New Music Reviews (6/2)

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 Obongjayar, Sea Lemon, The Budos Band, and more. 

Obongjayar - Paradise Now (September Recordings)
For his epic 15-track sophomore album, Nigerian-born, London-based visionary Obongjayar unveils an irresistible, prismatic fusion of art-pop, alt-R&B, Afrobeats, and synth-pop. Unencumbered by genre norms, his adventurous, hook-laden arrangements showcase emphatic vocals, dizzying synths, frenzied percussion, groovy rhythms, and a myriad of sonic influences, all seamlessly woven into his infectious, singular sound. Paradise Now portrays an endlessly inspired and inspiring talent who knows no bounds. –CS

Sea Lemon - Diving For A Prize (Luminelle Recordings)
With deliciously rich textures, vivid storytelling, and compelling hooks, Seattle-based Natalie Lew presents a fully realized artistic vision on her exceptional debut full-length. Throughout Diving For A Prize, her entrancing, gauzy vocals float atop shoegaze-washed dreampop soundscapes, pulling listeners in deeper with every hazy, bittersweet note. –CS

The Budos Band - VII (Diamond West)
On their first full length album in five years, Staten Island’s The Budos Band return with their unmistakable sonic wizardry. Blending funk, Zamrock, psych, Ethio-jazz, and more, VII showcases vibrant horns, syncopated percussion, searing organ, and rippin’ guitars, all driven by electric rhythms and apocalyptic melodies. Over the past two decades, they have cultivated a magnetic signature sound that continues to evolve, highlighting their magnificent musicianship and unwavering dedication to the groove. –CS

Ty Segall - Possession (Drag City)
Nothing is permanent, but Ty Segall is forever. On his 16th studio album, the LA-based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer delivers a frenzied amalgamation of fiery guitar riffs blended with horns, keys, and strings to craft vivid soundscapes packed with killer hooks, memorable melodies, and his signature expressive vocals. Straddling the line between past and present, ‘Possession’ draws from foundational influences spanning the ‘60s to today, all filtered through Segall’s imaginative lens, resulting in an expansive and irresistible sonic experience.  –CS

Alan Sparhawk with Trampled By Turtles - Alan Sparhawk with Trampled By Turtles (Sub Pop)
The new collaborative album from longtime friends and fellow Duluth musicians Alan Sparhawk and Trampled By Turtles is a heartfelt exploration of grief, born from deep trust and mutual understanding. Guided by Sparhawk’s emotive vocals, the group weaves together guitars, fiddle, cello, banjo, and mandolin to create a captivating fusion of Americana, indie-rock and folk. Several songs were conceptualized with the late Mimi Parker, whose presence is deeply felt and lovingly honored – most poignantly through her daughter, Hollis Sparhawk, who takes the lead on “Not Broken.” With Trampled By Turtles is a remarkable tribute to friendship, love, collaboration, and unwavering support. –CS

Boy Deluxe - Black Sheep To Icon (Industry Houseplant)
The new EP from LA-via-Seattle duo Boy Deluxe is an intoxicating fusion of dark pop, electro-punk, and noise. With menacing synths and pulsing beats, Black Sheep To Icon perfectly highlights Hope S’s bewitching vocals alongside True Murra’s imaginative production, resulting in an exhilarating listen. –CS

Garbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light (BMG)
The eighth studio album from legendary Scottish-American alt-rock outfit Garbage arrives thirty years after their eponymous debut, and proves that they haven’t missed a goddamn step. With Shirley Manson’s unmistakable vocals front and center, Let All That We Imagine Be The Light pulses with dark undercurrents–from sinister synths to distorted guitars–as doom gradually gives way to hope. Manson shares: “I have to believe that music and art can still impact culture. I know it still impacts me - that mysterious power which no government on earth can co-opt or buy. Great music exists entirely within its own microcosm in a way - without any interference or corruptive influences. That’s what always makes it so pure and precious. Even though all the pointers in our society say otherwise, I do feel music still has the power to shift atoms, shift thinking and shift positions.” –CS

