Our selection of the best new music across a range of genres from the week ending 15 December 2023.
Composer and trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire makes his Nonesuch Records debut with Owl Song. The album features a trio with two musicians Akinmusire has long admired, guitarist Bill Frisell and drummer Herlin Riley. “This is my reaction to being assaulted by information,” Akinmusire says of Owl Song. “This record is me wanting to create a safe space. Part of the challenge was: Can I create something that’s oriented around open space, the way some of the records I love the most do?”
In the summer of 2015, Mac DeMarco released Some Other Ones — a collection of original instrumental recordings DeMarco deemed his “BBQ soundtrack” — as a digital download only on Bandcamp. It was recorded in just 5 days at his home in Far Rockaway, Queens, about a year after the massive success of his third album, Salad Days, and just weeks before the release of mini-LP Another One. Originally released in conjunction with a barbecue DeMarco hosted to promote Another One and collect food bank donations, Some Other Ones soon became regarded amongst his fans as a key entry in his beloved catalogue. Now, almost 10 years later, and following the success of his recent full length instrumental album Five Easy Hot Dogs, Some Other Ones is finally getting the full release treatment. The album is now available digitally across all streaming platforms, and released on its first and only limited edition vinyl pressing.
Cosmic Link is an alternative soul duo consisting of Bristol (England) based producer Ben Dubuisson and Jay Myztroh. Dubuisson is best known for the “Hundred Strong” project with past contributions from Detroit soul luminary Amp Fiddler, Scottish singer Joseph Malik and many others; while Myztroh is a professional singer-songwriter and university-trained composer/conductor. Their self-titled debut album is out now.
In March of 2022, Car Seat Headrest brought their live show to Brooklyn Steel in New York in support of their 2021 album Making a Door Less Open. Across three back-to-back nights, the band played revved up versions of tracks spanning their extensive back catalogue. Now CSH have released a collection of recordings from those performances – including fan favourites “Beach Life-In-Death,” “Crows”, “Something Soon”, and “Drunk Drivers / Killer Whales” – on the 2 LP set Faces from the Masquerade.
Mei has set the standard for experimenting with abstract electronica and dark ambient music. Since 2021, the narrative of the album Les États De La Matière, which was originally conceived as a complete story, has been divided into several EPs. Now Les États De La Matière is out and it features a total of eight tracks, each accompanied by its own music video.
Cerulean is the new album by Benaddict, Slim & Ella Mae Sueref. Following their highly acclaimed 2017 release, Teal, this talented trio is back with their latest LP. The album comprises 15 tracks that seamlessly blend elements of soul, jazz, and hip-hop. Handling the production is Slim, whose soulful craftsmanship sets the stage for the vocal talents of Ella Mae Sueref and Benaddict. Benaddict delivers thought-provoking, conscious rap, while Ella’s soulful vocals and harmonies enhance the collaborative sound of the album.. Ella also takes the spotlight on several individual tracks.
Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson has made a profound impact with his remarkable combination of highest level musicianship and visionary programmes. His recordings for Deutsche Grammophon – Philip Glass Piano Works (2017), Johann Sebastian Bach (2018), Debussy Rameau (2020), Mozart & Contemporaries (2021) and From Afar (2022) – have captured the public and critical imagination. Ólafsson has now released his anticipated new album on Deutsche Grammophon of J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations.
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- New music round-up
- This Old Dog by Mac DeMarco – music review
- New music round-up (for w/e 4 October 2024)
David Edwards is the editor of The Blurb and a contributor on film and television
