Imani Coppola’s recently released “The Protagonist” (Ipecac Recordings) is impossible to nail down to a particular genre. Throughout the album, Coppola flawlessly jumps between styles including rock, R&B, punk, and even country. But the end result is absolutely cohesive, thanks to Coppola’s own production and dedication to creating the perfect tracklisting order.
With her new solo album, “Phantoms,” Azam Ali fully embraces electronic music and draws upon early influences previously not apparent in her music. Ali has been known as a world music artist with five previous solo albums and for her work with Niyas and VAS. But the intricately arranged electronic compositions on “Phantoms” bring to mind the music of bands like Cocteau Twins, Massive Attack, and Portishead. Ali even covers Cocteau Twins with a reimagining of “Shallow Than Halo.”
For nearly 40 years, Japan’s Shonen Knife have been creating infectious punk/pop music that often revolves around food. This past summer they released their 19th studio album, “Sweet Candy Power.” Frontwoman and only consistent member Naoko Yamano started Shonen Knife in Osaka, Japan on December 30, 1981. Highlights from their long career include writing a song for The Powerpuff Girls, touring with Nirvana, and even being the subject of a tribute album.
Formed in 1979, Disturbed Furniture were part of the arts and music scene surrounding downtown New York City’s Club 57. They put out a well-received 45, toured the East Coast, and opened for bands such as The GoGo’s, The Psychedelic Furs, and The Stranglers. But within three years, the group was no more. Now, Disturbed Furniture has returned with a new EP, “Continuous Pleasures.”
With his second album, Chaos/Control, LA-based indie artist Alex Bloom strived to push beyond his comfort zone and explore more of his musical influences. While still generally maintaining a low-key melodic rock sound, the album sees Bloom experimenting with a wider variety of song structures and instrumentation. In a phone interview, Bloom discussed the making of Chaos/Control, as well as how it came to have the same name as this website.
On their debut album, “Painted People,” NYC-based band The Ritualists showcase an intense, theatrical post-punk sound that seamlessly blends a variety of influences. The music can be dark and abrasive while also full of melodic hooks and soaring choruses. There is a strong glam rock undercurrent, but The Ritualists never come across as trying to emulate a particular style. Strong songwriting and creative arrangments make their influences coalesce into a sound all their own.
Since emerging in the early ’80s, Bananarama has had a string of hugely successful pop hits, including “Venus,” “Cruel Summer” and “I Heard a Rumour.” They’ve continued to tour and release music over the years and recently released “In Stereo,” their first album in a decade. “In Stereo” has a modern edge, but the pure, energetic pop songs are unmistakably Banarama. It’s become their most commercially successful albums in years, hitting the top 40 in England and several other countries.
Having returned to live performance in 2016, Cubanate have now put out “Kolossus,” their first new release in over two decades. Founding members Marc Heal and Phil Barry have managed to update their aggressive electronic-rock sound while remaining true to their 90s musical output.
Josephine Wiggs has, in recent years, been back with The Breeders, but she has also found the time to create a fantastic new solo release, “We Fall.” The primarily instrumental album juxtaposes a variety of styles, including ambient, rock, classical and experimental. Atmospheric yet highly melodic, the compositions instantly draw in the listener. Wiggs has truly created an album that sounds like nothing else.
“Deliverance” is the new solo release from Danielle de Picciotto, an interdisciplinary artist who has been involved with many collaborations over the years. Having moved from New York to Berlin in 1987, Danielle was the co-founder of the Berlin Love Parade and has performed and exhibited with Crime & The City Solution, Gudrun Gut, The Space Cowboys, and her husband Alexander Hacke, a founding member of Einstürzende Neubauten.