Matt and Kim
Matt and Kim, the joyous punk duo from New York, have readied a new album for September.
Over the course of the summer they will roll out songs from Lightning.
“Let’s Go” is the first, charming as always from Matt & Kim.
Husky
Husky is an indie folk 4-piece out of Melbourne, Australia.
Last year they won a best unsigned band radio contest in their home country and subsequently signed to Sub Pop Records.
Forever So is their impressive debut.
Listen to “History’s Door” and download for free.
Turing Machine
The instrumental band Turing Machine just released What is the Meaning of What.
It is their first album in 8 years and the first since the tragic death of drummer Jerry Fuchs who died in 2009 in a freak elevator shaft accident.
Using original tracks laid down by Fuchs with assistance from Pat Mahoney, the drummer from LCD Soundsystem, Justin Chearno and Scott DeSimon entrance us with hypnotic intensity.
“Slave to the Algorithm” is a free download.
St. Vincent & David Byrne
St. Vincent and David Byrne have made a record together!
Love This Giant is due in September as is a tour.
What began as a collaboration for charity ended up as a complete album centered around a brass band.
“Who” is a free download. Listen here to this most unique duo.
Cat Power
We haven’t heard new music from the wondrous Cat Power in over 6 years.
She took the time to recover from a breakdown and substance abuse releasing only a covers album.
She returns to us with her 9th album, Sun, due in September.
“Ruin”, the first single, makes us long for the end of summer. (Free download from her website.)
Japandroids
The Japandroids rock!
The Vancouver duo of Brian King (guitar, vocals) and David Prowse (drums, vocals) blast through their 2nd album, Celebration Rock, with passion and poise.
“The House That Heaven Built” is the irresistible first single.
The Cribs
The Cribs are a British brother band: twins Gary and Ryan Jarman and younger brother Ross.
They’ve been a trio for most of their career save the last album when former Smith’s guitarist Johnny Marr joined the band. He subsequently left to pursue his solo artistry.
In the Belly of the Brazen Bull, the band’s fifth album, was released in May of this year.
“Come On, Be a No-One” is the powerful single.
Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom is a relatively new British trio.
Their 2nd album, The Looking Away, was released last month.
“Strange Attractor” is the charming first single.
Liars
Liars, the experimental rock trio, spent their formitive years in Brooklyn and recently relocated to Los Angeles.
Angus Andrew has been the only consistent member since inception and now has returned to his LA roots.
WIXIW (pronounced “wish you”) will be their 6th album and is due next week. The title is a palindrome.
“No.1 Against the Rush” is the first single.
Chromatics
Chromatics is an electronic music band from Portland, Oregon led by Adam Miller.
Kill For Love is the band’s 4th album.
Their intriguing cover of Neil Young’s “Into the Black” is the lead track, and a free download from Italians Do It Better Records.
POP ETC
In March we noted that the Morning Benders had changed their name to POP ETC.
At that time the band gave us a free mixtape as a precursor to their first album under their new moniker. It is still available on the their website.
The self-titled album is now due next month.
“Keep It For Your Own” is a free download from the record.
The Afghan Whigs
Tonight the Afghan Whigs will perform their first show in over 13 years.
Greg Dulli formed the band in 1986. The Whigs broke-up in
2001, reformed briefly in 2006 and then reunited in 2011.
“See and Don’t See” is their first new release in 5 years and is also a free download.
(The song was originally recorded in 1970 by a Southern soul singer named Marie “Queenie” Lyons who released only one album before disappearing into obscurity.)
Amanda Palmer
Amanda Palmer hasn’t recorded a proper solo album since 2008.
She’s been busy touring and recording live and occupying herself with side projects like Evelyn Evelyn, ukulele covers of Radiohead songs, theatre acting and the occasional tour with the Dresden Dolls.
Amanda Palmer & the Grand Theft Orchestra is due in September.
Via Kickstarter she has impressively raised over $800,000 to date to finance the album.
“Do It With a Rockstar” is the first song from the album and a free download.
The Walkmen
The Walkmen return with their 7th album, Heaven, at the end of the month.
Recall 2010’s Lisbon then ride the title track to Heaven.
“Heaven”