izzy Bizu) - "Someone That Loves You" 

Honne fam dropped a new track! If you are part of my Snap fam you got to hear a loud garbled snippet of this track at their Bowery Ballroom show last month. As much as I like the illusion of premium #content, I'll admit that this professional recording is better than my snippet. Also, Izzy Bizu! I need to spend more time with her music. Her vocals on this track are so sensual. Everything Honne puts out makes you want to practice baby making. These are just the facts, fam. 

Digitialism - "Go Time"

This is the fourth track from Digitialism's upcoming album Mirage, which comes out on May 19th. Last week it was on Soundcloud. This week it can be streamed for many micropennies. It is good. #bye

Moving Units - Damage With Care

I am embarrassed because I forgot Moving Units still made music. I took to them very quickly with their debut, Dangerous Dreams, but then they fell off my radar. This is an example of why I'm making this list now. It's just as much for you as it is for me. I have no idea if this is any good, but I really hope it is. They have more albums, too. This might take awhile. Fingers crossed! 

Culture Abuse - Peach

You may have diSKOAvered these guys a few weeks back. If you didn't, bummer for you. Either way their album is out and it's fuzzy lo-fi fun times and I like it a lot. For some reason when I listen to Culture Abuse I'm always fighting the urge to not walk around with that signature Mick Jagger pouty/kissy/duck face everywhere I go. You know, this face. It's okay, I don't know either. Anyway, it's nice feeling like a bratty #teen listening to this. 

What came out today that's got you rushing to your record store or swift to stream immediately? Let me know in the comments below or @ me! 

[Watch] Steady Holiday - "Open Water"

From her forthcoming debut album, Under The Influence, LA songstress Dre Babinski aka Steady Holiday has unveiled the video for her latest single, "Open Water". It's possible that in the recent past you've caught a glimpse of Babinski perform live as she's been in a several LA bands in addition to opening for the likes of Fitz and the Tantrums and Fun.. Since then she's decided it was high time to step out on her own, thus here we are today. 

"Open Water" is equal parts seductive, melancholic, and almost saccharin-level-sweet. In this particular instance, I liken Babinski to a siren who is breathlessly luring us all out into open water, where the depths of our darkest memories could swallow us whole. The accompanying video is just as entrancing as the song itself. 

If you're heading to Coachella for either weekend, Steady Holiday will be performing on both Sundays, so be sure to keep an ear out. LA fam who aren't going to Coachella can catch her at her residency at The Satellite every Friday in May. 

Under The Influence is out June 24th courtesy of Infinite Best Recordings. 

Steady Holiday On Tour
04/17 - Indio, CA @ Coachella
04/24 - Indio, CA @ Coachella
06/06 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Satellite
06/13 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Satellite
06/20 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Satellite
06/27 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Satellite

[Night Out] HONNE @ Bowery Ballroom (3/11/2016)

photo credit: Liz Morrison 

Oh hello there, HONNE fam! Nice to see you again. When last we met these huggable fellows they were keeping us warm on a cold cold night at the Mercury Lounge. Last night, however, Sprout and I witnessed them keep us sweaty on a semi chilly night in a sold out room that is more than double the size: my most favorite of spaces, the Bowery Ballroom. You can tell that they've been touring a good bit since November because they were a lot more at ease than previously witnessed. I guess once you conquer that first show crossing the pond it's hard to feel unstoppable.  

Amidst the collective booty shaking I was able to be reminded of how INCREDIBLY AWKWARD it is to accidentally make eye contact with a complete stranger while singing lyrics such as, "we could be getting frisky girl til 3 o'clock in the morning." I've joked previously about their music making me pregnant, but there's nothing like remembering what you're singing along to while making eye contact with a stranger and subsequently trying to visibly chuckle and glance away as quickly as possible. 

Near the end of their set the duo debuted their next single, "Someone Who Loves You", which they dedicated to [presumably] a fan named Ricardo who has apparently been having a rough go at it. The single, which prominently featured their fierce backup singer, is expected to be available for the rest of the world to hear in the coming weeks. 

I had a nice #rockmom moment during their final number, "All In The Value", when James went to perform his *ahem* HONNE-SOLO (sorry) which prompted an eruption of excited lady screams as he wailed on his guitar. Definitely not the same band I saw less than 6 months ago, that's for sure. 

Check out the photos Sprout snapped from last night below. The band has a handful of sold out shows left in North America, so hopefully you'll be at one of them. 

Get acquainted with the fellas if you haven't already courtesy of their latest EP. 

[Watch] XO - "Divine Disaster (feat. James Chatburn) (Official Video)"

What's that? You've been itching for some thump with a little pinch of wobble in your life? I gotchu fam. Enter: Staffordshire producer/songwriter XO and his first ever music video for his latest track, "Divine Disaster", which features Sydney's own James Chatburn on vocals. You may recognize the location of this video even if you're not located across the pond because it was featured in a fairly memorable scene in the film A Clockwork Orange. The single, which also includes the b-side "Night Time Solace" is now available for you to purchase (and you should because both tracks are quite delightful). 

