Fresh Finds 03
New
/n(y)o͞o/
adjective
Not existing before; made, introduced, or discovered recently or now for the first time.
Fresh Finds is our new weekly series dedicated to “new” music discovery - where, just because it isn’t “new” doesn’t mean it isn’t new to you! We are back this week with four more Fresh Finds for your listening pleasure.
Last week swept me up in a wave and left me to tumble around in the undertow. These weeks just fly by now! And the human experience continues to expand and contract all the while. Having had a chance to catch my breath and swim to shore, we're back this week with four more records that have kept my head above water.
Muzz - (Self-Titled)
Indie / Shoegaze/ Post Punk
Paul Banks is iconic. His voice is evocative. But not all of Banks' endeavors outside of Interpol have completely stuck the landing. If anything, the solo projects (Julian Plenti is… Skyscraper, Julian Plenti Lives..., Banks) side projects (Banks & Steelz), and mixtape (Everybody On My Dick Like They Supposed To Be) all felt like experimentations of alter egos (quite literally in the first case). Muzz feels like a step beyond this body of work. Combining the musical prowess of Matt Barrick on drums (The Walkmen, Fleet Foxes) and Josh Kaufman on guitar (Bonny Light Horseman) - Muzz is an exceptional debut that sets itself apart from other "supergroups". From the strings, to the horns, to the guitar tones and solos - this is an album that begs to be performed with a full touring band.
Notable Highlights:
"Bad Feeling"
"Evergreen"
"Red Western Sky"
"Broken Tambourine"
"Knuckleduster"
"Chubby Checker"
Foals - Collected Reworks Vol. 1
Indie / Remix
Foals released two full lengths last year, their fifth and sixth LPs - Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Pt. 1 & 2. Needless to say - they've amassed quite a catalogue and quite a few remixes along the way. Collected Reworks Vol. 1 is the first of three albums the band intends to drop this year, compiling their favorite remixes old and new. The tracks on this first edition seem to have been pulled together thematically, or by vibe as opposed to chronology. I'm intrigued to hear what tricks remain up their sleeves in the next two collections.
Notable Highlights:
"Give It All - Lxury Remix"
"Mountain At My Gates - Alex Metric Remix"
"Into The Surf - Hot Since 82 Remix"
"The Runner - RUFUS DU SOL Remix"
"In Degrees - Purple Disco Machine Remix"
"Spanish Sahara - Topher Jones Remix"
"Late Night - Solomun Remix"
Chromeo - Quarantine Casanova
Electro-funk/ Synthpop
Chromeo is an act that I hold very near to my heart - a lot of distinct and fantastic memories have been soundtracked by these dudes. I was not however, Head Over Heels for their 2018 release. Did that stop me from catching them on tour with Toro Y Moi last year? Absolutely not. I've come to terms with the fact that, no matter how cheesy they get, Chromeo are THE Funklordz - and I for one welcome them as my funk overlordz. That being said, I should not be as surprised as I am by Quarantine Casanova - only Chromeo would have me grooving to a song called Clorox Wipe. This one is sure to put a smile on your face.
Notable Highlights:
Local Natives - Violet Street (Remixes)
Indie/ Remixes
One of my favorite albums of last year, Local Natives' Violet Street is an impeccable collection of songs - why not remix them? Clearly a theme of this week, and perhaps a theme we will see continue through the year - dropping a remix album right now seems like a smart business move. In any case, I'm not complaining. While there may be one too many "When Am I Gonna Lose You" remixes out in the wild for my taste - it's great to hear the rest of the record transformed and reworked.
Notable Highlights:
"Vogue - Gum & Ginoli Remix"
"Munich II - Karriem Riggins Remix"
"Shy - Dot Da Genius Remix"
"Megaton Mile - Weval Remix"
"Someday Now - Beacon Remix"
"Tap Dancer - Moon Boots Remix"