The Boy Named If
Elvis Costello & the Imposters
A sensational Elvis Costello, who has never sounded better on vinyl, gives all on this extraordinary album that has found positive reception all around. «So much of the pleasure of The Boy Named If lies in how The Imposters deliver everything from the slow-burning ballad ‘Paint the Red Rose Blue’ to the tight R&B groove of ‘Magnificent Hurt’ with the clean efficiency of a rock & roll combo. The Imposters have never sounded better on record – and they’ve never sounded more like the Attractions either, which isn’t entirely a coincidence – and that helps give The Boy Named If its infectious kick: it may feel like an old-fashioned Elvis Costello album, but it sounds entirely fresh.» (All Music)
Capitol | January 22
Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival
Anna von Hausswolff
The daughter of the Swedish avant-garde sound artist Carl Michael von Hausswolff, composer, singer-songwriter, pipe organist, musician Anna «has written and released four full-length albums: Singing From The Grave (2010), Ceremony (2012), The Miraculous (2015) and Dead Magic (2018), often recording with a cast of other musicians. Her forthcoming release, All Thoughts Fly sees Anna in solo instrumental mode. The entire record is just one solo instrument, the pipe organ, all songs written and played by Anna von Hausswolff. In Montreux, we hear six pieces; Anna performs sensational renditions of fan-favourites from The Miraculous and Dead Magic, with the backing of a full band including additional vocals from her sister, cinematographer Maria von Hausswolff.»
Southern Lord | January 22
To Human Power
Mirjam Hässig Quartet
A dream world, sometimes stormy, contemplative and suddenly a pinch of Dadaism, that’s what Aé! offers listening ears. Ayé! is characterized by the special instrumentation with harp, double bass, voice, ukulele and electronic beats. The musicians Mirjam Hässig (voice, composition, ukulele), Julie Campiche (harp, FX), Manu Hagmann (double bass, FX), Nicolas Bianco (drums, electronics) form a multifaceted team, which musically attentively responds to each other and creates a warm and captivating atmosphere. The quartet joined forces in the summer of 2019 and has been working on their independent repertoire ever since. After the debut tour, the music was recorded and released in November 2021.
The Orchard Enterprises | November 21
Laurel Hell
mistki
The sixth studio album by the Japanese American rock singer-songwriter mitski is more electronic than her previous, more guitar-driven recordings. Pitchfork quotes mitski as saying: «I needed love songs about real relationships that are not power struggles to be won or lost. I needed songs that could help me forgive both others and myself. I make mistakes all the time. I don’t want to put on a front where I’m a role model, but I’m also not a bad person. I needed to create this space mostly for myself where I sat in that gray area.» Their sweet melancholy makes mitski’s songs special. They are easy to listen and to dance to. Mitski (Mitsuki Frances Laycock) grew up in Japan and lived an international childhood before settling in the US and pursuing a musical career.
Dead Oceans | February 22
Dawn FM
The Weeknd
Abel Makkonen Tesfaye (he and mitski are both born in 1990), known professionally as The Weeknd, is a Canadian singer-songwriter and record producer. His songs are upbeat, but he had a troubled childhood. Weeknd’s lyrics speak of his amorous needs and relationships. He began releasing his own music in 2009 to almost immediate success. He has a strong voice with a good range, he has soul, and he’s street smart. That’s why The Weeknd is the real deal, in him disco meets Marvin Gaye. He has opened for Drake, played Coachella and The Brooklyn Ballroom, remixed Beyoncé’s «Drunk In Love», won a slew of prizes and became a superstar, heading the Superbowl, in February 2021.
XO | February 22