New Music Reviews (10/12)

BALTHVS - Manifest (Mixto)

The fifth studio album from Bogotá-based trio BALTHVS is an insanely groovy, rapturous set of global psych. With spellbinding arrangements one can just melt into, ‘Manifest’ feels equal parts free and fluid, intricate and impassioned. Fusing elements of jazz, rock, electronic, Ethiopian, Latin and funk music with a soulful, hazy blend of guitars, percussion, and the occasional dreamy vocal, BALTHVS continue to carve out a distinct lane for themselves in the neo-psych landscape. –CS

Danielle Ponder - Everything Has Changed (Dead Oceans)

Powerhouse singer-songwriter Danielle Ponder returns with her highly anticipated sophomore album. Guided by her inimitable, expressive vocals, ‘Everything Has Changed’ finds Ponder searching, both internally and externally, as she shapes her next chapter and finds power in controlling the narrative. Backed by rich, groove-forward arrangements of keys, guitars, strings, and percussion, this dynamic fourteen-track collection of alt-R&B and soul magic celebrates an artist coming into her own with confidence, grace, and vision. –CS

Dawn Richard - creole culture (Merge)

Multidisciplinary artist Dawn Richard returns with the final piece of her New Orleans-themed triptych. While never beholden to one genre, ‘creole culture’ sounds distinctly Richard. With a vibrant blend of R&B, soul, hip-hop, and jazz filtered through an unmistakable NOLA lens, these eleven tracks celebrate tradition, family, love, Afrofuturism, self-worth, and resilience. Bold, profound, and utterly infectious, ‘creole culture’ is another defining feather in Richard’s technicolor headdress. –CS

Death Valley Girls - Welcome to Earth (Suicide Squeeze)

The sixth studio album from quintessential LA psych-punk outfit Death Valley Girls is a reckoning: with loss, grief, and joy. Arriving in the wake of California’s devastating Eaton fire, during which lead singer and songwriter Bonnie Bloomgarden lost her home and, shortly after, her beloved dog, ‘Welcome to Earth’ finds the band grappling with endings and new beginnings. Through a muddy amalgamation of guitars, saxophone, organ, and drums, the sextet, including the recently departed Gregg Foreman, serves up a vibrant sonic tapestry with dark undertones, unwilling to let catastrophe define them while acknowledging its impact. These nine compelling tracks celebrate community and resilience with an undeniable Death Valley Girls flair. –CS

Dina Summer - Children of the Night (Iptamenos Discos)

The third album from this Berlin-based collaborative project from Bavarian electronic producer Kalipo (aka Jakob Häglsperger) and Greek-German husband/wife duo Local Suicide (Maximilian Brudi and Konstantina Paschalidou) is another sweet and compact set of dancefloor-primed darkwave jams that stirs together a love for dark disco, EBM, Italo disco, new wave, techno, industrial, synth-pop, and electroclash into their gothy, groovy brew. –AR

Growing Pains - Daniel Loves Mandy Forever (Photo Finish Records)

Portland, OR quartet Growing Pains make one helluva splash with their debut full-length. With emotive lyricism, scrappy power chords, and explosive percussion, ‘Daniel Loves Mandy Forever’ moves through anthemic coming-of-age rockers, reflections on near-death experiences, and ruminations on the complexities of romance with focused intensity. Drawing inspiration from indie rock, power pop, shoegaze, and dream pop, Growing Pains have crafted a distinct, gripping sound that feels right at home here in the PNW. –CS

Girl Ultra - RRRomeo (Big Dada)

Mexico City-based singer-songwriter Girl Ultra, aka Mariana de Miguel, returns with her vivacious third studio album. Co-produced with electro-funk duo Chromeo, ‘RRRomeo’ veers into new sonic territory for Girl Ultra, featuring a mesmerizing blend of indie pop, R&B, dub, and rock, appearances from Buscabulla, Jean Tonique, Empress Of, and Chromeo themselves, and lyrics sung in both English and Spanish. The result is a bright set of infectious tunes with funky bass lines and sparkling synths that explore friendship, heartbreak, and intimacy –CS

Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith - RUIN: It’s Not Just Music (Someone Special)

