Every Friday, 88Nine music director Erin Wolf and Lilliput Records co-owner Tanner Musgrove tell you about the new albums you can’t miss on a new episode of On Vinyl. Check out their top picks and a list of this week’s other releases, and listen to their full conversation using the player on this page or on the 88Nine airwaves at 1 p.m. every Friday.
There’s a nice, soft haze covering this week’s picks. Maybe it was the golden hour when all these little gems were born, but whatever the case, there’s much to be had in the way of sweet sounds.
If you veer toward the more introverted end of the spectrum, step into the world that San Francisco’s Cindy and New York’s Widowspeak both create. One is a shade more melancholic. but both are good for strolls on long pre-summer evenings.
If you crave something gently thoughtful yet collaborative, Swiss Army Knife musician / songwriter / podcaster Hrishikesh Hirway’s got you. A songwriting retreat inspired his new solo record, but it’s the musical friends (including Sam Beam and Ken Pomeroy) who really add a special element to this full-length filled to the brim with genuine appeal.
Finally and surprisingly, Of Montreal’s newest album has some soft moments on it, too. Written amidst the untangling of a betrothal, Kevin Barnes’ songs veer between his traditional acerbic wit with sharper pop edges to something more organic and twangy with almost a sigh of adventurous resignation.
Dive into all these soft realms by visiting your favorite record shop to pick up some fresh wax — and Happy New Music Friday!
Best new albums out June 5
of Montreal, aethermead
The longtime pop project of Kevin Barnes, of Montreal’s newest album is a confessional effort following the split from his fiancée. A lot of this record’s songs were built around Barnes’ transition between life as a Vermontner to living in Brooklyn after the parting of ways, and there are a lot of mixed emotions to be had. His trademark nasally snarl ventured into the vindictive and wistful modes on the lead singles, and there are moments of punk and pastoral psychedelia throughout the album as a whole.
For vinyl enthusiasts, there are a couple options Polyvinyl Records has put out: a limited edition pressed on neon orange in cloudy clear with black-and-white splatter, and just plain old cloudy clear.
Hrishikesh Hirway, In the Last Hour of Light
If you’ve listened to Song Exploder, you’ll recognize Hirway’s voice instantly. He’s been a host and producer of that podcast for a long while, but he’s also made music as The One AM Radio while composing for film and TV on top of everything else.
For his solo record, Hirway retreated and yet reached out to get inspiration. We both love how this album came together with so many collabs. It actually started at a week-long songwriting retreat, and Hirway was so worried about wasting the opportunity that he reached out to some pretty cool musical friends to keep him inspired: Sam Beam of Iron & Wine, Melina Duterte of Jay Som, Elle Kempner of Palehound and Ken Pomeroy, among others.
Snag this one on a luminescent, iridescent gold vinyl from Keeled Scales.
Widowspeak, Roses
Molly Hamilton and Robert Earl Thomas are the brains and beauty behind the New York-based indie-twang duo who just released their seventh studio effort. Widowspeak are really great at mixing country elements with soft and breathy vocals, leaning heavily into both cowboy pop and shoegaze; they’ve got that Mazzy Star appeal on lock.
If you want to see the duo live, you can catch them at the Argo on June 27. For those wanting to get their hands on a physical copy of Roses, a cobalt blue variant is available at a local record shop near you via Captured Tracks Records.
Cindy, Another Country
Released digitally on May 1, Cindy’s fifth and latest full-length album is now officially gracing record-store shelves. Led by songwriter and guitarist Karina Gill, the San Francisco band have ingrained themselves in the lo-fi, slowcore scene via songs with a very hazy and melancholic feel and lyrics that truly paint a picture, making listeners feel like a fly on the wall in one of their daydreams.
Another Country is available on black vinyl from Tough Love Records at an indie shop near you.
More of our picks
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