1. Swamp Dogg - Love, Loss, and Auto-Tune (Joyful Noise Recordings)
Swamp Dogg is an R&B artist who has been putting out music for 50 years. He’s an outsider, a weirdo, and on his most recent album he took a chance and used heavy auto-tune to convey his message and music. He worked with Polica’s Ryan Olsen, Bon Iver, Guitar Shorty and more to put out his new album ‘Love, Loss, and Auto-tune.’ It’s definitely one of the more unique things you’ll hear this year.
What We’re Playing Off The Record: "I’m Coming With Lovin’ On My Mind"
Recommended If You Like: Bon Iver, Frank Zappa, Gayngs
2. Maribou State - Kingdoms In Colour (Counter)
UK duo Maribou State are back with their sophomore album Kingdoms In Colour working with longtime collaborator Holly Walker and down-tempo world music artist Khruangbin. They blend beats and world instruments to create highly textured deeply melodic songs that are a truly unique blend they can call their own.
What We’re Playing Off The Record: "Turnmills"
Recommended If You Like: Caribou, Jamie XX, Bonobo
3. Big Red Machine - Big Red Machine (PEOPLE)
Justin Vernon of Bon Iver and Aaron Dessner of The National teamed up to put out their debut album as Big Red Machine, the flagship release of Vernon’s PEOPLE label/collective. “PEOPLE functions as a digital space for artists to experiment and create without ads or pitiless streaming margins. It is indie music’s small war against ethical consumption in late capitalism.” BRM draws from both artists influences and talents to create a shifting sonic landscape. Every song on this album is unique and beautiful in its own way.
What We’re Playing Off The Record: "I Won't Run From It"
Recommended If You Like: Bon Iver, The National, Amen Dunes
4. Empress Of - Us (Out 10/19 on Terrible Records)
Empress Of is the solo project of LA based Latin American musician Lorely Rodriguez. Her sophomore album Us will be out this October 19th. Her work consists of bilingual shimmering synth-pop and R&B. Her feature on Blood Orange’s "Best To You" is a standout from his 2016 album Freetown Sound.
What We’re Playing Off The Record: "When I'm With Him"
Recommended If You Like: Tei Shi, TOPS, FKA Twigs
5. IDLES - Joy As An Act of Resistance (Partisan)
The UK's best bad boys. They're the hottest thing in the UK punk scene right now and rightfully so. Their sophomore album Joy As An Act of Resistance is everything punk should be. Inclusive, loud, and fighting things in life that are bullshit, like toxic masculinity, racism, immigration policies, but through a filter of pure positivity and biting humor.
What We’re Playing Off The Record: "Colossus"
Recommended If You Like: Parquet Courts, Preoccupations, Ought
6. Lung - All The King’s Horses (Sofaburn)
Two piece from Cincinnati (!) composed of Kate Wakefield on electric cello and vocals and Daisy Caplan on drums (Ex-Foxy Shazam drummer). They make dark brooding cello led rock that is not only unique to the Cincinnati music scene, but to the music scene in general.
What We’re Playing Off The Record: "Bottom Of the Barrel"
Recommended If You Like: Leggy, Foxy Shazam, Screaming Females
7. Hippo Campus - "Bambi" (Out 11/28 on Transgressive Records)
Best known for their guitar led tropical indie-rock, Hippo Campus seem to be taking a turn in their sound, at least with their newest single Bambi. Stripping the rock sound for one of synths and beats, Hippo Campus prove they are sonically capable of a variety of sounds while still staying true to what made them popular.
Recommended If You Like: The 1975, Vampire Weekend, Rostam
8. Skylar Spence - Carousel 7
Formerly known as vaporwave DJ Saint Pepsi, he stripped that name for Skylar Spence. His newest project features all original instrumentation and his vocals. This is his first output since his Skylar Spence debut album Prom King in 2015. After falling into a deep depression and not wanting to make music, he realized he needed his music to get out of it. A pure synth-pop artist, it’s incredible how fun his music is to dance and sing along to.
What We’re Playing Off The Record: Carousel, Cry Wolf
Recommended If You Like: Saint Pepsi, MGMT, Neon Indian
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