Published on
October 14, 2022
Category
Features
Essential weekend listening.
This week’s rundown is by VF’s Kelly Doherty, alongside Emily Hill and James Hammond.
Lucrecia Dalt
¡Ay!
(Rvng Intl.)
Channelling the “sensory echoes of growing up in Colombia”, Lucrecia Dalt’s latest LP intertwines the romantic spirit of Latin American boleros with the lyrical narrative of an extra-terrestrial known as Preta, who appears as an amalgamation of discarded human skin. Such imaginative overflows and themes that connect to the extra-musical have long been part of the allure of Dalt’s work, with second selves appearing in her discography as the means for suitably untethered vocal experimentation. With ¡Ay!, the intrepid streak of Dalt’s compositions appears once again within the playful and subversive juxtapositions of folkloric Colombian music and the voice of its otherworldly protagonist.—JH
Charlotte Dos Santos
Morfo
(Because of Music)
Norwegian neo-soul singer Charlotte Dos Santos delivers a blissful package on Morfo. Dos Santos’ soothing, buttery vocals wander freely through this collection of loose, sensual music. Patient and warm, Morfo is a showcase of Dos Santos’ imaginative, vivid lyricism that never sacrifices its integrity to be overly-accessible.–KD
Mykki Blanco
Stay Close to Music
(Transgressive Records)
Featuring an assorted cast of guests including Michael Stipe, Saul Williams, Slugchrist and Devendra Banhart, Mykki Blanco’s Stay Close To Music takes steps toward a more dialled-back, organic approach. With FaltyDL on production duties again, Stay Close To Music is another exciting outing from the Californian artist.—KD
Shanti Celeste
Cutie/Shimmer
(Hessle Audio)
Shanti Celeste makes a splash with her peachy-perfect debut on the iconic Hessle Audio imprint. Comprising four tracks, including two versions of cheeky pop house cuts “Cutie” and “Shimmer”, this 12inch hits in all the right places. Both tracks find themselves in the vast genre vacuum of Shanti’s eclectic music tastes–”Shimmer” leans into her love of UKG with a wicked two-step rhythm and circular melodic synth lines whilst “Cutie” is a speedy house banger set to light up dancefloors everywhere it goes.—EH
Various Artists
Sound
(Superior Viaduct)
Released alongside exhibitions in Los Angeles and New York that sought to pool differing works in the nascent field of sonic arts, Sound presents a time capsule of diverse and outré sound practices circa 1979. Where the exhibitions, installations and performances from 44 artists at the LA Institute of Contemporary Arts and MoMA PS1 sought a sonic engagement with object and space, as a home listening experience this collection presents a condensed and alternate perspective, but one that still retains the sonic wonder and ingenuity that was on display. From rubber bands to Aeolian harps, and cat purring to the percussive wave sounds of Sydney Harbour’s Kirribilli Wharf, this long-desired reissue travels far and wide and actively provokes further investigation into the works and discographies of all involved.–JH
Brian Eno
ForeverAndEverNoMore
(UMC)
Legendary ambient artist and Roxy Music man Brian Eno is back singing for the first time in nearly 17 years on ForeverAndEverNoMore. On his 22nd solo studio album, Eno uses his expansive sound experiments to discuss and examine the climate emergency and future of humanity. — KD
PVA
BLUSH
(Ninja Tune)
International electronic stalwart Ninja Tune releases the highly anticipated debut album of the GRAMMY-nominated South London trio, PVA. Touching on a formula of disco, acid, blistering synths and a refreshingly cathartic dancefloor post-punk, the trio bring a lot to the table across the eleven tracks. The music is raw and affirming. Offering the listener a space to heal in chaos, BLUSH demonstrates a great sense of maturity in the band’s musical style. This is felt most in the single “Hero Man” where Harris’ inward-looking lyrics express the complications of a restrictive relationship.— EH
Various Artists
John Sinclair Presents Detroit Artists Workshop
(Strut)
Made up of live recordings spanning from the Detroit Artists Workshop performances of 1965 to 1981, this compilation is a rich snapshot of the Detroit jazz scene. Featuring performances from Donald Byrd, Bennie Maupin, Teddy Harris and more, John Sinclair Presents Detroit Artists Workshop is a smooth ride. — KD
Sam Gendal
Blueblue
(Leaving Records)
Los Angeles multi-instrumentalist, Sam Gendal, builds a consistent and seamless mood throughout his latest solo album. Blueblue is a soothing ambient jazz release that avoids aimless experimentation, instead favouring deliberate, economical instrumentation. Despite in a sound that could easily fade into the background, Blueblue engages its listener through repeat motifs, warm guitar-playing and intimate textures. Music to calm your brain with, in an increasingly stressful world.– KD
The 1975
Being Funny In A Foreign Language
(Dirty Hit)
Indie-pop darlings, The 1975, return under the watchful eye of pop producer maestro Jack Antonoff. Being Funny In A Foreign Language is a strong return to form for the band–dialling back on the indulgence and unnecessary running times of recent releases. Playing to the band’s strengths, this release goes back to basics and builds around the lyrics and vocals of frontman Matty Healy. Self-aware, melodic pop-rock that is a perfect bedfellow for late-night thoughts.—KD
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