New Music Reviews (4/28)

Each week, Music Director Chris Sanley and Associate Music Director Alex Ruder share brief insights on new and upcoming releases for KEXP's rotation. These reviews help our DJs decide on what they want to play. See what we added this week below (and on our Charts page), including new releases from Emma-Jean Thackray, Deerhoof, Femi Kuti, and more. 

Emma-Jean Thackray - Weirdo (Brownswood Recordings/Parlophone Records)
Calling all weirdos! Producer, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Emma-Jean Thackray unveils an ambitious, bewitching new body of work. Written, recorded, mixed, and produced in her South London flat, Weirdo is an entirely solo endeavor – save for a couple of key features from Reggie Watts and Kassa Overall – and rightly so. These 19 tracks are an “exploration of selfhood, grief, and gratitude,” as Thackray weaves a rich, eclectic sonic tapestry influenced by jazz, soul, pop, and more. Defying genre boundaries, this sophomore album is an exceptional odyssey, filled with endless grooves, stellar arrangements and smooth, expressive vocals–welcoming listeners to join her “in the beyond.” –CS

Deerhoof - Noble and Godlike in Ruin (Joyful Noise Recordings)
The undeniable force of nature that is Deerhoof has been “keepin it boxy and harsh since 1994,” constantly reinventing their delightfully chaotic sound. Fronted by singular vocalist Satomi Matsuzaki, the experimental art-pop outfit grips listeners with angular guitars, abrasive arrangements, and thought-provoking, socially conscious lyricism, as they remain steadfast in their commitment to innovative, captivating soundscapes. Noble and Godlike in Ruin is one hell of a 20th album. –CS

Femi Kuti - Journey Through Life (Partisan)
The latest album from legendary Nigerian musician Femi Kuti (eldest son of Fela Kuti)  is another strong set of vibrant, celebratory, commanding Afrobeat packed with pulsating rhythms, locked-in grooves, funky horns, robust instrumentation, and Femi’s passionate lyrics that preach uplifting messages and speak out against political corruption and social injustice. -AR

Fly Anakin - (The) Forever Dream (Lex Records)
On his second studio album, Richmond, Virginia’s Fly Anakin proves that teamwork makes the dream work. With Quelle Chris on board as executive producer and a diverse cast of collaborators – including Big Kahuna OG and Sycho Sid (of course), Pink Siifu, BbyMutha, The Alchemist, $ilkMoney, lojii, Nickelus F, Turich Benjy, Demae, and more – (The) Forever Dream showcases adventurous production, pointed lyricism and effortlessly cool flows. The result is an enthralling listen that encapsulates the alchemy born of trusting collaboration. –CS

Flying Mojito Bros - Just Passing Through (Ubiquity)
Flying Mojito Bros are a London-based “Desert Disco & Outlaw House” DJ/production duo crafting a distinctive blend of panoramic Americana-tinted disco-pop and fresh, groovy, psychedelic yacht rock. While they’ve been trickling out remixes, DJ mixes, singles, and EPs for almost a decade, Just Passing Through is their first collection of original music and it’s a joyful, confident, sun-kissed journey packed with steady dance beats, squiggly synths, fuzzy guitar riffs, airy vocals, and an alluring, kaleidoscopic, uniquely twangy vibe. -AR

Julien Baker & TORRES - Send A Prayer My Way (Matador)
The collaborative queer country album from Julien Baker & Mackenzie Scott – aka TORRES – is something sapphic souls once thought they could only dream of. On Send A Prayer My Way, Baker and Scott alternate lead vocal duties, weaving gut-wrenching lyricism with classic song structures, and a delectable twang, brought to life through fiddle, pedal steel, banjo, mandolin, and Rhodes. With their signature voices and impeccable songwriting, the duo enraptures listeners “all the way.” –CS

Samia - Bloodless (Grand Jury)
The third studio album from (newly) Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter Samia is a true stunner. From spare, intimate folk ballads to lush, ornate indie pop tracks, Bloodless delves into the complexities of human emotion through raw, poetic lyricism, vivid storytelling and textured arrangements – leaving listeners hanging on every word. –CS

SAULT - 10 (Forever Living Originals)
The twelvth album and latest surprise album from this super prolific and consistently on-point UK collective led by British producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Inflo and featuring the exquisite lead vocals of Cleo Sol is another mesmerizing journey through their groovy, sublime, smartly-crafted brand of R&B/funk-inflected gospel/soul music. First made available briefly on Friday April 18th, quickly deleted from streaming services, and re-added on Sunday April 20th in “a seeming reference to the death and resurrection of Jesus,” 10 includes a steady dose of inspirational God-focused lyrics while simultaneously capturing SAULT’s immaculate vibe and Inflo’s classic production touches throughout, with the bookends containing some seriously tasty and lively highlights. -AR

Sunflower Bean - Mortal Primetime (Lucky Number)
NYC’s Sunflower Bean continue down the heavy rock path they revisited with last year’s Shake EP, while taking some surprising twists and turns on their fourth album – their first ever self-produced. Weaving in elements of psych and dream pop, the trio’s hard-hitting alt-rock, featuring ferocious guitars and propulsive drums, is softened by a tender touch and nostalgic nods to the ‘80s and ‘90s. Mortal Primetime is a dynamic, accessible listen, that showcases a band in its prime, constantly evolving. –CS

