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11 Finest Songs of the Week: Margaret Glaspy, Sufjan Stevens, Jamila Woods, Wild Nothing, and Extra
Plus Kevin Drew, Wings of Need, Fashionable Nature, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Different Notable New Tracks (Additionally a Bonus Mixture of the Finest Songs of the Final Month)
Aug 18, 2023
Welcome to the twenty fifth Songs of the Week of 2023. Songs of the Week was on hiatus for the final month as a result of Wendy and I have been on a a lot wanted trip to England and Iceland. I acquired a number of reader emails fearful we had killed Songs of the Week, however haven’t any worries, it’s again. In addition to a daily Songs of the Week, we’ve put collectively a further Spotify playlist that includes all of the songs we additionally preferred whereas Songs of the Week was taking a break.
Previously week or so we posted interviews with Bethany Cosentino, director/actor Amy Redford; Image Parlour; Cowboy Junkies; black midi; Black Nation, New Street; Native Natives; and others.
Within the final week we reviewed some albums.
Keep in mind that we not too long ago introduced our new print problem, Subject 71 with Weyes Blood and Black Belt Eagle Scout on the covers.
That will help you type by the multitude of recent songs launched within the final week, we’ve picked the 11 finest the final week needed to provide, adopted by some honorable mentions. Take a look at the total record beneath.
1. Margaret Glaspy: “Get Again”
Margaret Glaspy launched a brand new album, Echo the Diamond, right this moment through ATO. On Tuesday she shared its third single, “Get Again,” through a music video.
Initially of the track, Glaspy sings about not appreciating what you’ve: “As soon as I had all of it, or did all of it have me?/Once you’re dripping in your privilege/You don’t know the distinction/Between what you need and what you want.”
Later she beboams her former self-centeredness: “As soon as I assumed I used to be the one/Oh I used to be so lonely/Once you’re solely considering of your self/You’re lacking out on all people else.”
And within the refrain she encourages the listener to reset their mindset to a extra harmless, much less corrupted model of themselves. “Get again to the place you began from/Get again to childhood, get again to what’s good,” she sings.
Glaspy says of “Get Again” in a press launch: “The method of writing ‘Get Again’ helped carry me out of a darkish time in life. Now, once I play it stay, it appears to re-enact some form of deep compassion and pleasure that I’m so grateful for. It’s the most enjoyable I’ve ever had on stage.”
Phineas Alexander directed the “Get Again” video.
Echo the Diamond was co-produced together with her companion, guitarist/composer Julian Lage.
Glaspy beforehand shared the album’s first single, “Act Pure,” which was featured on our Songs of the Week. “Recollections” was the album’s second single.
Take a look at Glaspy’s upcoming tour dates right here.
2. Sufjan Stevens: “So You Are Drained”
On Monday, Sufjan Stevens introduced a brand new album, Javelin, and shared its first single, “So You Are Drained,” through a lyric video. It’s being billed as Stevens’ first full on singer/songwriter solo folks album since 2015’s acclaimed Carrie & Lowell and is due out October 6 through Asthmatic Kitty. “So You Are Drained” actually and gloriously seems like basic Sufjan Stevens. Take a look at the album’s tracklist and canopy art work right here.
In 2021, Stevens launched the five-volume album Convocations, in addition to A Newbie’s Thoughts, a collaborative album with Angelo De Augustine. Learn our digital cowl story interview with the duo about that album. In 2020 he put out The Ascension. Earlier this yr, Stevens launched Reflections, his rating for the Justin Peck ballet of the identical title that was carried out by pianists Timo Andres and Conor Hanick.
Adrienne Maree Brown, Hannah Cohen, Pauline Delassus, Megan Lui, and Nedelle Torrisi all present harmonies on lots of Javelin’s songs. Bryce Dessner of The Nationwide performs acoustic and electrical guitar on “Shit Speak.” Album nearer “There’s a World” is a Neil Younger cowl. Stevens recorded the album himself at dwelling, however a press launch factors out that Javelin nonetheless generally has an enormous sound and that it “pairs musical sweep with emotional breadth.”
