Music Releases 03-12-21

Produced by Jack Splash (Kendrick Lamar, Alicia Keys, John Legend) and Valerie June, the new album The Moon and Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers achieves a transcendent effect thanks in no small part to the splendor of its sound, an exquisitely composed tapestry of folk, soul, gospel, country, blues, psychedelia, and time-bending symphonic pop. The result is a selection of songs both ornate and elegant, each moment crafted with a profound awareness of what’s most essential in creating enduring beauty. The follow-up to Valerie June’s widely adored The Order of Time—a 2017 effort that earned the admiration of Bob Dylan and landed on best-of-the-year lists from the likes of Rolling Stone and the New York Times— The Moon and Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers is a potent catalyst for that kind of magic. With her spellbinding vocals and infectious sense of wonder, Valerie June gently eases the listener into a far more charmed state of mind, one that quickly restores a powerful feeling of joyful possibility.

As a rock icon and filmmaker with a unique vision, Rob Zombie has continuously challenged audiences as he stretches the boundaries of both music and film. He has sold more than fifteen million albums worldwide, and is the only artist to experience unprecedented success in both music and film as the writer/director of eight feature films with a worldwide gross totaling more than $150 million.

October 2020 sees the release of the first new ZOMBIE track and video in over four years - "King Freak: A Crypt Of Preservation And Superstition" off of the forthcoming full-length album entitled The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy. A classic ZOMBIE album through and through with high-energy rages like The Eternal Struggles of the Howling Man and Get Loose to heavy-groove thumpers like Shadow Of The Cemetery Man and Shake Your Ass-Smoke Your Grass . This new slab of ZOMBIE madness hits in early 2021.

Grammy and Golden Globe nominated singer/songwriter Nick Jonas returns with Spaceman, his third solo album. The album features the title track plus 10 new songs and was largely written and recorded over zoom with Greg Kurstin & Mozella during isolation. Within a few weeks, he found a new sonic landscape that felt both fresh and a nod to the records he loves from the '80s.

The album is the third release by the band for Nonesuch Records and follows up their break out release, Free Yourself Up, which debuted top 10 on the Billboard Album charts (a career peak for the band) and garnered them their first charting radio single, "Good Kisser." Obviously was produced by Grammy Award-winningproducer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Mike Elizondo

Contains the CD EP in a mini jacket, poster, 20 page case bound mini book with photos, lyrics, credits, & 4 litho prints.

Tripping with Nils Frahm is an illustration of Nils's lauded ability as a composer and passionate live artist as well as the enchanting atmosphere of his captivating, and already legendary Funkhaus shows: An extraordinary musical trip ' rare and exclusive, close and intimate, bringing a unique concert experience to screen.

Strobe-lit and expansive cut that locks into an insistent groove and periodically explodes into bright colors.' - Stereogum on 'Echoes''Polydans' is Marius Lauber's (known internationally as celebrated producer, DJ, songwriter, and electronic musician Roosevelt) hotly-anticipated 3rd album (out Feb 26, 2021 via City Slang / Greco-Roman). The album serves as a kind of love letter to dance music, with Roosevelt embracing his own musical history and his love of the multi-faceted nature of the genre, and reconnecting with the intimate nuances that can make dance music feel truly alive.After taking a 4-piece live band around the world playing over 100 live shows and performing at numerous festivals tied to the success of his second album 'Young Romance', Marius decided to take some time to sit in his studio, reflect on his meteoric success in the pop music world (including becoming an in-demand producer, collaborating with Classixx and Washed Out and remixing artists like Rhye, Glass Animals, Chvrches and Charlotte Gainsbourg) and refocus himself on his musical roots. Hearkening back to the intimate clubs he'd DJ in, he sought to unearth the beating heart of dance music, where passion and excitement is woven into the intimate nuances of the genre, and the physical relationship between the DJ and those on the dancefloor. Playing almost every instrument on the record, Roosevelt created 'Polydans' by swirling together the spirits of 80s synth, disco, analogue, Yacht rock, and delirious dancefloor euphoria with amazing results.

'Roses' is the 5th studio album from The Paper Kites. An alluring, dynamic and diverse company, the ‘Roses’ vocalists were hand picked by the band to feature on the new album. Along with Lucy Rose the band have confirmed Julia Stone (AU), Nadia Reid (NZ), Maro (PT), Aoife O’Donovan (US), Rosie Carney (UK), Ainslie Wills (AU), Amanda Bergman (SE), Lydia Cole (NZ) & Gena Rose Bruce (AU) will all be featured on the 10 track album. ‘Roses’ is a testament to sincere, patient and understated songwriting. A deeply moving collection of songs, helmed by a cherished selection of artists.

