San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Holiday surprises from McCartney, Diggs
NEW ALBUMS
Paul McCartney, “McCartney III” ( Capitol): The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer found himself in isolation during the pandemic, looking for ways to keep his mind occupied ( rock stars, they’re just like us!). The Beatles and Wings great would spend his days in his Sussex farmhouse studio, tinkering with existing musical outlines and writing what would become the opening and closing tracks to his forthcoming release, “Long Tailed Winter Bird” and “Winter Time/ When Winter Comes.” Going back to the strippeddown recording style of 1970’ s “McCartney” and 1980’ s “McCartney II,” this latest album was recorded and produced by McCartney solo, singing vocals while toggling between guitar and piano and overdubbing his bass and drums.
And while he had no plans to release new material in 2020, it’s been a hell of a year. “McCartney III” drops Dec. 18.
The Avalanches, “We Will Always Love You” ( Modular): Production wizards and master samplers, this Aussie tandem made us wait 15 years after their epic 2001 debut album, “Since I Left You,” before the release of 2016’ s likewise excellent “Wildflower.” Thankfully, the wait for this year’s album is considerably shorter, and the guest list reads like the names on the top lines of a music festival poster: Leon Bridges, Rivers Cuomo, Karen O, MGMT, Perry Farrell, Johnny Marr, Kurt Vile and Denzel Curry, among others.
Its title track is a sublime number featuring Blood
Orange, which builds on samples of “I’ll Take You Any Way That You Come” by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles and “Hammond Song” by the Roches. It’s a stellar example of how the Avalanches tastefully pay homage to the classics with decidedly modern reconstructions like no other.
French Cassettes, “Rolodex” ( Tender Loving Empire): Before the coronavirus decimated San Francisco’s live music scene, few local bands were playing consistently packed and positively fun shows at a range of venues quite like French Cassettes. They’ve been one of the best Bay Area bands for years, and songs on their sophomore album like “Utah,” “City Kitty” and “Sunday Soda” are easily the best expression of their beaming indie pop yet.
Sylvan Esso, “With Love” ( Loma Vista): The synthpop duo just dropped a surprise sixtrack EP of songs from this year’s “Free Love” LP, reconceived with a 10piece superband of notable musician friends. The result is bigger, bolder arrangements that amplify the distinct energy that Sylvan Esso has come to be known for. On the explosive “Numb,” singer Amelia Meath and producer Nick Sanborn are joined by Wye Oak’s Jenn Wasner on keys, Hand Habits’ Meg Duffy on guitar, Bon Iver’s Matt McCaughan on drums and Landlady’s Adam Schatz on saxophone. It’s a marvelous taste of how elevated Sylvan Esso’s already vibrant sound can become if expanded, if only for a moment.
SONG OF THE MOMENT
Nilüfer Yanya, “Feeling Lucky?” ( ATO): The Londoner put out one of 2019’ s most impressive debut albums in the forceful and immediate indie rock release “Miss Universe.”
Now she returns on Friday, Dec. 11, with the humble threetrack “Feeling Lucky?” EP, but she doesn’t waste any time leaving another mark with one of this year’s best songs, “Crash.” Produced by the imaginative Nick Hakim, it builds into a thumping flurry of frenzied drums and guitar as Yanya begs with a boom: “If you ask me, one more question, I’m about to crash!”
# ICYMI
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, “Axiom” ( Ropeadope): With the 2021 Grammy Award nominations announced last month, the New Orleans trumpet player, whom we profiled last year, received two more nominations — best contemporary instrumental album for his latest live album, “Axiom,” and best improvised jazz solo for his stunning delivery on the album’s cut of “Guinnevere.” These are Adjuah’s third and fourth nominations, and a win during the Jan. 31 award show would surely cement him as one of today’s best modern jazz trumpet players.
YOUR LIVESTREAM FIX
Courtney Barnett Live in Melbourne: The Australian indie rock singer and guitarist puts on an exhilarating live performance. She’s played a slew of memorable Bay Area shows including August Hall’s opening night and the final Treasure Island Music Festival, both in 2018. Now on Dec. 17, she’ll be joined by her full band in the middle of Melbourne’s historic Royal Exhibition Building for a set of classic cuts and brandnew songs. The livestreamed show will be broadcast via dice. fm and costs $ 18 to view. You’ll want to mark your calendar for this one.
HOLIDAY SONG OF THE MOMENT
Daveed Diggs, “Puppy for Hanukkah” ( Disney): If Jewish parents across America start to get bombarded with requests for puppies this holiday season, they’ll have Oakland native Daveed Diggs to thank.
The “Hamilton” star, who grew up with the Jewish faith, rhymes over a klezmer clarinetriddled beat on this new kid’s bop. The rapper comes across as menacingly in his delivery here as he does with his experimental hiphop group Clipping.
It’s the tongueincheek Hanukkah song we’ve been waiting for.