In the spirit of the NFL draft, we’ve asked Boomer to help us out with the news this week.
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of April 27th, 2018. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
Janelle Monae – Dirty Computer
Genre: Art Pop / Contemporary R&B
Label: Bad Boy
Almost five years after the genre-bending The Electric Lady, Ms. Monae continues her marvelous run. In a BBC Radio 1 interview with Annie Mac, Monae disclosed about Prince: “It’s hard for me to talk about him. But I do miss him, and his spirit will never leave me.” Prince’s presence can be heard throughout the record, and sure enough, that delectable synth line in single “Make Me Feel” was allegedly penned by The Purple One, per his DJ, Lenka Paris. Other highlights on the record include “Americans” – arguably the best politically-tinged song since the last American presidential election – along with “I Got the Juice” (featuring Pharrell Williams) and “PYNK” (in collaboration with Grimes).
The Armed – Only Love
Genre: Hardcore
Label: Throat Ruiner
The Beat Escape – Life is Short The Answer’s Long
Genre: Electropop
Label: Bella Union
Blitzkrieg – Judge Not
Genre: Heavy Metal / NWOBHM
Label: Mighty Music
Blossoms – Cool Like You
Genre: Indie Pop
Label: Virgin EMI
Dr. Dog – Critical Equation
Genre: Indie Folk / Psychedelic Pop
Label: We Buy Gold
Eomac – Reconnect
Genre: Industrial Techno
Label: Eotrax
Forth Wanderers – Forth Wanderers
Genre: Indie Rock / Midwest Emo
Label: Sub Pop
Giraffes? Giraffes! – Memory Lane
Genre: Math Rock
Label: Topshelf
God is an Astronaut – Epitaph
Genre: Post-Rock
Label: Napalm
Godsmack – When Legends Rise
Genre: Hard Rock
Label: Spinefarm
Grouper – Grid of Points
Genre: Ambient
Label: Kranky
Half Waif – Lavender
Genre: Synthpop / Art Pop
Label: Cascine
Ingested – The Level Above Human
Genre: Brutal Death Metal / Deathcore
Label: Unique Leader
Midas Fall – Evaporate
Genre: Post-Rock / Ambient
Label: Monotreme
[Review]
Okkervil River – In the Rainbow Rain
Genre: Indie Pop / Indie Rock
Label: ATO
Post Malone – Beerbongs & Bentleys
Genre: Hip-Hop / Cloud Rap / Trap
Label: Republic
Royal Coda – Royal Coda
Genre: Post-Hardcore / Progressive
Label: Blue Swan
[Review]
Stimulator Jones – Exotic Worlds and Masterful Treasures
Genre: Contemporary R&B / Neo-Soul
Label: Stones Throw
VARSITY – Parallel Person
Genre: Jangle Pop / Indie
Label: Babe City
We Are Scientists – Megaplex
Genre: Indie
Label: 100%
Willie Nelson – Last Man Standing
Genre: Country
Label: Legacy
