What’s New? Albums Hitting The Shelves 5/24

This is a big week for indie releases with several artists following up big releases, and a few newcomers putting out their first big statements. Here’s what’s hitting the shelves today.

Flying Lotus – Flamagra

The jazzy beat-maker is back with the follow up to his critically acclaimed You’re Dead, which came out in 2014. Flamagra features more artists than previous releases. George Clinton funks up “Burning Down the House”. Denzel Curry, Shabazz Palaces, and Anderson .Paak bring bars to their respective tracks. Avant-garde director Davis Lynch talks us through a terrifying story on “Fire Is Coming”. Not to mention Solange, Thundercat, Toro y Moi, and Little Dragon all add their talents to tracks.

Even with all the guest stars, this is distinctly a Flying Lotus album.

Mavis Staples – We Get By

Soulful singer Mavis Staples has been performing nearly her entire life. As a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Staples Singer. The family band started in 1948, and were active for the next 46 years. Staples is known for being a gospel singer, civil rights activist, and actress. Seeing a well-deserved resurgence in the 00’s, she has gone on to release some of the most celebrated albums of the recent soul and R&B revival. We Get By is produced by Ben Harper.

Sebadoh – Act Surprised

Indie rock veterans Sebadoh are back with 16 new hard driving tracks. After being kicked out of Dinosaur Jr. in the late 80’s, Lou Barlow formed Sebadoh with Eric Gaffney. The band is now comprised of Barlow and two former members of The Firey Furnaces, Jason Loewenstein and Bob D’Amico. Act Surprised is their first album in six years.

Amyl and the Sniffers – Amyl and the Sniffers

These fuzzed out Aussie punks caught the attention of the Flightless Records family, and quickly grew a following through international tours and hard-driving, mullet-topped rock ‘n’ roll. Their self-titled debut album features plenty of throwback sounding riffs driven by the energy of youth. The 11 tracks bounce from slamming fast songs to driving mid-tempo anger bombs. Pretty good for a debut.

Cate Le Bon – Reward

Welsh singer Cate Le Bon makes a style of poppy indie rock that is too smooth to call avant garde, but too different to call indie pop. Songs often features less-heard instruments, winding vocal melodies, and pleasantly repetitious choruses. On top of all that, her music videos are always pleasantly

Black Mountain – Destroyer

Dripping with 80’s aesthetic, sweeping synths, and duel lead vocals, this album offers a kind of unique energy that creates its own authenticity. Destroyer picks up pieces of metal, psych, acid rock, and spacey prog.