THIS WEEK'S KEY RELEASES
Elbow _ "Little Fictions"
"Little Fictions" comes at a turning point in Elbow's career. The loss of an original band member is no small thing, and it is a testament to Elbow's craft that it extends its already enviable legacy so successfully. Compositionally, Elbow remains one of rock music's most invaluable practitioners, and the complexity of this music makes Garvey's positive pronouncements on life feel real, not platitudinal. When he sings "Yes and I'm given to believing in love" on "K2," you can't help but feel the same. _ Brice Ezell
The Menzingers: "After the Party"
Despite its rather misleading title, "After the Party" is an upbeat and surefooted album. It is a stark reflection on getting older but maintains a youthful, sometimes mischievous spirit. The band still see the romance in the places and the people they have left behind but have no intention of letting that define their future. The band sound at ease, like the weight, has been lifted from their shoulders with little evidence of any cathartic rage being exercised. What is left is a superlative set of authentic punk songs that stand as their finest achievement to date. _ Paul Carr
Big Sean _ "I Decided"
Porcelain Raft _ "Microclimate"
Sampha _ "Process"
Surfer Blood _ "Snowdonia"
Syd _ "Fin"
NOW HEAR THIS
Sarah Shook and the Disarmers _ "Keep the Home Fires Burnin'"
North Carolina's Sarah Shook and the Disarmers shake up classic country sounds with a heavy dose of punk rock energy. Yeah, they're a country band, but not of the sort currently dominating the mainstream Nashville country scene. Sarah Shook and the Disarmers are outsiders and proud of it. Remember the term "insurgent country" that was coined to describe hard-driving alternative country? That may as well be this band's main descriptor as the "insurgent" aspect of the phrase best characterizes their independent spirit. _ Sarah Zupko
(http://popm.at/2jpRhIm)
The Sadies _ "Another Season Again"
Yep Roc Records has called the Sadies' new album, "Northern Passages," an "acid-folk-country-punk trip" and that gets at the eclectic approach this seminal band takes on its albums. But there's a missing word in that descriptor, and that's "rock" or maybe more accurately "rawk" in the case of the Sadies. The band's new single "Another Season Again" rocks the house with killer harmonies, some slashing riff-based guitar playing and a whole lot of attitude. _ SZ
(https://youtu.be/SqYWl49j6GE)
WATCH THIS
Syd _ "All About Me"
Syd's voice is a dream on "All About Me," and while she's been stronger, it's a solid and promising first cut from her upcoming debut. She's mellow, sensual, and beautifully understated, never missing a beat as her words pour down on top of a subdued backing track. This is the debut of an artist who doesn't need to overcompensate in order to get attention, and Syd has the talent to back up her effortless musical style. Whether this track is grabbing enough to snag her a solo following or not remains to be seen, but it's a smooth, low-key stunner that deserves to be played with the bass up. _ Adriane Pontecorvo
(https://youtu.be/ZNIOrsxsa0A)
Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears _ "PTP"
Power! Lewis and his Honeybears have it, and they let it loose on "PTP," a tight, groovy burst of some serious soul. This is sweatin', howlin' R&B with a lot of hot, hot horns and Joe Lewis coming right at you with a voice made for old school funk. The Honeybears is a group that plays with perfect musical unity, and when Lewis screams, there's no doubt that this is an ensemble with the gumption and skill to blaze its way into a well-deserved spotlight. Let's hope the upcoming full album helps make that ride a little easier. _ AP
(https://youtu.be/XGgw2bhxznQ)