A 48-page e-book of artwork and essays all created by Stevens accompanies the album. It contains “a sequence of meticulous collages, cut-up catalog fantasies, puff-paint phrase clouds, and iterative coloration fields. The ten brief essays—alternatively humorous, tragic, poignant, obtuse, and particular—provide little glimpses into loves and losses which have formed him, and, in flip, these songs.”
3. Jamila Woods: “Boomerang”
Chicago musician and poet Jamila Woods is releasing a brand new album, Water Made Us, on October 13 through Jagjaguwar. On Wednesday, she shared its second single, “Boomerang,” through a music video. The track finds her in full on dance-pop mode. Jordan Phelps and Vincent Martell directed the video.
“I co-wrote this track with Nao, GRADES and George Moore on a candy London day final yr,” Woods says in a press launch. “It was wonderful to work with Nao and meet her longtime collaborators and really feel the synergy that they’ve collectively. It’s a track about that form of relationship that retains popping again up all through your life, that magnetic attachment you need to somebody and the thrill and nervousness that comes with questioning ‘will we or gained’t we?’”
Of the track’s video, she provides: “The video was directed by my buddies Vincent Martell and Jordan Phelps of VAM Studio. We shot it fully in reverse on the Chicago Magic Lounge, which is understood for its portals and hidden rooms. The unimaginable burlesque artist Po Chop directed the motion and helped me be taught all of the choreo forwards and backwards, fairly actually.”
Beforehand Woods shared a video for the album’s first single, “Tiny Backyard,” which options duendita. “Tiny Backyard” was one among our Songs of the Week.
Woods had this to say concerning the album in a earlier press launch: “Water Made Us looks like probably the most private and susceptible piece of artwork I’ve ever made. I really like creating from supply materials, diving deep right into a topic and extrapolating from what I uncover. We sat in the home for 2 years and I turned my very own supply materials. Shout out to the therapists, the astrologers, the members of the family and buddies who listened, who helped me course of and remodel my journaled ideas and questions into this physique of labor. I hope it looks like a playlist that carries you thru the life cycle of a relationship, no matter stage of the journey your coronary heart could also be in.”
4. Wild Nothing: “Headlights On” (Feat. Hatchie)
On Wednesday, Wild Nothing (aka Jack Tatum) introduced a brand new album, Maintain, and shared its first single, “Headlights On,” which options Hatchie and was shared through a music video. He’s additionally introduced a November tour. Maintain is due out October 27 through Captured Tracks and is the primary Wild Nothing full-length in 5 years. Nathan Castiel directed the “Headlights On” video. Take a look at the album’s tracklist and canopy art work, in addition to the tour dates, right here.
Wild Nothing’s final album, Indigo, his fourth, got here out in August 2018 through Captured Tracks. Indigo was our Album of the Week and one among our Prime 100 Albums of 2018. In 2020 he launched the Laughing Fuel EP, additionally through Captured Tracks.
Jorge Elbrecht (Japanese Breakfast) blended “Headlights On,” which options drum manufacturing by Tommy Davidson of Seashore Fossils, and backing vocals from Hatchie’s Harriette Pilbeam.
Tatum had this to say concerning the track in a press launch: “This observe was extremely cathartic for me. It’s a track about your relationship reaching its most brittle second and nonetheless looking for even the smallest open window that may lead you again to that particular person. Musically I used to be drawn in the direction of one thing that felt very physique centric and will assist get me out of my very own repetitive thought patterns. It’s a propulsive and hopeful observe that’s meant to behave as a launch valve, however the somberness that impressed the track stays intact.”
Tatum self-produced Maintain and Geoff Swan (Caroline Polachek, Charli XCX) blended it. The album additionally options Molly Burch, Becca Mancari, and Tatum’s his spouse, Dana.
“I’ve sat with this report for a really very long time now, so naturally I’m each excited and apprehensive to let it see the sunshine,” says Tatum of Maintain. “It’s my first report as a father. My first self-produced report since my debut. It’s a report that offers in existential themes however doesn’t at all times take itself too severely. It’s not afraid of pop however it’s hopefully not afraid to be unusual both. It has enjoyable, will get unhappy, dwells within the quiet moments and embraces the loud ones. It’s me doing what I really like and feeling grateful for it.”
