Secret Level

No Mana

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No No No

Beirut

From the first piano chords on Gibraltar you know this is going to be a good one. Then when you hear lead signer Zach Condon's distressed vocals break through, you know it's going to be a great one. The when the rich production has a bow put on it once the snare clap comes in, you know you're going to have to listen to this one twice. And it just gets better from there. 

I’m so happy that the indie band Beirut released their first single in 3 years which gave me an excuse to go back and listen to this 2015 masterpiece. And it’s aged like a fine wine. 

Beirut is originally a solo project by composer and brass-instrumentalist Zach Condon. Described as part-indie band and part-”world music” the band’s sound make use of full brass and horn sounds and rich harmonies. 

The album “No No No” came at a tough time in Condon's life, having recently come off of a divorce and a hospital stint after facing exhaustion from touring.

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Expectations

Katie Pruitt

Expectations is the first full length album from Nashville based Katie Pruitt. There are a variety of angles this one could be appreciated from. Perhaps most immediately apparent is the emotional theme of finding ones self, being personally accepting of that self and then also living in a world that isn’t so accepting of that self. Katie discusses what it’s like being raised in the south in a conservative family, while wrestling with her own sexuality, mental health and general coming of age. 

The second way you might find yourself appreciating Katie’s music is through her simple talent as a musician and guitar player, apart from her honest songwriting. Several of the songs on Expectations are performed in a traditional folk-ballad style and then occasionally Katie will break out into a blues-based guitar solo that provides you some space to breath away from the lyrics for a second. 

My favorite track on the album is Loving Her. It sounds familiar and comfortable but is about something that’s still very uncomfortable for many. Here’s Katie describing the song saying "I feel like this is one of those songs I've been trying to write my whole life.”

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Hotel Surrender

Chet Faker

After a 7-year hiatus, Chet Faker is back and better than ever with his third studio album Hotel Surrender. It’s reminiscent of his familiar style - what you’d call that style? We’re not so sure. Some lo-fi beats here, some funky baselines there, all paired with some indie-pop melodies and silky smooth vocals from Mr. Faker himself. It’s a smorgasbord of experimental musical goodness that somehow … just … works. We first got to know Chet with his rooftop Boiler Room set that you can check out here - enjoy!

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i can't go outside

Channel Tres

Welcome to the Channel Tres show where the beats are thick, and the bars are thicker. Channel’s new school funk sound is definitely niche but you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone doing it better. He pairs the grooviest of house baselines with his own mellow lyrics to create a sound that is cool as the otherwise of the pillow. In this quarantine-inspired project, as with many others, he collabs with a number of musical geniuses. This time it's Tyler the Creator and Tinashe, and they just may be the best two songs on the album. Be sure to check it out! 

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