mariin k. - rose skin (Seksound)
mariin k. is an Estonian band led by Mariin Kallikorm, a versatile artist who has previously collaborated closely with Tricky and was part of his band for a mesmerizing Live on KEXP at Home session. Their debut album is a strong set of dreamy, fuzzy, melodic shoegaze that lyrically explores themes of womanhood, fleeting romance, fragility, and self-discovery amidst enveloping, swirling, reverb-drenched backdrops. -AR

Matt Berninger - Get Sunk (Book/Concord)
The sophomore solo album from The National’s Matt Berninger emerges after an extended period of self-doubt and writer’s block, proving that sometimes you need to Get Sunk before resurfacing with clarity and inspiration. Intricate yet restrained, this breathtaking, sweeping collection features lush arrangements including guitars, trumpet, organ, drum machine, harmonica, lapsteel, vibraphone, keyboards, and more, all anchored by Berninger’s signature vocals and poetic lyricism. –CS

MRCY - VOLUME 2 (Dead Oceans)
The combination of Kojo Degraft-Johnson’s buttery, soulful vocals and Barney Lister’s expert production results in some serious alt-R&B alchemy. Their sophomore project showcases the British duo’s confident vision and their knack for crafting truly righteous grooves through their intoxicating fusion of soul, R&B, and jazz. Speaking about the album, Lister shares: “We’re trying to extinguish fear with optimism and worry with love. VOLUME 2 breaks the mould to present a bigger picture of who we are – something with angst, surprises and more guts. The main feeling of the project is that the world is fucked but let’s dance through it.” –CS

Shura - I Got Too Sad For My Friends (Play It Again Sam)
The third studio album from London-based singer, songwriter, and producer Shura is a charming and tender set of ornate folk-tinged indie pop. Lush atmospherics frame her sweet vocals, melancholic lyricism, and enchanting chamber-pop soundscapes featuring keys, woodwinds, and a choir.  I Got Too Sad For My Friends offers an earnest exploration of depression, ultimately providing a sense of hope for reaching the other side.  –CS

Sunsick Daisy - Yonder EP (Community Music)
Kaurna/Adelaide quartet Sunsick Daisy return with their captivating and confident sophomore EP. With an expansive blend of indie-rock, dreampop, and shoegaze, Yonder boasts walls of sound, killer guitar riffs, excellent hooks, and vulnerable, relatable lyricism. Through these five tracks Sunsick Daisy sound big, bold, and ready to burst at the seams.  –CS

yeule - Evangelic Girl is a Gun (Ninja Tune)
Singaporean songwriter and producer Nat Ćmiel – aka yuele – returns with their captivating fourth studio album. Beneath dark, murky undertones, an undeniable playfulness emerges across these ten expertly produced gems. Evangelic Girl Is A Gun perfectly captures their enthralling fusion of glitch-pop, indie-rock, and trip-hop, featuring expressive vocals, distorted guitars, dynamic synths, and mesmerizing drum patterns. What a knockout. –CS

Aesop Rock - Black Hole Superette (Rhymesayers Entertainment)
Beloved, veteran, NY-born rapper/producer Aesop Rock continues to flex his twisting surrealist wordplay and psychedelic boom-bap production on his 11th studio album. Open Mike Eagle, Armand Hammer (billy woods & E L U C I D), Lupe Fiasco, Homeboy Sandman, and Hanni El Khatib bless the album with standout guest appearances. -AR