Learn our 2018 interview with Wild Nothing on Indigo.
Learn our 2018 Anatomy of a Track article on Wild Nothing the place he detailed Indigo single “Companions in Movement.”
Additionally learn our overview of Indigo.
Wild Nothing’s 2012 album, Nocturne, was Underneath the Radar’s #1 album of that yr.
Learn our 2016 interview with Wild Nothing.
5. Kevin Drew: “Out Within the Fields”
On Wednesday, Kevin Drew of Damaged Social Scene introduced a brand new solo album, Growing older, and shared its first two singles, “Out Within the Fields” and “Occasion Oven.” The previous was our favourite of the 2 songs and so it makes this record.
Growing older is due out bodily on September 22, with a full digital launch due on November 3. Take a look at the album’s tracklist and canopy art work, in addition to Damaged Social Scene’s upcoming tour dates, right here.
Drew recorded Growing older at The Tragically Hip’s Bathouse studio close to Kingston, Ontario with longtime collaborator Nyles Spencer. Initially he meant to make a kids’s album, however quickly it advanced into one about getting outdated.
“Ache is a tough factor to let go till you’re prepared,” Drew says in a press launch. “And that’s form of the place I used to be at with this report. Music, for me, is a launch—it’s a spot the place I can go and specific what it’s that I need to say.”
This fall Drew can even be releasing In the direction of All the things, a brand new 75-page e-book that options “a group of self-portraits and free verse ‘puke poems.’”
Throughout Damaged Social Scene’s fall tour dates, Drew can even be performing some Growing older songs.
In 2021 Drew launched Influences, an instrumental album underneath the title Ok.D.A.P. His final common solo album was 2014’s Darlings. In 2022 Drew contributed to our Covers of Covers twentieth anniversary album, the place he lined Stars’ “The Unfastened Ends Will Make Knots.”
Again in 2019, Damaged Social Scene launched two EPs, Let’s Strive the After Vol. 1 and Let’s Strive the After Vol. 2, each on Arts & Crafts. The band’s final album was 2017’s Hug of Thunder.
6. Wings of Need: “Be Right here Now”
Earlier right this moment, British duo Wings of Need (Chloe Little and James Taylor) shared two new songs, “Manufactured from Love” and “Be Right here Now.” The latter is not an Oasis cowl, however it was our favourite of the 2 songs and makes this record.
In a press launch, the duo collectively had this to say about “Be Right here Now”: “‘Be Right here Now’ is a track about being precisely the place you’re presupposed to be. Being current signifies that as an alternative of focussing on what occurred to you yesterday or what may occur tomorrow, you might be merely right here, now. Nobody needs to be caught on autopilot, it’s not good for the soul. As people we’d like to concentrate on the automated actions and reactions we’ve change into accustomed to, and discover a place of readability and calm. The current second affords peace, it provides us area to transcend.
“Ram Dass first coined the time period ‘Be Right here Now’ in 1971, however the intention is infinite. You’ll be able to really feel utterly in management but have completely no say over your future, and that could be a unusual sensation to get used to. It goes towards every part we’ve been taught in Western civilisation, however when you embrace freedom, the universe turns into your oyster.”
The brand new songs observe “Runnin’,” a brand new track the band launched in January that was one among our Songs of the Week, and “Select a Life,” a brand new track the band shared final yr that was additionally one among our Songs of the Week.
In 2021, Wings of Need launched the EP Amun-Ra.
Decide up our present print problem, Subject 71, to learn our Happy to Meet You interview with Wings of Need.
Take a look at the band’s upcoming UK tour dates, together with some reveals with Bleach Lab, right here.
7. Fashionable Nature: “Cascade”
Fashionable Nature (the band led by Jack Cooper) are releasing a brand new album, No Fastened Level In Area, on September 29 through Bella Union. Yesterday they shared its second single, “Cascade,” through a music video composed of 1 primarily static body.
Cooper had this to say concerning the new track in a press launch: “‘Cascade’ is a hyperlink between the summary colours of this report and the rhythms of the final one Island of Noise. The imagery is an try and convey how overwhelming the world could be while you make the time to actually observe it. Stunning, intricate and infinite. I used to be honored to have the ability to sing this spherical a microphone with the good Julie Tippetts… one thing I’ll always remember.”
