Australia’s Courtney Barnett is back (very quickly) after 2014’s The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas as she returns with an equally as long album title, Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit. The leading track “Pedestrian At Best” has every songwriting and vocal quirk that you expect and love from her. “Put me on a pedestal, and I’ll only disappoint you,” rolls off her tongue, dripping in desperation and self-deprecation. In quick succession, she spews everything an over-self-conscious 20-something has bottled inside after a shitty day. Most times, it’s everything you need to hear. - Ryan Parker
King Khan and Mark Sultan can never seem to decide if they're a band or not, or if they're called KK&BBQ or Jumbo Lions or Bad News Boys, but they're on again for long enough their upcoming album. The Montreal(ish) duo have that timeless child-at-heart sound back intact: soulful '50s hooks, harmonies, and fuzzy foot-tapping garage rock riffs. You know what you're going to get from this show, but it sure is comforting. - Richard Trapunski
Calgary-to-Montreal transplant J.S. Audet has a new four-song cassette and lathe cut out Friday on Craft Singles. The UNCHARTED alum's first cut, "Part of Us Both" runs the gamut from R&B found in the 'scratched, sun-warped, and otherwise damaged' bin to Vashti Bunyan-style psychedelia. While "As Just," the other track he's shared, skronks, coos, chimes and drones in a way reminiscent of Akron/Family, tripping ahead on a one-two hi-hat and snare beat that could march this weirdo parade ad infinitum. - Chris Hampton
NOW HEAR THIS: Courtney Barnett spills her guts and King Khan & BBQ Show do what they do best by Chart Attack | Chart Attack.