Baby Boys is Jake Luppen & Nathan Stocker of Hippo Campus and Caleb Hinz of Happy Children.

Original Motion Picture Soundtrack for the Hulu biopic film The United States vs Billie Holiday. The score music is composed by Kris Bowers (Bridgerton, Bad Hair, Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable). The United States vs. Billie Holiday is a 2021 American biographical drama film based on the book Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs by Johann Hari, and on the life of jazz and swing music singer Eleanora Fagan (known professionally as Billie Holiday). The film is written by Suzan-Lori Parks, directed by Lee Daniels, distributed by Hulu, stars Andra Day (as Billie Holiday), Trevante Rhodes, Garrett Hedlund, Natasha Lyonne, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Evan Ross, Dana Gourrier, Erik LaRay Harvey, Melvin Gregg, Miss Lawrence.

On December 11th, Matador Records will release GANG OF FOUR: 77-81, a stunning, limited edition box set gathering their hugely influential early work. The box set contains remastered editions of Entertainment! and Solid Gold , an exclusive Singles LP, and an exclusive double LP of the never officially released Live at American Indian Center 1980. Additionally, the package includes a C90 cassette tape compiling 26 never-before-issued outtakes, rarities and studio demos from Entertainment! and Solid Gold . The box also includes an epic 100 page, full-color handbound book detailing the history and legacy of the original Gang Of Four with never before seen photos, contributions from surviving original band members, rare posters, ephemera, flyers, essays, artwork, liner notes and more. It also marks the first official publication of their lyrics. Gang of Four was formed in 1976 by bassist Dave Allen, drummer Hugo Burnham, guitarist Andy Gill, and singer Jon King. The band pioneered a style of music that inverted punk’s blunt and explosive energies — favoring tense rhythms, percussive guitars, and lyrics that traded in Marxist theory and situationism. Even now, 45 years after the birth of the band, Gang of Four’s music has endured as a formative influence, not only to subsequent generations of musicians, but also activists, writers, and visual artists.

• INCLUDES 2020 REMASTERS OF ENTERTAINMENT! AND SOLID GOLD

• INCLUDES THE FIRST OFFICIAL RELEASE OF LIVE AT AMERICAN INDIAN CENTER 1980 (DOUBLE LP) • C90 CASSETTE INCLUDES 26 NEVER BEFORE ISSUED OUTTAKES, RARITIES AND STUDIO DEMOS

• 100 PAGE FULL-COLOR HARDBOUND BOOK DETAILING THE BANDS HISTORY & LEGACY WITH NEVER BEFORE SEEN PHOTOS, POSTERS, EPHEMERA, ESSAYS AND MORE.

• BOOK INCLUDES THE FIRST OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THEIR LYRICS

• CONTAINS 2 NEW BADGES

“As a kid, I stumbled upon a copy of Gang of Four’s Entertainment! accidentally and it went on to become one of the most influential records of my life as a producer, lyricist and fan of music in general. Their sparse, unorthodox, riff heavy guitars and nasty, funky, in-the-pocket rhythm section drew me in, but it was their questioning of the world that kept me listening as I grew. I consider them a seminal band, whose influence and effect permeates the music world in a deeper way than many realize. Thank you, Gang of Four, for existing.” - EL-P (Run The Jewels)

New Orleans’ EYEHATEGOD is the snarling, bilious sound of dead-end America. Since 1988, they’ve been a soundtrack for the troubled masses. Ugly music for ugly times. That’s the sense of disenchantment and disease that lies the heart of their latest and sixth full-length album, “A History of Nomadic Behavior”. Anyone familiar with EHG’s story knows this is survivor’s music, a sound unto itself where Sabbathian riffs are meted out with a caustic anger that goes beyond punk. That’s been the blueprint since guitarist Jimmy Bower (also of NOLA supergroup, Down) founded the band in 1988 with vocalist Mike IX Williams joining not long after. With a discography including sludge-punk mainstays like “In the Name of Suffering” (1990), “Take as Needed for Pain” (1993) “Dopesick” (1996) or 2014’s eponymously-titled LP, released in the US through Housecore Records, EHG laid the cracked foundation for their infamous and influential sound. “A History of Nomadic Behavior” finds the band, now slimmed to a four-piece rounded out by bassist Gary Mader and drummer Aaron Hill, leaner and meaner than ever; road-hardened by recent tours with Black Label Society, Corrosion of Conformity and Napalm Death in the US and abroad. From the bitter pill of opener “Built Beneath the Lies” to the hypnotic haze of closer “Every Thing, Every Day” it’s clear that that EYEHATEGOD hasn’t slowed or mellowed with time. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. This is disorienting, uneasy listening. Music that still very much hurts.