Beforehand Fashionable Nature shared the album’s first single, the seven-minute “Murmuration,” through a music video. “Murmuration” was one among our Songs of the Week.
Of the brand new album, Cooper stated in a earlier press launch: “I needed the music to replicate nature: beginnings and endings, arrivals and departures, course of and probability. I needed the music and the phrases to really feel like roots, branches, mycelium, the intricacies of a daybreak refrain, neurons firing, the unknown.
“The way in which you see or hear music in your head is summary and magic… usually extra lovely than what ultimately seems on tape. Once you sit down with an instrument and start translating an concept, it rapidly conforms. I’ve tried to develop this music with out considering by way of set rhythms, time signatures, folks or pop buildings, syntax; the gadgets you affiliate with the music world which I come from. I needed to make music that was summary, free and sincere, while nonetheless being predominantly tonal and recognizably track primarily based. It looks like time to make one thing that nobody has heard earlier than.”
The musicians and collaborators for this report embrace Anton Lukoszevieze, Mira Benjamin and Heather Roche of Condominium Home, Alex Ward (This Is Not This Warmth / Spiritualized), Dominic Lash, Chris Abrahams of The Necks, and Julie Tippetts (FKA Julie Driscoll), in addition to long-term collaborators Jeff Tobias (Sunwatchers) and Jim Wallis.
Learn our interview with Cooper, the place he discusses his earlier album, Island of Noise.
8. The Nationwide: “Alphabet Metropolis”
Yesterday, The Nationwide shared two new songs, “Alphabet Metropolis” and “Area Invader.” They observe the April launch of the band’s newest album, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, and are out now through 4AD. We preferred “Alphabet Metropolis” finest and it makes this record.
Learn our overview overview of First Two Pages of Frankenstein right here. Stream the album right here.
The band options frontman Matt Berninger, in addition to two units of brothers: Aaron Dessner (guitar/piano/bass) and Bryce Dessner (piano, guitar), and Scott Devendorf (bass, guitar) and Bryan Devendorf (drums).
Beforehand the band shared First Two Pages of Frankenstein’s first single, “Tropic Morning Information,” which was one among our Songs of the Week. Then The Nationwide shared the album’s second single, “New Order T-Shirt,” and in addition began promoting a joint Nationwide/New Order T-shirt. “New Order T-Shirt” additionally made our Songs of the Week record. Then they shared its third single, “Eucalyptus,” through a music video. Then The Nationwide shared the album’s fourth single, “Your Thoughts is Not Your Pal,” which featured visitor backing vocals by Phoebe Bridgers and was shared through a music video directed by Jackson Bridgers (Phoebe’s brother) and co-starring Tom Berninger (brother of Matt Berninger). Then they shared a lyric video for album’s largest collaboration, “The Alcott,” which is a duet with Taylor Swift. Additionally they carried out “Eucalyptus” on The Tonight Present Starring Jimmy Fallon. First Two Pages of Frankenstein additionally options Sufjans Stevens.
The Nationwide’s earlier album, I Am Simple to Discover, got here out in 2019 through 4AD. Final yr the band shared a brand new single, “Bizarre Goodbyes,” which was a collaboration with Bon Iver (the mission led by Justin Vernon) however just isn’t featured on the brand new album.
Learn our 2018 interview with The Nationwide.
Learn our 2017 interview with The Nationwide on Sleep Effectively Beast.
p> 9. Future Islands: “Deep within the Evening”
On Tuesday, Future Islands shared a brand new track, “Deep within the Evening,” through a music video. Proper now it’s a standalone single on 4AD. The band are at the moment on tour within the UK and Europe. Albert Birney directed the black & white video. Take a look at the band’s upcoming tour dates right here.
The band’s final album was 2020’s As Lengthy As You Are, which made it to #17 on our Prime 100 Albums of 2020 record.
Learn our interview with Future Islands on As Lengthy As You Are.
In 2022 the band shared a model new track, “King of Sweden,” and carried out it on The Late Present with Stephen Colbert. Additionally they shared a canopy of Wham!’s “Final Christmas.”
