Pulin Kothari

americana

128. CLICK CLICK DOMINO by Ida Mae

There’s something oddly endearing about a couple of Brits landing across the pond and into the Americana music scene. Such is the case with Nashville transplants (by way of London) Ida Mae and this recently released 2021 record. The wife/husband duo of Stephanie Jean and Chris Turpin have

alternative

127. SOBERISH by Liz Phair

I wrote about Liz Phair’s third album here [https://auditorymusings.ghost.io/whitechocolatespaceegg-by-liz-phair/] and now I want to tell you about this 2021 record, her seventh. Writing from a more mature viewpoint that 50+ years of living life will bring, this is not going to be a rehash of

indie

126. BLUE WEEKEND by Wolf Alice

Previously covered here [https://auditorymusings.ghost.io/visions-of-a-life-by-wolf-alice/], British indie/alternative band Wolf Alice are back in 2021 with their third record. Quickly garnering 5 star reviews from the critical press, Blue Weekend has already been hailed as the foursome’s best album yet. Ranging from grunge to piano ballads

jangle punk

125. ALWAYS SOMETHING by UV-TV

Another Friday brings another new record release and another new genre…jangle-punk. This Queens, New York trio honed their chops in Gainesville, Florida before relocating to NY where this 2021 album was recorded. Clocking in at just under 30 minutes and nine tracks, there should be no filler here. The

art folk

124. SO LOW by Lowland Hum

This husband and wife duo from Virginia came up with the bold idea of re-interpreting Peter Gabriel’s landmark record, So [https://album.link/i/986800858] - in 2021 - and release it on the 35th anniversary of So’s debut. And, it works. If you’re into the mellow

shoegaze

123. SOUL VICTIM by Broken Up

This 2020 record first landed on my radar when the initial single (‘Long Long Long’) was released in late 2019. However, it somehow slipped through the cracks until I just happened to stumble upon it again recently. Part of Italy’s own darkwave/shoegaze movement, this guitar and synth heavy

pop

122. SILVER SYNTHETIC (self-titled)

Those of us yearning for the days of Laurel Canyon [https://groovyhistory.com/laurel-canyon-rock-star-1970s] inspired music need look no further than this 2021 record. This is sun-kissed pop, perfect to usher in the Spring. Not exactly the kind of music one would expect out of a band hailing from New

blues

121. CELEBRATE THE JOURNEY by Erwin Helfer and the Chicago Boogie Ensemble

This 2021 record by the famed 85-year old Chicago blues and jazz pianist is a breath of fresh air despite its harkening back to old time Dixieland jazz and blues. Accompanied by bass, drums and two saxophones, the music puts you in one of those moods - one of those

alternative

120. GISH by Smashing Pumpkins

This 1991 debut record by alt rock deities Smashing Pumpkins was critically reassessed only after the band released their 1993 sophomore smash Siamese Dream. And, oh what a revelation. The opening two tracks (‘I Am One’ and ‘Siva’) announce the foursome with a bang and a clatter (due in large

indie

119. TODAY WE’RE THE GREATEST by Middle Kids

This just released 2021 record by Australian trio Middle Kids is for fans of indie or alt rock. Gaining quite a following after the release of their debut long play in 2018, this second effort is sure to expand their reach around the globe.  Check out ‘Cellophane (Brain),’ ‘R U

blues

118. THE MOON AND STARS: PRESCRIPTIONS FOR DREAMERS by Valerie June

I’ve been waiting for this 2021 record to be released ever since I heard the first single. And, based on the additional songs that have come out in the interim, this has quickly become one of my favorite albums of the year, despite not having heard the full release.

