Gone are the days of slogging through reviews to find out which new music is worth your precious time. We're proud to present our weekly Fresh Picks, where we give quick and dirty summaries of the latest releases.
Every Friday we update our ‘Natural Music Fresh Picks’ playlist with everything new that we feel is worth hearing, give it a follow to keep up with the best new music!
Cities Aviv - Immortal Flame [experimental hip hop]
Twitter Blurb: An entrancing project of melancholy, introspective bars floating over jazzy atmospheric beats.
Best Tracks: “Buy Time” “Omega Set”
Marie Dahlstrøm - Like Sand [uk jazz, r&b]
In a stunning display of soulful force, Dahlstrøm creates one of the most successful ‘90s R&B records in recent memory. Jak packed with sultry melodies and an effortlessly smooth delivery, this record is sure to satisfy any fan of R&B. And that’s to say nothing of the thrilling jazz instrumentals. [Drew Pitt]
Best Tracks: “Wandering”, “No Pair Without 2”
India Jordan - For You [uk bass, breaks]
Following a successful string of seemingly effortless dance cuts and extended plays, UK producer India Jordan returns with their most refined effort yet. These fast-paced, woozy house tracks are constructed as one part pure euphoria, one part thoughtful introspection. Being the titular “You” India brings to the table a daring combination of careful cogitation and care-free movement. We must think everything and nothing all at once.
Best Tracks: "Westbourne Ave", "Dear Nan King"
Jeff Rosenstock - No Dream [pop punk]
Jeff Rosenstock is going on 40, but No Dream shows he can still harness the teenaged emo angst that makes pop punk so fun. It’s catchy guitar rock that sees the longtime DIY warrior giving it all he’s got on vocals. [Wade L]
Best Tracks: “The Beauty of Breathing”, “***BNB”
The 1975 - Notes on a Conditional Form [art pop]
Notes on a Conditional Form is an explosion of ideas—some good, some bad, with incredible production
Best Tracks: “People”, “Frail State of Mind”
Carly Rae Jepsen - Dedicated: Side B [synth pop, dance pop]
Jepsen’s Dedicated: Side B is the kind of feel-good, dancey pop record you’d expect to be released ahead of summer. The surprise album offers just a dozen of the many songs that didn’t make the cut for 2019’s Dedicated. [Wade L]
Best Tracks: “Fake Mona Lisa”, “Stay Away”
Donny Benet - Mr. Experience [post-disco]
Post-disco goofball serves up forlorn dance tunes loaded with synth tones that will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Benét’s absurdist, self-effacing humor brings levity to his otherwise melancholy sound.
Best Tracks: “Moving Up”, “Take a Trip”
Moodymann - TAKEN AWAY [deep house]
Twitter Blurb: Detroit’s very own comes back with soul cuts, funky melodies, and groovy basslines. This release is stacked with vocal chops and fantastic sampling, take the ride with KDJ, whatupdoe.
Best Tracks: “Slow Down”, "Let Me Show You Love”
Katie Von Schleicher - Consummation [psych rock]
With lush arrangements and cavernous production flourishes, the Brooklyn songwriter’s second full-length is an ambitious record drawing sonic influence from the sounds of Cate Le Bon, Melody’s Echo Chamber, U.S. Girls and Half Waif.
Best Tracks: “Nowhere”, “Messenger”
Golden Retriever/Chuck Johnson - Rain Shadow [ambient rock]
A collaboration between two artists who never shared a stage, Rain Shadow finds musical chemistry in isolation. Melancholic synths and gentle pedal guitars meander through a dreary molasses. Bliss resurfaces, momentarily sticks, and droops into the mix once more.
Best Tracks: “Lupine”, “Sage Thrasher”
Woods - Strange To Explain [psych folk, neo psych]
Made in collaboration with Silver Jews’ David Berman, Strange To Explain channels Woods’s reaffirming, joyous energy into newfound pristine production and complexity. Sonic flourishes satisfy like a crisp Lager, while ominous snippets hint at a thunderstorm rollicking along with the summer breeze.
Best Tracks: “Where Do You Go When You Dream?”, “Just To Fall Asleep”
Mk.gee – A Museum Of Contradiction [indie pop]
Owen Pallett - Island [chamber folk, art pop]