LA-based, PNW-bred DJ, producer, and composer Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith releases her eleventh studio album, marking the inaugural release for her co-founded label Someone Special with James Daniel. Described in a string of phrases including “sonic combat” and “sound for those drawn to beauty at the point of fracture,” Smith presents an arsenal of synths, beats, samples, and vocal manipulations with a sense of urgency without sacrificing the groove. With a magnetic fusion of drum ‘n’ bass and UK garage with a pop sensibility, ‘RUIN: It’s Not Just Music’ is a real “dance through the chaos, baby” kinda record. –CS

Sweetie - Dogtooth (Blossom Rot)

The debut album from this Sydney-based trio who make “Tuff songs for sad girls” is a strong set of ripping garage rock, muscular indie rock, and captivating post-punk jams with an infectious Riot grrrl energy. The razor-sharp songs on ‘Dogtooth’ vocally fluctuate between conversational talk-singing – reminiscent of contemporaries like Wet Leg and Dry Cleaning – and commanding straight-forward deliveries, and Sweetie handle both styles with a charismatic confidence for an exceptional under-the-radar introduction. –AR

AZ Chike - No Rest for the Wicked (Warner)

The seventh studio album (and major label debut) from this LA-based rapper who’s been steadily grinding over the past decade and recently appeared on tracks with Kendrick Lamar and ScHoolboy Q is a solid set of charismatic, hard-hitting, unflinching West Coast rap. Co-executive produced by Kendrick Lamar, ‘No Rest for the Wicked’ is a breakout record for AZ Chike that also features standout guest appearances from Tyler, the Creator and JMSN, and production assists from Pharrell Williams, Terrace Martin, Taylor McFerrin, Tyler, the Creator, Sounwave, Hit-Boy, and more. –AR

Benny Sings - 22 Durnham Dew (Stones Throw)

The latest album from Dutch musician Tim van Berkestijn (aka Benny Sings) is a delightful set of melodic, buoyant, soulful pop that’s an “intimate portrait of domestic life, love, and the everyday experiences that have shaped Benny’s world” following his family’s recent relocation from bustling Amsterdam to the quiet countryside. Benny Sings’ homespun pop music has always exhibited a classic and carefree sophistication, and it's taken to a more personable level on ‘22 Durnham Dew’ through his relatable lyrics grappling with aging and parenthood while still retaining his knack for crafting exquisite arrangements and crispy beats. Baby Rose, Tune-Yards, Ana Tijoux, and Elijah Fox make guest appearances. –AR

Cherry Cheeks - D.O. And the Bytes (Total Punk)

The third album from this project of Portland-via-Orlando musician Kyle Harms is an awesome set of dizzying synth-punk and giddy egg punk that’s fast, frenetic, and fun. There’s a conceptual story buried in here about the album’s “digital hero” D.O. trying to escape from Reapers who are attempting to erase his memory, and this comic-book storyline adds to the album’s captivating, cartoonish pulse. –AR

Gayance - roaming (Tru Thoughts)

The sophomore album from Montreal-born, Lisbon-based DJ, producer, songwriter, and multidisciplinary artist Gayance is a bold expression of global club culture. Described as a “sonic travelogue born of a decade in transit,” ‘roaming’ finds Gayance doing just that across Brazil, Brussels, and Amsterdam, among other territories. Drawing from house, UK garage, R&B, Haitian Kanaval, and dance music, these seven tracks pack a serious punch guaranteed to get ya moving. –CS

Imperial Teen - All Over You (Merge)

The seventh studio album from San Francisco-based quartet Imperial Teen is a classic slice of indie pop, indie rock, and power pop goodness. Boasting catchy hooks, excellent guitar riffs, bright keys, driving bass lines, and sweet harmonies, ‘All Over You’ is another solid set from these Bay Area mainstays. –CS

Jonathan Personne - Répertoire (Bonsound)

Jonathan Personne is the solo alias of Jonathan Robert, a Montreal-based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and frontman for Sub Pop band Corridor. His fifth album under the alias is a lovely sweet of dreamy psych-pop with Jonathan largely singing in French atop his warm, lush, welcoming arrangements. –AR

Karen y Los Remedios - Bestiaria (ZZK)

