David Berman, a.k.a. Purple Mountains Photo: David Berman
Ms Nina, “Te Doy”
[Mad Decent, July 3]
Few other new releases capture the steaminess and gloom of summer ’19 as well as Ms Nina’s mixtape, Perreando Por Fuera, Llorando Por Dentro. As the title suggests, the reggaetonera and neoperreo proponent juggles depression, lust, insecurity, and creativity on tracks as varied as the staccato “Resaca” and the sex-positive “Gata Fina.” Although Perreando Por Fuera could fuel a whole night of grinding, Ms Nina also takes the time to explore consent and reciprocity. Her latest release, “Te Doy,” is a booty-shaking perreo jam with a message—Ms Nina makes it very clear what she’s looking to share, but she’s even more explicit about the fact that you’re only getting culo if and when she deems you worthy. [Danette Chavez]
Mal Blum, Pity Boy
[Don Giovanni, July 12]
Mal Blum’s first new album in four years is clear-eyed and confident, its 12 slices of probing, emphatic pop-rock chronicling a history of self-sabotage through a therapeutic lens. That’s not to say they have all the answers, though—what’s so striking about Pity Boy is how in process it feels, with Blum often dealing in conversation with their own thoughts and doubts. “Do you think that we are friends?” they thoughtfully ask on fiery opener “Things Still Left To Say,” punctuating it with a more desperate, straightforward “Are we friends?” Moments like these give Pity Boy an anxious tension that pairs well with its loose, loud riffs, the likes of which serve to elevate the album’s moments of catharsis. “See Me,” for example, oscillates between timidness and anger as it grapples with the anxieties of coming out as nonbinary and transgender, its explosive chorus resonating as an expression of both self-affirmation and frustration. [Randall Colburn]
26 Comments
Yessss thank you for this. My love for Opeth has convinced me at 34 years old to cut down on video games and start learning to play the guitar. I had my first professional lesson on Thursday and I’m pumped for the journey!
best song they’ve released since Heritage, I’m thinking. it’s gorgeous
Liking the Bleached album so far, but thought “Somebody Dial 911” immediately felt and sounded like early-80s The Cure. Like, the whole song, music and lyrics. And then later in the album she literally sings “Friday I’m in love.”Also- anybody know if this newfound sobriety had anything to do with the lineup change?And it’s kind of surprising that this talks about a newly sober band and it’s NOT talking about David Berman…
Tyco and Khurangbin just dropped new albums today too!
Hmm I am a Tycho fan but just skimming through that full album video it kinda sounds like he’s recycling himself a bit.
Haven’t listened to the whole thing yet but I’m inclined to agree so far.
Thanks for reminding me, I love khruangbin
You’re welcome!Funny story: Had the guys over to my place Wednesday night for a couple games of MTG. I put an Unknown Mortal Orchestra show on youtube and after that was over a Khruangbin show that I like rotated on. My one buddy hadn’t heard them before and basically just stared at the screen for the rest of the game because he liked the music so much. Also, fucker pulled out an infinite mana combo and won the damn game!
The power of Khruangbin, hahaha. Although I gotta say I wish it was new material and not remixes. Still good though.
Check out Africa Express’ Egoli.
New Imperial Teen today for the first time in a long time. Pretty happy about that.
Holy shit, for real?
I found out about purple mountains two weeks ago after I decided to google Silver Jews to finally find out who the vocalist was, immediately got pissed I didn’t wait a week for the new album to be out lol
Purple Mountains has quickly become my album of the year. It’s so good.
Yea I was cautiously optimistic, and then I saw Woods was the backing band, and I was excited. Then it came out, and I’m amazed. If this was a Silver Jews record, it would easily be in the top 3. I can’t stop listening to it.
The new Torche is goddamn incredible if you like a good time.
https://open.spotify.com/album/36ufOPW0tEptG0IeFAYXmn?si=b4qnqnFATqiEAl9_yykmng
I’m worried about David Berman.
Purple Mountains is amazing. But, I’m somewhat biased because I love pretty much every Silver Jews album. I’ve had Purple Mountains on for most of the morning, and so far I’d say it’s a very cohesive record. If there’s a weak track on there, I haven’t found it yet.Also, if you’re into rap, I highly recommend Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire. It’s definitely needs a few more plays on repeat, but I’m digging it a lot.
If Purple Mountains was a SJ record, it would be in the top 3, and maybe right under American Water. I never thought I’d get more Berman, let alone Berman at the top of his game playing with one of my other favorite bands.
New Goth Babe is sounding good on my headphones right now, if anyone is into that.
Dont sleep on the new DRAB MAJESTY “Modern Mirror”….
This right here. Great record. The darkwave/synthpop revival is my favorite thing happening in music right now.
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I like David Berman’s music, but whenever I think of him I picture that trucker hat guy from 30 Rock. Like, every single time.
To understand the appeal of Westside Gunn, he may be better heard than described. The Buffalo, New York rapper decorates sleepy sampled cuts with grunts and howls, imitates gunshots, and rhymes in a nasally, high-pitched voice.Yeah, that’s not exactly selling it.