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Here’s a new batch of reviews of five new albums that cover the spectrum of pop, rock, Americana and even a touch of industrial. Hope you enjoy the music these albums have to offer.
‘It’s A Beautiful Day and I Love You’ Jillette Johnson
Johnson branches out musically on her third album, “It’s A Beautiful Day and I Love You,” while staying firmly in the singer-songwriter realm of artists like Sarah Bareilles, Sheryl Crow or Ingrid Michaelson. But where her 2013 debut, “Water in a Whale,” and especially her 2017 follow-up, “All
I Ever See In You Is Me,” were known for piano-centric, often intimate ballads, Johnson varies the instrumentation and goes for more of a full sound on the new album. “What Would Jesus Do” and “Jealous,” two tracks that kick up the tempo from
Johnson’s usual ballad-centered sound, add some stinging electric guitar to the slightly rootsy melodic pop of these songs. Of course, “It’s A Beautiful Day and I Love You” has its share of ballads, and “I Shouldn’t Go Anywhere,” “Forgive Her” and “Many Moons” show such songs remain squarely in Johnson’s wheelhouse. Still, the standout song may be “Angelo,” which pairs its lovely vocal melody with a bigger and bolder musical song setting for Johnson. Gradually, Johnson continues to grow as a songwriter and singer and she’s finding more of her own sound. It shouldn’t be long before she gains a level of popularity that’s closer to the heights Bareilles, Crow and Michaelson have enjoyed.
‘NRCSSST’ NRCSSST
Alt-rock fans may recognize the musicians involved in NRCSSST. Things began in 2019, when Stephanie Luke of the Coathangers and Dan Dixon of PLS PLS started writing songs together. After six months, they had enough songs to record this self-titled debut, which was held back from release because of the pandemic. Not surprisingly, NRCSSST sounds like a melding of the moody and melodic synth-and-guitar modern rock of PLS PLS with the sometimes perky, sometimes punky pop/ rock of the Coathangers, which creates a good deal of diversity. “Love Suicide” is a good example of a song where the dark synth-laced rock of PLS PLS and the punky side of the Coathangers come together in roughly equal parts. The energetic synth-rock of “Ride” also has earmarks of both groups. Other songs tilt more toward one band or the other, and the songwriting is consistently strong throughout the album, making “NRCSSST” a rich, fascinating and enjoyable listen. It will be interesting to see what Luke and Dixon do with this band moving forward.
‘Horseshoe Lounge’ The Barlow
This band bills their sound as Colorado Country. What that means, if “Horseshoe Lounge” is any indication, is a blend of Texas red dirt and outlaw country with some seriously kicking rock ‘n’ roll. The opening song on this sophomore effort, “Hard Lovin’,” recalls Jackson Browne’s “Redneck Friend” or “Hot Rod Lincoln” (the Charlie Ryan tune famously covered by Commander Cody) with its brisk country-rock sound. “Call It A Win” is an equally rocking tune, while “Before You Know,” is a truly caffeinated twangbanger. The group also shows
an ability to deliver change-ofpace tracks. “Gallows” has some waltz to its hard-bitten country sound, while on “Part of the Band,” the Barlow strips things back and crafts a solid acoustic ballad. Throughout “Horseshoe Lounge,” the Barlow songwriter and frontman Shea Boynton crafts sturdy, highly agreeable melodies, which combined with a distinctive sound, should allow the Barlow to make some major noise on the roots music scene.
‘This Time Next Year’ Kid Kapichi
Kid Kapichi were just starting to gain some momentum behind their 2019 debut EP, “Sugar Tax,” when the
pandemic hit. Now this quartet from Hastings in the UK is restarting things with their first full-length album, “This Time Next Year,” delivering a unique amalgam of hard rock, industrial sonics and pop hooks. The opening track, “First World Goblins” is a good example of the band’s sound. It’s a rocker that starts out with an especially dirty industrial-ish sound before revealing a potent vocal melody. Things stay uncommonly catchy on the energetic rockers “Self Saboteur,” “Glitterati” and “Sardines,” and there’s also a credible piano-centric ballad in “Hope’s A Never Ending Funeral.” The remaining songs are keepers as well, and with any luck, by this time next year, Kid Kapichi will be a
whole lot better known.
‘Heavy Male Insecurity’ Death By Unga Bunga
These Norwegians have been going at it for 13 years now, further refining their mix of garage rock and power pop over six full-length releases. But don’t worry, these guys aren’t about maturing or mellowing when it comes to their sound, attitude or sense of humor. “Heavy Male Insecurity” though, finds Death By Unga Bunga delivering some of their sharpest pop hooks and fat-free arrangements yet, as the band unleashes one rowdy rocker after another, with “Like Your Style,” “Trouble,” “Modern Man” and “My Buddy and Me” among the highlights. Don’t look for any deep meditations on life and death (or any other topic). The Bunga Boys just want to rock your world and make you smile, that’s exactly what “Heavy Male Insecurity” should do for you.