Del Paxton - “Another Heaven”
The three songs on Del Paxton’s new Dogeared EP, surprise released earlier this month as a split 12” with Chicago emo favs Retirement Party, are among the best work the band’s done in their thirteen years together. Featuring guest vocals from Ratboys’ Julia Steiner, the extended outro on the opening track “Another Heaven” knocked me out the first time I heard it (Dylan sent me an advance stream last year) and it still hits just as hard all these months later.
The Thinking Of The World Began Pounding In Our Ears The Moment We Hit Shore - “Walk Away”
A collaborative studio experiment helmed by ambient guy/Horse Combinations blurb getter Florian TM Zeisig, the self titled record from The Thinking Of The World Began Pounding In Our Ears The Moment We Hit Shore covers a lot of ground across 40 minutes, but most reductively sounds like if Dean Blunt tried to make a Broken Social Scene record. My favorite track on the album is the uncannily dreamy “Walk Away,” full of sparkling harp and wistful vocals from Róisín Berkeley and odd tape loops provided by Cal Fish.
Fabiano Do Nascimento & Vittor Santos Orchestra - “Plateau”
Now I just don’t know if it gets much better than Vila, the gorgeous new record from Fabiano Do Nascimento & Vittor Santos Orchestra. It’s a cinematic, vivid collection of songs that could easily be pitched as a lost soundtrack to a French New Wave movie or something, full of sweeping strings, warm brass, and delicately fingerpicked guitar. This one’s going to get a lot of play while I’m hanging out on my balcony this Summer.
Antoine - “Senti, cocca mia”
Speaking of French movie music, we were watching the anthology film Paris Je T’aime and the French language version of this song, “Petite Fille, Ne Crois Pas” was playing the background of a segment directed by Olivier Assayas and I thought it was really great. For whatever reason, the only version available on Tidal is sung in Italian and slightly more polished sounding, thankfully the vinyl rip of the original, rougher but more compelling version is available on Youtube.
Lily Seabird - “Demon in Me”
See this new Lily Seabird song is why I still haven’t fully given up on post-Big Thief, cozy indie Americana! Turns out there's still room for some interesting stuff to be wrung from this specific sound. Luxuriate in the slow burn of “Demon in Me” until everything erupts in an extended, shambling climax! Can’t wait to see what’s next for Lily Seabird.
Harlan Silverman - “Stillness is Beautiful”
Bridging the gap between jazz and new age ambience, Harlan Silverman’s new album for Mississippi Records, Music For Stillness, is an extremely pleasant listen. Get some incense burning, set your intentions, and let the good vibes wash over you.
Discovery Zone & John Moods - “Hey”
I’ve been a fan of Discovery Zone since seeing her open for Jenny Hval here in Chicago a few years ago, she’s got a pair of solid LPs that I revisit pretty regularly, so I was happy to see Dreaming For Miles pop up on streaming services earlier this month. Previously a Bandcamp exclusive, the record is a collection of songs recorded with her ex-bandmate John Moods over the last few years, full of woozy pop gems like “Hey.”
Gelli Haha - “Klouds Will Carry Me To Sleep”
This new Gelli Haha song is so awesome. By this time next year everyone is gonna be nuts for Gelli Haha and if that’s not the case, everyone is wrong. This is exactly what pop music should sound like and feel like!!!
I'll be back with a final chunk of thoughts about March music soon, here's the full playlist!
This new Gelli Haha song is so awesome. By this time next year everyone is gonna be nuts for Gelli Haha and if that’s not the case, everyone is wrong. This is exactly what pop music should sound like and feel like!!!