What’s New? Albums Hitting The Shelves 5/31

After a week that saw new albums from Flying Lotus, Sebadoh, Mavis Staples, and singles from Hot Chip, Sleater-Kinney, and The Voidz, some of the best releases this Friday are ones you may not have heard of. New albums are on the shelves now. Here are a few you should be sure to check out this week.

Pip Blom – Boat

The Amsterdam based indie rockers have recorded a beautiful mix of hooks, energy, and catchy harmonies you’ll be humming all week. They aren’t afraid to get a little loud, too, with noisy tracks like “Tinfoil” making sure the listener is still paying attention. It is early, but this could be one of the best low-key releases of the summer. Check out the full album stream below.

For fans of: Boy Azooga, Mattiel, Girl Ray

Sacred Paws – Run Around the Sun

One release that will likely be criminally overlooked is also one that is hard to describe. Even though Run Around the Sun starts with some harsh distortion, the driving force to most of the band’s songs is the clean and punchy sound to their guitar tones. Following the lead of lead singer Rachael Aggs’ previous band, Shopping, songs are never static on one chord. Her songwriting is energetic and fun, and pushes the post-punk influences in a lighter sounding direction.

For fans of: Shopping, The Twilight Sad, Goon Sax

J. Robbins – Un-Becoming

When you think of the history that has come from the D.C. music scene, so many artists and genres come to mind. Hardcore, emo, post-punk, and alternative rock all derive a lot of influence from the area. In the 90’s, James Robbins, commonly known as J. Robbins, was piloting the influential Jawbox. Nearly thirty years later he drops his first solo album. Fans of Robbins five previous bands will get both familiarity and freshness on Un-Becoming.

For fans of: Jawbox, Jawbreaker, Fugazi

<a href="http://jrobbins.bandcamp.com/album/un-becoming">Un-Becoming by J. Robbins</a>

Bedouine – Bird Songs of a Killjoy

It may be summer outside, but on Bird Songs of a Killjoy, spring is in full bloom. This beautiful composition centers around arpeggiating acoustic guitar and hauntingly beautiful vocals. Songs are backed by string and wind instruments to give the full atmosphere to each mood.

For fans of: Aldus Harding, Julia Jacklin, Iron & Wine

<a href="http://bedouine.bandcamp.com/album/bird-songs-of-a-killjoy">Bird Songs of a Killjoy by Bedouine</a>

Psychedelic Porn Crumpets – And Now For The Whatchamacallit

There is a reason the first word of the band’s name is psychedelic. PPC’s new album is flooded with fuzzy vocals and hypnotic riffs. Even with all the brash psychedelia, songs like “Bill’s Mandolin” manage to be surprisingly catchy and easy to listen to.