indie

117. ZACH PERSON EP (self-titled)

I never thought I would be mentioning American Idol in this blog but, well, here we are. Houston native (from age 13) and Austin transplant Zach Person was a contestant on the show during the 2016 season. Though he didn’t make it far, he definitely got noticed. Considered a

indie

116. A BILLION LITTLE LIGHTS by Wild Pink

This 2021 record is the third release from New York City trio Wild Pink (previously discussed here [https://auditorymusings.ghost.io/yolk-in-the-fur-by-wild-pink/]). Cinematic in scope, the album is imbued with lead singer John Ross’s subtle, unassuming vocals throughout. A little indie, a little country, a little Americana - there’

lo-fi

115. SUPER MONSTER by Claud

The first artist signed to Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory label, Claud (they/them) epitomizes lo-fi bedroom pop (think Clairo) on this 2021 record. So if you’ve listened to Clairo’s album (previously covered here [https://auditorymusings.ghost.io/immunity-by-clairo/]), you know what you’re in store for. The first

indie

114. KIWANUKA by Michael Kiwanuka

This 2019 record (and winner of the 2020 British Mercury Prize) received critical acclaim from all over the planet. Considered indie folk or rock, Kiwanuka is an autobiographical concept album released just when you thought concept albums were dead. Mixing elements of soul, rock, gospel and jazz, there’s bound

indie

113. GOING TO HELL by Lande Hekt

This recently released record is by one third of the Exeter, GB-based punk trio Muncie Girls. This guitar-driven album finds Hekt singing and playing all instruments save for percussion. Billed as her ‘coming out’ record, the songs deal with very personal issues while, at the same time, backed up by

singer songwriter

112. NO PLACE by Danielle Durack

Sometimes you’re just in the mood for a good breakup record - this just released offering from previously featured [https://auditorymusings.ghost.io/bonnie-rose-by-danielle-durack/] Phoenix-based singer/songwriter (and pizza slinger!) Danielle Durack fits the bill. Check out ‘Broken Wings,’ ‘There Goes My Heart’ and ‘Eggshells.’ When her voice breaks

indie

111. TOP OF THE STAIRS by Maxband

This short, 5 song 2020 EP is the product of New York City indie rock band Parquet Courts’ drummer, Max Savage. Though in this role, he’s stepped out from behind his drum kit to share vocals and play guitar, Dave Grohl-style. The record is a mix of punk and

rock

110. I LOVE YOU BUT DAMN by Smokey Brights

Another husband/wife band out of the fertile Seattle music scene brings us this 2020 record. Kind of a mixture of modern rock and pop, the songs rock and groove simultaneously, suitable for arenas and dance floors, respectively. My favorites include ‘72,’ ‘I Love You But Damn’ and especially ‘Since

indie

109. EVERY BAD by Porridge Radio

This 2020 record from Brighton, England indie rock band Porridge Radio is reminiscent, in some ways, of 90’s grunge bands in that the loud/soft aesthetic is present in several of the tracks. “Every Bad” was a nominee for the 2020 British Mercury Prize and deservedly so. The stand-outs

indie

108. STATIC AND SILENCE by The Sundays

English indie pop band The Sundays only released three studio albums, 1997’s “Static and Silence” being their final output. Husband and wife, David Gavurin (guitars) and Harriet Wheeler (vocals), formed the core of the band. By the time this record was released, the band had mellowed out a bit,

pop

107. FALLING ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL by Holly Humberstone

This 2020 debut EP by British indie pop singer-songwriter Holly Humberstone draws comparisons to other musicians that have been featured on this blog, including Phoebe Bridgers, Haim and Sky Ferreira. Simultaneously melancholy but upbeat, Humberstone has a knack for finding a happy medium between the two emotions. The first three

rock

106. WRECKLESS ABANDON by The Dirty Knobs

Mike Campbell (guitarist for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) formed The Dirty Knobs back in 2001 with 3 other session musicians, mainly as a way to keep himself busy and occupied during downtime from the Heartbreakers. It only took about 19 years to finally put out a formal debut album.

indie

105. OH WONDER (self-titled)

There are many ways to discover new music these days (this blog, for example). I found out about this band and record recently after “Shazam-ing” the theme song of a British crime series we’re currently enjoying (Unforgotten). Turns out that this album is the debut of London-based indie pop

post punk

104. ARMED FORCES by Elvis Costello and the Attractions

On occasion of the recently released 2020 deluxe version of this 1979 record, I listened to the original from top to bottom and was reminded of just how good it is. This new wave/post-punk outing is considered Costello’s “political” album, is full of melody and it contains probably