The release of Onward marks the occasion of NYC based alto saxophonist Peter DiCarlo’s first solo album release. The album is named to signify a departure from the past, and realization of what is possible in the future. Onward is the culmination of years of intention, planning and execution. As a musician, educator and father, everything seemed to be a reason to hold back and not make this album. Perseverance, sacrifice and good fortune were involved to see this project through. 

The album covers a wide-ranging breadth of original compositions and arrangements that bridge the worlds of modern and traditional jazz. This is accomplished through the musical contributions of Scott Wendholt on trumpet, Rich Perry on tenor saxophone, Claire Daly on baritone saxophone, Jim Ridl on piano, Tom DiCarlo on bass, Chris Parker on drums, Keisel Jiménez Leyva on percussion, and special guest Jerson Trinidad on vocals.

Dead Poet Society formed in 2015 making music that is both genre defining and defying. Their musical landscape runs the gamut from heavy riff driven songs to stunningly beautiful ballads. Their signature sound is created by fretless guitars and the extraordinary vocals of lead singer Jack Underkofler. Propelled by their fan-stealing performances opening for Badflower's fall tour the debut album will be released in 2021.

Blackmore's Night was founded in 1997 by legendary guitar icon Ritchie Blackmore and his partner, singer Candice Night to stage their mutual love for traditional Medieval and folk-rock music. Ritchie has shaped the hard rock scene for decades as one of the most influential, talented and notorious guitarists ever, first with Deep Purple and later with Rainbow. Nature's Light is Blackmore's Night's eleventh studio album and their first in six years. The ten new tracks make for a remarkable new record - one that could only have been written by Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night. Once again, the duo is able to mix the tradition of British folk music and love for the Renaissance sound with their style, inspired by myths and legends of ancient times. Escapism reaching towards an ideal beauty found in different time, as understood perfectly by the audience that renew it's love for Blackmore's Night since it's formation.

Expanding from the sleepier, acoustic-driven bedroom territory of his debut (2019's 'Good To Know You'), 'These Northwood Blues' finds singer-songwriter Jack M. Senff exploring the 70's-inspired realm of folk-rock Americana. Drawing influence from Neil Young & other artist of the era, Senff & his newly-formed Rolling Hill Band tracked the album live with minimal overdubbing at Eureka Records in Wyandotte, Michigan during a weekend-break in the July 2020 chaos of national sociopolitical upheaval. In turns driving, volatile, exuberant, & patient, 'These Northwood Blues' plays with the form & allows Senff to continue putting his own characteristic spin on the longstanding tradition of greater folk music.

Formed in Brisbane in 2014, Stepson are a high-octane band whose high energy performances and music have made them one of the most recognized punk/hardcore bands around the country. Help Me Help You is the band's debut album on Sharptone Records

Tone Poem is the third album by Charles Lloyd & The Marvels, the genre-straddling quintet that features the master saxophonist with Bill Frisell on guitar, Greg Leisz on pedal steel guitar, Reuben Rogers on bass, and Eric Harland on drums. The nine dynamic tracks here include new Lloyd originals along with pieces by Ornette Coleman, Thelonious Monk, Leonard Cohen, Gabor Szabo, and Bola de Nieve. Blue Note Tone Poet Series features all-analog, remastered 180-gram vinyl in deluxe gatefold package.

The return of the Lox features DMX, T-Pain, Jeremih and more! Red 2LP.

Double green and white colored vinyl LP pressing in gatefold jacket. Godzilla's/Eatin' Dust is the most popular release in Fu Manchu's 29 year recorded history. It is the combination of what were originally two distinct 10" releases: Godzilla (1997) and Eatin' Dust (1999).

Formed in Essen, Germany in 1984, Kreator are arguably the most influential and successful European thrash metal band ever, like many of their European speed metal brethren, Kreator fused Metallica's thrash innovations with Venom's proto-black metal imagery. Often credited with helping pioneer death metal and black metal by containing several elements of what was to become those genres. The band has achieved worldwide sales of over two million units for combined sales of all their albums, making them one of the best-selling German thrash metal bands of all time. The band's style has changed several times over the years, from a Venom-inspired speed metal sound, later moving in to thrash metal, and including a period of transitioning from thrash to industrial metal and gothic metal throughout the 1990s. In the early 2000s, Kreator returned to their classic thrash sound, which has continued to the present. Their last studio album 'Gods Of Violence' charted top twenty in ten countries, including a number one slot in their home country of Germany. This double LP, splatter vinyl anthology contains all of Kreator's Noise Records era classics and also includes rare tracks and remixes, some never available on vinyl before. The artwork contains rare and previously unseen photos.