The sophomore album from Mexican trio Karen y Los Remedios, led by singer-songwriter Ana Karen G. Barajas, is a hypnotic fusion of cumbia, dream pop, and trip-hop. Inspired by major life moments like giving birth, writing a PhD, and navigating Covid, these twelve consuming tracks honor the power and divinity of the feminine. With intoxicating rhythms, vivid arrangements, and spellbinding vocals, ‘Bestiaria’ is a thoroughly riveting listen. –CS

Keshavara - Moondram Sevi (Papercup)

The fourth album from this Cologne-based four-piece band led by German-Indian musician Keshav Purushotham is a strong set of vocal-laced global grooves featuring a colorful, kaleidoscopic, melting pot sound sprinkled with disco, funk, psych, Krautrock, Balearic, dub, and Bollywood flavors. Indian-born singer/songwriter and longtime Seattleite Sahana Naresh appears on three standout tracks. –AR

Late Aster - Recall, Recall (Outhere)

The sophomore album from San Francisco’s Late Aster, composed of classically trained musicians Aaron Messing and Anni Hochhalter, is a revelation. Through a transfixing blend of electronic, art pop, jazz, and experimental soundscapes built from synths, horns, guitars, drums, and distortions, the duo crafts new planes of existence with these dreamy, transportive compositions. While complex and nuanced, ‘Recall, Recall’ is also comforting and measured, offering an inventive breath of fresh air. –CS

Margo Cilker - Little White Cross (Fossil)

The third album from this Goldendale, WA-based artist is a solid set of Americana, country-folk, and roots-tinged rock featuring a poignant collection of originals and thoughtful covers – including Christy Hays’ powerful title track, her close friend Sera Cahoone’s 2017 song “Ladybug” and Tom Petty’s 1996 gem “Walls” – that grapple with the harsh realities of modern-day life and its seemingly neverending barrage of heartbreaks and tragedies. Recorded in Texas with Bruce Robinson, who gives the album a fitting naturalistic touch, ‘Little White Cross’ is once again a friends-and-family affair with Margo joined by a close-knit crew of collaborators, including her “pedal steel secret weapon” Eric Heywood, his lyrical playing enhancing the album’s bittersweet tone. –AR

Teilz - come to mommy (Love Streams)

Teilz is the alias of LA-based DJ, producer, singer, songwriter, and model Allie Teilz, a multi-faceted artist who has long been immersed in the LA and NYC club scenes. No stranger to spinning at high-profile DJ nights and curating star-studded events, Teilz saunters fully into the spotlight with her charismatic debut album of playful dance-pop and slinky synth-pop. Longtime friends Nick Sylvester (Channel Tres, Shamir, Yaeji, Isola, PawPaw Rod) and Jorge Elbrecht (Japanese Breakfast, Wild Nothing, Sky Ferreira) contribute co-production throughout ‘come to mommy,’ a title that nods to her interweaving identity as a both a nightlife starlet and mother raising children from previous relationships with Spike Jonze and Alfie Allen. –AR

The Exbats - My Dinner With Crumar (Canon Bat)

The Exbats are a Bisbee, Arizona-based band formed by singer/songwriter/drummer Inez McLain (when she was just 10 years old!) and her vocalist/guitarist father Kenny McLain. Recorded and engineered by Caufield Schnug of Sweeping Promises, their latest album is a super fun set of lo-fi garage-pop and scrappy power-pop that makes up for its lack of hi-fi sheen with sharp songwriting, entertaining lyrics, big hooks, and a DIY charm. The album’s title is a reference to The Crumar Orchestrator, a mid-70s Italian String Synth the band discovered while recording the album in Lawrence, Kansas that ended up being used on all but one of the album’s 12 tracks. –AR

The Sewing Club - Sew (Born Losers)

Nashville quartet The Sewing Club make an impressive introduction with their debut album. Driven by fuzzy guitars and Hannah McElroy’s bittersweet vocals, ‘Sew’ is immediate, emotionally raw, and chock-full of compelling hooks, marking a stellar first full-length from this young band on the rise. –CS

V.V. Lightbody - Period Piece (Egghunt Records)

The third studio album from Chicago-based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer V.V. Lightbody is a delightful set of ornate, melancholic art pop. With lush arrangements of keys, guitars, flute, percussion, organ, and pedal steel, ‘Period Piece’ is airy and moody, weaving elements of folk and samba into her captivating, dreamlike soundscape. –CS