Learn our 2014 cowl story article on Future Islands.
10. Cherry Glazerr: “Prepared For You”
Cherry Glazerr (aka Clementine Creevy) is releasing a brand new album, I Don’t Need You Anymore, on September 29 through Secretly Canadian. On Tuesday she shared its second single, “Prepared For You,” through a music video. Sarah Ritter directed the video.
Creevy had this to say concerning the track in a press launch: “‘Prepared For You’ is about being so ashamed of your self which you can’t look individuals within the eye, and it’s additionally about pushing individuals away due to being scared of wounding them with your personal bullshit. Generally I really feel scared about infecting individuals with my very own troubles, and I simply need to disguise as a result of then I can save them from myself. This track helps me transfer by it and confront these emotions of inadequacy, I hope it does that for different individuals too.”
Beforehand Cherry Glazerr shared the album’s first single, “Delicate Like a Flower.”
Yves Rothman (Yves Tumor, Blondshell, Amaarae) co-produced I Don’t Need You Anymore. The collaboration with Rothman started with a canopy of Metallica’s “My Pal of Distress” and grew into this report. “The songs on this one are songs I’ve dreamed of constructing,” Creevy stated in a earlier press launch.
After years of being on the highway, the pandemic provided a way of solace for Creevy, the place she was about to take a step again to actually take into consideration her life. “I assume I’m coming to phrases with quite a lot of my bullshit,” she stated. “Once you’re at all times leaving, you don’t have an awesome sense of the place your relationships stand, romantic or in any other case. You’re not desirous about the work that goes into sustaining them.”
It’s been 4 years since a Cherry Glazerr album, however the band shared their single “Delicate Drink” in 2021.
11. Demise Cab for Cutie: “An Arrow Within the Wall”
On Wednesday, Demise Cab for Cutie shared a model new track, “An Arrow Within the Wall,” in addition to a CHVRCHES remix of the one. CHVRCHES’ Lauren Mayberry not too long ago launched her solo profession and will probably be opening up for a few of Demise Cab’s co-headlining tour dates with The Postal Service this fall.
Demise Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard had this to say concerning the new track in a press launch: “‘An Arrow Within the Wall’ is concerning the warning indicators throughout us within the twenty first century that society-at-large is in decay. The arrow lodged within the wall may need missed this time, however it could be naive to imagine the subsequent one gained’t additionally.
“We’ve been good buddies with CHVRCHES since touring collectively in 2019. They took our maudlin little dance observe and turned it into a serious key membership banger.”
John Congleton produced “An Arrow Within the Wall.”
Gibbard is after all the frontman of each Demise Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service and this fall the 2 bands will probably be embarking on a joint tour. Demise Cab for Cutie will probably be performing their 2003 album, Transatlanticism. The Postal Service will probably be performing their 2003 album (and solely full-length), Give Up. Each are celebrating their twentieth anniversary this yr.
Again in March, Demise Cab for Cutie launched an acoustic model of their 2022 album, Asphalt Meadows, which was thought-about by many to be a real return to type, and shared the album’s cowl of Low’s “The Plan,” in addition to an acoustic model of the band’s personal “Pepper.” Andy Park (Pedro the Lion, Joseph, Noah Gunderson) co-produced Asphalt Meadows (Acoustic) with the band.
Asphalt Meadows was launched final September through Atlantic. Learn our rave overview of it right here. Learn our interview with the band about it right here. Demise Cab for Cutie’s present lineup additionally contains Nick Harmer, Dave Depper, Zac Rae, and Jason McGerr.
Honorable Mentions:
These songs virtually made the Prime 11.
A Beacon College: “KITM”
Eyedress: “The Darkish Prince” (Feat. Mac DeMarco)
Shamir: “Obsession”
Slaney Bay: “The Fall”
Solar June: “Get Collectively”
John Raymond and S. Carey: “Transient”
Right here’s a useful Spotify playlist that includes the Prime 11 so as, adopted by all of the honorable mentions:
Right here’s a bonus Spotify playlist that includes 38 of our favourite songs launched between July 15 and August 11, the weeks that we didn’t do Songs of the Week posts. So contemplate these songs to have been Songs of the Week:
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