Every day we’re faced with an onslaught of album announcements so we thought we’d start sharing the soon-to-be-released love by putting together a list of the most notable and exciting album announcements on a weekly basis.
Little Dragon
Nabuma Rubberband
It’s been three long years since the release of Little Dragon’s universally acclaimed Ritual Dragon and the Swedish quartet are back with the highly anticipated release of their fourth record Nabuma Rubberband. Moving to new label Because Music (Metronomy, Major Lazer) the group defies to be tied down with parameters of genres and expectations continuing their rhythmical, moody rainbow sound on the futuristic recording primed for release on May 9.
Taking inspiration from Prince’s back catalogue and the feelings of a long, unrelenting winter the album provides a different experience from previous releases establishing themselves as a band keen to push boundaries beyond their own sound. Collaborating with artists such as SBTKRT and Gorillaz their musical horizons continue to expand further into the creative realm with the video clip for Klapp Klapp directed by Nabil (Frank Ocean, Kanye West, James Blake) further experimenting with a new scope and broadening horizons.
2014 will be the year of the dragon promising their most exhilarating record yet and propelling them into another dimension. Melding innate R&B, pop, electro and dance with the melting vocals of front woman Yukimi Nagano prepare to be slowly unravelled and taken for a ride on Nabuma Rubberband.
Nabuma Rubberband is due out May 9 via Because Music
Tracklisting:
1. Mirror
2. Klapp Klapp
3. Pretty Girls
4. Underbart
5. Cat Rider
6. Paris
7. Lurad
8. Nabuma Rubberband
9. Only One
10. Killing Me
11. Pink Cloud
12. Let Go
Saskwatch
Nose Dive
Melbourne is alive with emerging bands at the moment but few can say they’ve gone from busking the streets to owning the stage at Glastonbury in just four years. Not Saskwatch though, the Melbourne 9-peiece have cemented their spot as one of Australia’s most engaging live shows and are thrilled to announce their sophomore Nose Dive due to be released on April 11 via Northside / Remote Control Records.
Through airtime on community radio and Triple J the overwhelming reception of their single ‘Hands’ catapulted the band to success through the closing months of 2013. The group premiered their latest cut ‘Born To Break Your Heart’ a slow burning ballad about the darker side of relationships and losing control on Richard Kingsmill’s radio program on Sunday night. ‘’We recorded ‘Born To Break Your Heart’ with Magoo (Powderfinger, Regurgitator) in his converted church studio in Applewood Lane in Fernvale QLD’’ said guitarist, singer and songwriter Liam McGorry and the eeriness is felt when listening to the track.
Touring the country with a raft of festival appearances over coming months including WOMADelaide, Panama Festival and Bluesfest Byron Bay this is the next exciting chapter for the collective. Stay tuned over coming weeks for further details and a compelling video clip for their latest tune ‘Born To Break Your Heart’.
Nose Dive is out on April 11 via Northside / Remote Control Records.
Tracklisting:
No tracklisting available.
The Menzingers
Rented World
Philadelphia based punk outfit The Menzingers will return with their fourth LP, Rented World out April 18 via Epitaph Records. The long awaited follow up to the famed On The Impossible Past (2012) will see them return to the land down-under to tour with local heroes The Smith Street Band throughout March.
Now amidst a crucial period the young rockers mix up the theme of their latest effort as their perspective on the world changes. ‘’Things start to feel a little more serious’’ said Tom May (guitarist/vocals). ‘’When we were younger we wrote fiery songs because at that age it’s your world view. Now I look at the world and think ‘well maybe I’m not right all the time.’ ‘’
The first insight ‘In Remission’ highlights the coming of age of the bands members as they recognise ‘Maybe the future’s just a little bit weird’’ a key statement in building the tone of the record. Securing the services of Jonathon Low (The National, Kurt Vile) as engineer and moving to Miner Street Studio for the recording you will be consumed by snarly emo incorporated with grungy, 90’s grit and post-rock brimming with the angst of young adults trying to come to grips with being in their mid-20’s.
Rented World due April 18 via Epitaph Records.
Tracklisting:
1. I Don’t Wanna Be An Asshole Anymore
2. Bad Things
3. Rodent
4.Where Your Heartache Exists
5. My Friend Kyle
6. Transient Love
7. The Talk
8. Nothing Feels Good Anymore
9. Hearts Unknown
Holidays On Ice
The Luxury Of Wasted Space
Holidays On Ice is an inspiring collection of musicians from different music scenes that collaborate together and produce intricate sounds. Experimenting with recording and an array of instrumental sound scapes the new album is out March 31 through Cloudy But Fine.
Leading single ‘Broken’ is the finished product of seven years work by Dean Manning (Leonardo’s Bride) who took on the challenge as a personal project. The producers of the film Candy were declined the use of Velvet Underground’s ‘Sunday Morning’ by Lou Reed and put out a call for the job – as a result we get this pure and remarkable cut that is delicately pieced together. The accompanying video is just as good a creation taking several months to put together, frame by frame as homage to Molly Meldrum introducing the band on Countdown. With all the props hand-made, sewed and sourced including a miniature drum kit it’s very playful and worth the view.
Recorded in Manning’s living room onto a eight track reel and reel he states ‘I love the space, the art on the wall and my grandma’s old piano’. Running out of tape and needing to change after discovering the tape being used is no longer made and having various friends drop in during the recording Manning said ‘We got there in the end’. A tongue in cheek inspired version of emptiness The Luxury Of Wasted Space is a spirited new release to wrap your arms around.
The Luxury Of Wasted Space out March 31 via Cloudy But Fine.
Tracklisting:
No tracklisting available.
Conor Oberst
Upside Down Mountain
Singer-songwriter Conor Oberst has a new solo release on the horizon with newly signed label Nonesuch Records due May 16. In an exclusive for Record Store Day he is making available a limited edition 7-inch featuring the track Hundreds Of Ways along with Fast Friends, an album outtake on its B-side.
Upside Down Mountain due May16 via Nonesuch Records.
Tracklisting:
No tracklisting available.