Ana Tijoux & Hordatoj - SERPIENTE DE MADERA (Altafonte)
The latest EP from renowned Chilean rapper Ana Tijoux finds her reuniting with longtime collaborator Hordatoj – aka Chilean artist Jota Droh, producer behind her 2009 breakout album 1977 – for a sharp set of magnetic '90s-influenced hip-hop with Tijoux’s charismatic delivery and bilingual raps sounding great over Hordatoj’s colorful boom-bap beats. -AR

Bells Larsen - Blurring Time (Royal Mountain)
On his sophomore album, Montreal’s Bells Larsen delivers an intimate, heartfelt collection of indie folk gems that quite literally blur the boundaries of time. Across nine vulnerable tracks, he harmonizes his current “low” voice – recorded after beginning testosterone – with his earlier recorded “high” voice. This stunning union of past and present selves offers a beautiful reflection on the journey to the core of one’s most authentic being. –CS

Brat - Welcome Back (self-released)
Engineered and produced by Ryan Devlin of Smokey Brights and Mega Cat, the second album from this Seattle trio featuring members with lineages to local bands See Me River, Salmon Thrasher, The Ironclads, and What What Now is another sweet blast of scrappy garage rock, noisy garage punk, and soaring indie rock with a rough-around-the-edges DIY charm. –AR

Davido - 5ive (Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited)
The fifth studio album from breakout Atlanta-born, Lagos-raised Nigerian vocalist/producer Davido (aka David Adedeji Adeleke aka “The King of Afrobeats”) is another sharp set of vibrant Afrobeats with a sleek global R&B/pop streak that’s full of soaring melodies, magnetic beats, smart hooks, and a celebratory, feel-good spirit. -AR

Jawdropped - Just Fantasy EP (Fire Talk)
The debut EP from this LA band is a strong set of grungy power pop with a full-bodied sound, smart songwriting, sweet male/female overlapping vocals from Roman Zangari and Kyra Morling, and nuance. “Music for thinking about moving to New York, but never leaving Los Angeles,” Jawdropped introduce themselves with a strong collection of big, memorable, straight-forward rock songs. -AR

Jensen McRae - I Don’t Know How But They Found Me! (Dead Oceans)
The sophomore album from LA-based Jensen McRae finds the artist leaning into bigger production with Brad Cook, infectious pop-country hooks, and – of course – her beautiful, breathy vocals. Steeped in deep emotion and anchored by her strong songwriting, I Don’t Know How But They Found Me! is a bold step forward for McRae. –CS

Real Lies - We Will Annihilate Our Enemies (Tonal Recordings)
The third album from this London duo of singer/lyricist Kev Kharas and producer Patrick King is another transportive set of pulsating, cinematic, nostalgia-soaked dance-pop that finds Kharas and his distinctive spoken-word delivery lyrically reminiscing over King’s richly-textured, rave-tinted, euphoric beats. -AR

Romano - Güle Güle (Batov)
The debut solo album from Tel Aviv-based synthesizer wizard Lior Romano, a hidden creative force behind much of his homecity’s vibrant musical scene, is a strong set of vibrant, funky, psychedelic instrumental grooves with a colorful cross-cultural vision. Rotem Bahar appears on the album’s lone vocal-assisted track “Hai Hai” for a distinctive, immediate highlight. -AR

Salami Rose Joe Louis - Lorings (Brainfeeder)
The latest from singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Lindsay Olsen – aka Salami Rose Joe Louis – is a spellbinding, genre-hopping journey, featuring dizzying synths and samples, syncopated rhythms, and raw, personal lyricism that explores love, heartbreak, family, and humanity (or the lack thereof). Lorings finds Olsen inventively blending elements of art pop, electronic, and experimental jazz into a truly captivating collection–one that solidifies her as one of our most innovative contemporaries. –CS

Tennis - Face Down in the Garden (Mutually Detrimental)
For their seventh and final album, Denver husband-and-wife duo Tennis (Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley) ride into the sunset with another solid collection of the breezy, dreamy, low-key catchy indie pop that has defined their super consistent 15-year run together. “After finishing Face Down In The Garden, it became clear that we had said everything we wanted to say and achieved everything we wanted to achieve with our band. This will be our last studio album, at least in this configuration as Tennis. We are ready to pursue other creative projects and to make space in our lives for new things.”  -AR

Uwade - Florilegium (Ehiose Records/Thirty Tigers)
The debut album from Nigerian-born, North Carolina-raised musician Uwade is a stunning collection of vibrant indie folk. Veering into chamber-pop territory with layered piano, viola, organ, trumpet, synths and entrancing, expressive guitars, her warm, emotive vocals shine across these nine breathtaking tracks. –CS

Wishy - Planet Popstar EP (Winspear)
The new EP from Indianapolis-based power pop darlings Wishy is another engaging set of indie rock, indie pop, shoegaze, dream pop – complete with infectious hooks, melodic guitars, and the perfect amount of haze. Recording during the same sessions as their 2024 debut album, Triple Seven, Planet Popstar is a solid collection of b-sides that reveals additional layers of depth.  –CS