Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
5Buscrates—“
1Elvis Perkins—“Creation Myths”
Since appearing on the music scene with his critically acclaimed 2007 debut, “Ash Wednesday,” Elvis Perkins has had a long and storied career as a maker of songs, releasing several celebrated albums. “Creation Myths” marks the first album the singer/ songwriter has put out since his soundtrack to 2017’ s “The Blackcoat’s Daughter,” a film directed by his brother, Osgood. The new LP makes subtle nods to Americana and spooky, blissed- out folk, but never lights for too long on any one spot. If there is a lyrical or thematic through- line to the record, it might simply be a longing for connection, be it romantic or spiritual.
2Death Valley Girls— “Under theSpell of Joy”
Los Angeles outfit Death Valley Girls have always sought to wield the magic behind music like ancient mystics, creating psychic bonds with willing ears through the medium of their fiery rock ‘ n’ roll. On the surface, previous albums like “Glow in the Dark” and “Darkness Rains” were rowdy mashups of early American punk, sunbaked psych rock and proto- metal fire- and- brimstone guitar worship, yet there was always an undercurrent of some kind of strange, celebratory communal ritual in their music. “Under the Spell of Joy” sees the band diving even deeper into that magical cosmic energy.
3The Hunna—“I’d Rather Die Than Let You In”
UK grunge- leaning rockers The Hunna return with album number three, “I’d Rather Die Than Let You In,” full of inspired and impassioned choruses, intoxicating vocals, pounding drums and resonant guitar lines. The songs on the record package the band’s last couple of years, ridding the ghosts of their past and celebrating a new journey by closing the chapter on travels in the rearview. With contributions from the likes of Travis Barker, Josh Dunn, Pete Wentz and more, the new music showcases their anger, resilience and ultimate rebirth.
4Devildriver — “Dealing With Demons I”
“Dealing With Demons I” is Devildriver’s first release of new, original material since 2016’ s “Trust No One” and represents the onset of a final purging of the demons that have long haunted frontman Dez Fafara and the group’s music. From its eerie, ominous intro and the selfexplanatory, explosive opener “Keep Away From Me” to the seething, poignant “Nest of Vipers” and the chilling imagery of “Iona,” each track illustrates a different demon to be dealt with or released. The LP is the first of a two- volume set fromthe California heavy metal unit.
Off” Blasting
A DJ, musician and vinyl junkie from Pittsburgh, Buscrates has a wide range of inspirations, with themost influential the drummachine and synth- heavy grooves of early- mid ’ 80s boogie, and the sample- laden, neck- snapping MPC sequences of early ’ 90s hip- hop. Just a fewyears ago, he was doing beat sets with his RolandSP- 404SXand DJ sets in
various cities across the country, most notably Los Angeles’ Funkmosphere party in 2017with Dam- Funk. Now he’s “blasting off,” literally, with his first full- length of the same name.
6Sean Nicholas Savage —“Life Is Crazy”
“Life Is Crazy,” the accurately titled new record from Sean Nicholas Savage, is unlike anything we’ve heard from the cult balladeer. No drums or bass on the album, the accompaniment consists strictly of pure piano and lush strings, leaving the Canadian art maverick’s songwriting bare to the listener like never before. Lyrically, Savage grapples with his signature themes of perception, identity and the unknown, among others. While still abstract, the metaphors and subject matter are effortless and more inviting than ever before.
7Caiola—“Only Real When Shared”
The atmospheric indie folk LP “Only Real When Shared” consists of 10 original tunes penned by Jordan Caiola and recorded during quarantine alongside co- producer/ engineer/ drummer Shane Woods, who also happens to be his bandmate in Philly’s Mo Lowda & The Humble. Though he always felt writing folk songs was his true wheelhouse, it wasn’t until the nationwide lockdown this year that Caiola finally put aside the time to capture a collection of these songs for his first solo effort. The result is a sparse departure from his other projects, buoyed by jangly acoustic guitars, lo- fi drums and lush harmonies with sit- ins from multiple additional musicians sprinkled throughout.