It's not too often that a big time artist releases new material that comes as a total blindside to the industry. Kendrick Lamar did just that this past Friday when he dropped untitled unmastered. Though it's an album of demos and unreleased tracks, the quality is pretty top notch; only Kendrick can put together a bunch of demos and still make them sound impressive. Let's get to some other highlights for this latest edition of Weekly Tune-Up.
Swedish indie pop band Miike Snow dropped their third studio album (iii) this past Friday. Hearing lead singer Andrew Wyatt's soulful vocals soaring over indie-pop beats always appeals to me. "Lonely Life" continues to showcase their versatility.
A new M83 tune and the announcement of a forthcoming record? Yes please. Junk is due out April 8, and yes, that's the name of the album. "Do it, Try it" is the first single off Junk and it's oddly appealing. A pounding piano and some serious synths are the focal points here, and it truly sounds like they are headed down a different musical route this time around.
Iggy Pop has dropped his third single off upcoming album, Post Pop Depression (out March 18). Josh Homme latter was brought on board to lend his production skills and guitar prowess, and he adds much value to Iggy's new LP. Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders was also tapped for this record, its latest single "Sunday" a funky tune that features winding guitar passages fading into a horn-laced outro. Iggy is always cool.
1. Kendrick Lamar, "untitled 06 – 06.30.2014."
2. The Range, "Florida"
3. Miike Snow, "Lonely Life"
4. Frightened Rabbit, "Get Out"
5. Fear Of Men, "Island"
6. Mt. Si, "Oh"
7. Bas Feat. J.Cole, "Night Job"
8. M83, "Do it, Try it"
9. Ray LaMontagne, "Wouldn't It Make A Lovely Photograph"
10. M. Ward, "Confession"
11. AMTHST, "Euphoria"
12. School Of Seven Bells, "Music Takes Me"
13. Golden Daze, "Ghost"
14. Iggy Pop, "Sunday"
15. Bombino, "Timtar (Memories)"
https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:user:leilanipolk:playlist:34Q610UcRSIsPQzU2fx2l8
This article appears in Mar 3-9, 2016.