Another week, another round of new music! This week, we’ve got a diverse lineup featuring Jesca Hoop, Lupe Fiasco, Sinkane, and The Sadies.
Jesca Hoop, Memories Are Now
If you’re a fan of women vocalists — Adele, Tori Amos, Lana del Rey, et al — add Jesca Hoop to your playlist if you haven’t already. Her latest album, Memories Are Now comes out this Friday. Her music is an eclectic mix of folk and pop with dashes of bluegrass and classical blended in. The fifth track, “Cut Connection,” even has a bit of a Tom Waits feel to it which isn’t too surprising considering she used to be the nanny to his kids. When Hoop released her debut album, Kismet, Waits described her music as “a four-sided coin,” adding that Hoop is “an old soul, like a black pearl, a good witch or a red moon.” On Memories Are Now, Hoop sings about religion (“Songs of Old” and “The Coming”), mythology (“Pegasi”), and personal heartbreak (“The Lost Sky”.) You can stream Memories Are Now on NPR.
Tracklist:
1. Memories Are Now
2. The Lost Sky
3. Animal Kingdom Chaotic
4. Simon Says
5. Cut Connection
6. Songs of Old
7. Unsaid
8. Pegasi
9. The Coming
Lupe Fiasco, DROGAS Light
“I get the hint God. Yo Lupe fans it’s been it’s been fun and I hope you’ve had fun. I’m officially not releasing anymore music. Albums cancelled.” Lupe Fiasco tweeted those exact words back on December 13, 2016. And yet here we are waiting on the release of DROGAS Light this Friday. Much like his previous albums, Fiasco’s latest includes infectious hooks, references to social issues, and numerous collaborations. Jake Torrey joins Fiasco for “Wild Child,” a track that’s more radio-friendly pop than hip-hop. Tracks like “Jump,” on the other hand, have more of an Atlanta-style sound. But it’s “Tranquillo”, featuring Rick Ross and Big K.R.I.T., that could end up being one of the album’s biggest hits.
Tracklist:
1. Dopamine Lit (Intro)
2. NGL (ft. Ty Dolla $ign)
3. Promise
4. Made in the USA (feat. Bianca Sings)
5. Jump (feat. Gizzle)
6. City of the Year (feat. Rondo)
7. High (Interlude)
8. Tranquillo (feat. Rick Ross & Big K.R.I.T.)
9. Kill (feat. Ty Dolla $ign & Victoria Monet)
10. Law (feat. Simon Sayz)
11. Pick Up the Phone
12. It’s Not Design (feat. Salim)
13. Wild Child (feat. Jake Torrey)
14. More Than My Heart (feat. Rxmn & Salim)
Sinkane, Life & Livin’ It
If you’re looking for something with a little bit of funk to it, check out Sinkane’s new album, Life & Livin’ It. The first single, “U’Huh,” has a bit of a Latin beat to it which works perfectly with the song’s positive message. If you catch yourself singing along, you’ll want to know this phrase: kulu shi tamaam. It’s Arabic for “everything is great!” The second single, “Telephone,” is a bit more disco than funk, but it’s still a lot of fun. While Sinkane’s sound is far from reggae, it’s reminiscent of Bob Marley’s music — social commentary that you can dance to.
Tracklist:
1. Deadweight
2. U’Huh
3. Favorite Song
4. Fire
5. Telephone
6. Passenger
7. Theme From Life & Livin’ It
8. Won’t Follow
9. The Way
The Sadies, Northern Passages
Neko Case fans already know The Sadies as Case’s backing band, but the Canadian country rockers have produced quite a prolific discography of their own. This Friday, they’ll release their tenth studio album, titled Northern Passages. The Sadies have worked with some pretty stellar collaborators and they’ll do the same on this new album. Joining them on the track “It’s Easy (Like Walking)” is one of their former tourmates, Kurt Vile. If you’re looking for something to get you on your feet, check out “Another Season Again”.
1. Riverview Fog
2. Another Season Again
3. There Are No Words
4. It’s Easy (Like Walking) (feat. Kurt Vile)
5. The Elements Song
6. Through Strange Eyes
7. God Bless the Infidels
8. The Good Years
9. As Above, So Below
10. Questions I’ve Never Asked
11. The Noise Museum
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That’s a pretty assorted mix for this week. Hopefully you’ll find something you like. Be sure to pop by next Tuesday and see what’s new for next week.