GRAMMY nominated singing sensation Giveon is gearing up for another big year in 2021. The Long Beach native took 2020 by storm and has already landed in stardom, thanks to his vocals on Drake's "Chicago Freestyle," coupled with the release of his own single "Like I Want You." The video has gained over 47 million views on YouTube alone, and the single has reached over 121M WW streams to date across streaming platforms, peaking at #10 on the Billboard Emerging Artist chart and #25 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart. His debut EP Take Time was met with critical acclaim, as everyone from Billboard to NPR recognized this rising star's reach. He even grabbed a song placement on Season 4 of HBO's Insecure with his track "World We Created." - By August, Giveon became the inaugural artist for Spotify's Are & Be Spotify Singles campaign, as he reworked "Like I Want You" (dubbed "Side A") with "Side B" being a cover of D'Angelo's classic "Untitled (How Does It Feel)," serendipitously also recorded at NYC's Electric Lady Studios where D'Angelo recorded the hit. His new EP When It's All Said And Done, picks up where Take Time left off, detailing the peaks and valleys of a love story gone awry. With a Rat Pack-style vibe and elevated storytelling woven tightly through his music, Giveon is here to give R&B the re-up it needs. And he's just getting started.

Dies Occidendum is a mythical voyage across fog-laden, scorched earth terrain from the original friar of dark hip hop, DJ Muggs the Black Goat. Known and revered as the sonic mastermind behind both Cypress Hill and his own Soul Assassins imprint, here Muggs sheds the MCs and presents his latest dark-soaked productions as an illuminated manuscript of sorts; a fully immersive, instrumental soundtrack to the mysterious Dies Occidendum. No one wields the Excalibur of sonic darkness quite like Muggs. Combining ingredients of psych rock, gypsy folk with modern elements of trap, forged together under layers of his signature sonic grime, Muggs has created yet another blueprint for the utmost sonic menace and macabre. The Renaissance is upon us. Long live King Muggs.

Vivian Leva & Riley Calcagno's self-titled record is old-soul roots music to it's core. Though both just out of college, the duo's musical talents extend far beyond their years. Produced by Cajun roots heavyweight Joel Savoy at his GRAMMY-winning studio, Vivian Leva & Riley Calcagno is not some soulless collection of songs imitating previous masters of American music. Rather, the pair has responded to one of the darkest eras in American history with an album of stunning breadth and originality. With mass protests and fires raging near their current home in the Pacific Northwest, and no prospect of touring anytime soon, it's an aptly biting, bittersweet group of songs for an uncertain time. Yet, Leva and Calcagno balance this with a sense of optimism-a notion that at our most vulnerable we might emerge better humans because of it all, perhaps beginning with our own intimate relationships. The eleven tracks elegantly reprise the deep threads of old-time and classic country present throughout Leva's debut album-she did grow up in rural Virginia, the daughter of celebrated old-time musicians, after all. However, the pair fluidly meld this traditional backbone with fresh iconic melodies, expanded production, and the tightly wound vocal harmonies of indie folk. It's an artistic statement made from this moment but built to last.

Limited colored vinyl LP pressing. Evolution is the sophomore album from 2x Grammy-nominated hip hop artist Joyner Lucas who Eminem cited as "one of his favorite rappers of all time." The 13-track project features collaborations with Ashanti on the single "Fall Slowly" and Rick Ross on the track "Legend," along with the viral hit single "Snitch." Regarding the album, HotNewHipHop noted it "displays his lyrical prowess" and is "full of bangers and tracks with enough lyrical content to last you a while. Among these tracks is 'The Problem,' which acts as a standout cut." Lucas shares that, "Evolution is the art of growing and changing. Most people never evolve. This is me using music as my therapy to speak on things that kept me in a dark place. It allowed me to open up about who Joyner Lucas is and why. Being able to open up about things I used harbor inside has allowed me to grow as a person and evolve. Hopefully it inspires others to do the same."

Israel Nash is back with 'Topaz', his first album since 2018's critically acclaimed 'Lifted' which deservedly featured in our end of year list for the year. Set for release in March 2021, 'Topaz' is described as "a triumphant rock-and-roll experiment, full of fat horns, gospel choruses, swagger, hope, and pain." Not that we haven't had enough pain for one year!

2021 release. This is Pino Palladino's first record of original music. Co-written and produced by Blake Mills, this album has no single sound. It showcases various styles of playing with an emphasis on ambitious composition and you can trace homages to J Dilla, Fela Kuti, and Roy Hargrove throughout. Other musicians include Chris Dave, Larry Goldings, Andrew Bird, Ted Poor, and more.