Hear this now
Preview staff picks favorite new releases
John Carpenter, “Anthology (Movie Themes 1974-1998)”:
Minimal music designed to create maximum unease: That is the guiding principle for John Carpenter, composer and synth guy. This collection pulls the cult filmmaker and musician’s themes from the likes of “Halloween” and “The Fog,” as well as some lesser eeries, like “The Pork Chop Express” from “Big Trouble in Little China.”
Destroyer, “ken”:
The ex-New Pornographer makes surrealist synth pop and sings like Al Stewart. So instead of a musical history lesson, you get the pretty and ornamental “Tinseltown Swimming in Blood.”
Niall Horan, “Flicker”:
The One Direction boys have all gone in different directions. The third of the bunch to throw out a solo album, Horan steers into slightly folkier terrain than his old mates.
Willie Nelson, “Willie and the Boys: Willie’s Stash Vol. 2”:
Willie wouldn’t leave his other stash sitting around six years, but here he pulls from the humidor some older recordings with sons Micah and Lukas. The family affair focuses on country classics, most of which originated with Hank Williams.
Various artists, “Tegan and Sara Present The Con X: Covers”:
There could be some interesting stuff on this Tegan and Sara covers album. Ryan Adams does a garagerock rave up on “Back in Your Head,” which fits him like a patch-covered denim jacket. Cyndi Lauper, Grimes and CHVRCHES are among the other contributors.
The Jam, “1977 (40th Anniversary Edition)”:
If you ever think you’re having a good year, just remember the Jam released two lean, not-quite-punk masterpieces — “In the City” and “This Is the Modern World” — in 1977. This reissue adds demos, live recordings from the era and a DVD.