Once you've found yourself wanting more XO in your life, be sure to check out his previous two EPs, which are equally as awesome. 

[Listen] Mossy - "Electric Chair (Slum Sociable Remix)"

Check it out you guys we have a new Aussie to enjoy! Also because I'm nice I'm giving you a bit of a 2 for 1 special where you try out a new Aussie and you get a remix from the ol' Slum Sociable fam for $FREE.99! 

For those of you who are just catching up like me, MOSSY, who hails from Sydney, unveiled this GORGEOUS video a few weeks back for his debut single, "Electric Chair", which comes from his self-titled debut that will be dropping on May 13th courtesy of boutique label I OH YOU. The video got past me the first time, but thanks to this sophisticated rework by the Slum guys you can enjoy both side by side as I did. 

Because I'm a stickler for knowing a particular song before I hear the remix first, watch this dreamy video below. 

Then enjoy this rework from Slum Sociable (who are apparently working on a remix EP of their favorite artists). 

[Listen] Coast Modern - "Animals"

I'm still trying to figure out Coast Modern. Their debut single, "Hollow Life" charted super well on Hype Machine (and rightfully so because the song is fire). Their latest tune, "Animals" is equally a banger. I don't know much more about this fresh faced LA duo other than the facts I just presented. Oh and they're going on tour with BORNS soon and conveniently going to be at SXSW playing a ton of shows including a set at the Hype Machine Hype Hotel and Perez Hilton's party.

It doesn't look like they've been around terribly long. They appeared to just have materialized out of nowhere complete with some kind of brain melting management team that set them for success in a big way. I suppose I get skeptical because I've seen this kind of setup so many times where I fall in love with a baby buzzworthy band and they either blow up or burn out really fast without warning. Harnessing hype properly where you gradually gain traction as a means to not be dismissed as the flavor of the week is tricky these days. I hope for their sake that by the time they make it here in June for their first ever headlining show (at Rough Trade nonetheless) that I'll have more to report. 

[Watch] You Wont - "Ya Ya Ya (Official Video)"

As a self-proclaimed lover of all things weird but totally awesome I can't begin to tell you how equally confused and delighted I am by the video for Massachusetts duo You Wont's single, "Ya Ya Ya". I am always the first to admit that I am bad at "getting" videos, but honestly I don't think there was an actual point to this video other than to make something for the sake of the lulz. I get that the powdered wig getup is a hint towards their forthcoming sophomore album, Revolutionaries, which drops on April 29th. Anything past that though? I'd rather not overthink it and just enjoy it, which you absolutely will. This tune will leave you involuntarily swaying and head bobbing. You'll also probably attempt to yodel along and feel embarrassed that you won't be as good at it. That may or may not have actually happened to me. This is probably a silly way to describe their sound, but I liken them to Wilco's more upbeat cousin. I think you'll hear what I mean courtesy of the video below. 

Like any good hard working band should, You Wont will be hitting the road in support of the album, which kicks off the day of its release. NY fam you have 2 different chances to catch these guys live so you have no excuses. I will probably go to both because I love myself, so I look forward to seeing you there! 

You Won't Tour Dates, Spring 2016

4/29 - Portland, ME @ One Longfellow Square

4/30 - Portsmouth, NH @ Birdseye Lounge

5/03 - Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory

5/04 - New Haven, CT @ BAR

5/06 - Boston, MA @ Sinclair

5/07 - New York, NY @ Berlin 

5/08 - Northampton, MA @ Parlour Room

5/10 - Toronto, ON @ The Drake

5/12 - Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle

5/13 - Madison, WI @ Frequency

5/14 - Minneapolis, MN @ Turf Club

5/16 - Bloomington, ID @ Bishop

5/17 - Nashville, TN @ Hi Watt

5/18 - Atlanta, GA @ The Earl

5/20 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle Back

5/21 - Washington, DC @ DC9

5/22 - Philadelphia, PA @ Boot and Saddle

[Listen] Summer Heart - "Pretty Haze" x "The Forbidden"

It's so damn lovely out in NYC and these are the jams you should be playing as you twirl around in the sunshine. Like the name of the song hints, "Pretty Haze" sure to leave you in a lovesick haze.  Likewise "The Forbidden" continues to envelope you in subtle serenity. Both tracks come from Summer Heart's forthcoming EP, which drops later this year. These songs going to be the soundtrack to couples cuddling on blankets in McCarren Park this summer, so if your relationship survived cuffing season, you're welcome in advance for the inevitable swoonfest you'll experience from this. 

Per his tweets and snaps, the Swedish mastermind behind the project, David Alexander is currently in Brooklyn working on more music, so it's most likely that yours truly is going to be making him #SKOAfam very soon. 

If you're one of those patient people with money heading to SXSW in the next couple of days, make sure to add at least one of his performances to your daily agenda alongside the BBQ eating and standing in long lines. If SXSW isn't in your sights, you can always come to the Knitting Factory near the end of the month and hang out with me. 

Summer Heart On Tour
16 – The Townsend (1:05am), SXSW, Austin
19 – Icenhauer’s (1am), SXSW, Austin
23 – The Knitting Factory, Brooklyn, NYC