Amy Millan - I Went To Find You (Last Gang Records)
On her third solo album, and her first in over 15 years, Amy Millan reminds listeners why they first fell under her spell as a seminal member of Stars and Broken Social Scene. Across nine effervescent tracks, her pristine vocals and impressive range take center stage, carried by rich orchestral pop soundscapes. I Went To Find You marks a dreamy, swoon-worthy return. –CS

caroline - caroline 2 (Rough Trade)
The second album from this London-based eight-piece collective is a constantly shifting and often thrilling set of dynamic post-rock. Intricate and messy, euphoric and heavy, comforting and disorienting, caroline’s bold second outing is a rollercoaster experience of captivating sonic dualities, packed with unpredictable surprises, confounding electro-acoustic productions, heartfelt vocals, and a tender, adventurous spirit. Caroline Polachek appears on the standout single “Tell me I never knew that.” -AR

Erick the Architect - ARCSTRUMENTALS 3 (Architect Recording Company)
Inspired by his recent collaborations with Jungle and L'Impératrice, LA-based rapper, singer, producer, and founding member of Flatbush Zombies delivers a fresh 3-song EP that finds him stepping into his DJ/producer bag and fusing together house, R&B, hip-hop, and pop flavors for vibrant dancefloor-ready jams. Joyce Wrice and Haile Supreme make guest vocal appearances on a pair of highlights. -AR

Foxwarren - 2 (Anti-)
The second album (and 1st in nearly seven years) from this Canadian band fronted by singer/songwriter Andy Shauf is a charming collection of homespun folk songs packed with warm melodies, playful instrumentation, orchestral flourishes, and a sepia-toned nostalgic streak that’s enhanced by sampled dialogue (seemingly from a pre-1950s film) that’s implemented throughout the album. -AR

Host Family - Extended Play (Candlepin)
The debut EP from this Los Angeles-based band is an impressive set of gritty, muscular, gauzy alternative rock that confidently blurs together elements of shoegaze, post-punk, grunge, and noise-pop. -AR

Immy Owusu & Sensible J - Spiritual War EP (Hopestreet Recordings)
Ghanian/Australian singer and multi-instrumentalist Immy Owusu joins forces with South African/Australian drummer and producer Sensible J (also of Cool Out Sun) to serve up their own vibrant contemporary take on the African Zamrock music movement of the 1970s. Over its brief but vibrant run, Spiritual War confidently blends Afro rock, psych, funk, and blues to deliver “songs about injustice, insanity and the inanity of modern life in the burning house that is late capitalism.” -AR

SAVAK - SQUAWK! (Peculiar Works/Ernest Jenning)
The seventh studio album from this Brooklyn-based outfit featuring members of Obits, Holy Fuck, Boys vs. Girls & The Cops is an urgent blend of power-pop, post-punk, and garage-rock with fiery guitars, solid hooks, socially conscious lyrics, and a healthy dose of ‘80s and ‘90s nostalgia. –CS

Smerz - Big city life (Escho)
Norwegian duo Smerz – Catharina Stoltenberg and Henriette Motzfeldt – continue to pave their own cool, peculiar, singular sonic lane on their latest full-length album of leftfield synth-pop, absurdist art-pop, and fashionable avant-R&B. -AR

TAMTAM - Where They Dwell (Peoples Potential Unlimited)
Tokyo-based four-piece band TAMTAM follow-up their breakout 2024 EP Ramble in the Rainbow with a delightful mini-album that finds them bringing a more relaxed energy to their spacey, dreamy, kaleidoscopic psych-pop sound. -AR

The Minus 5 - Oar On, Penelope! (Yep Roc)
The 15th album from this long-running project captained by PNW luminary Scott McCaughey (of Young Fresh Fellows) with R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck serving as its longtime co-pilot is another solid set of back-to-basics power-pop, psych-pop, garage rock, and alt-country.  As with all The Mins 5 albums, Oar On, Penelope! is a friends-and-family effort. Kurt Bloch (Fastbacks), Linda Pitman (The Baseball Project), and Debbie Peterson (The Bangles) play throughout the album, and Patterson Hood, Spencer Tweedy, and Ed Stasium make guest appearances.  -AR