1) Dogstar, “All in Now” / Yes, yes, this L.A. rock outfit is best known for its bassist, the Divine Mr. Keanu Reeves. But on its latest—and across its catalog—the band strikes a perfectly song-forward blend of ‘90s radio rock and the darker side of ‘80s New Wave.
2) Mildred, “Fenceline” / On what’s perhaps my favorite album of the young year, this Bay Area band dresses up the quieter, dreamier alt-country of an early Son Volt record with guitar freakouts and terrific musical plot twists.
3) Modern Woman, “Johnny’s Dreamworld” / Sophie Harris and her mates in this London band act as artful dodgers, uniting agitated punk-rock, delightfully experimental soundscapes and pop sensibilities with theatrical vocals and turn-on-a-dime playing.
4) Greg Mendez, “Beauty Land” / The latest from the accomplished Philadelphia bard has drawn Elliott Smith comparisons thanks to its sparse palette and charmingly dour vocals. But Mendez is an artist all his own, forever inflecting his work with thoughtful gestures.
5) Nino McQuown, “Ship of Theseus” for Glass / I adore poems that unfold like a whole garment while containing individual lines that deserve their own hearing. McQuown’s work here fits the bill, gorgeous at a granular level while bringing home the body with all its sins and miracles.
I must have said something incredibly stupid despite chance after chance to distinguish myself. Instead I am continually forgiven. Let’s be clear. I was the owner of all these apologies and I was also the priest in this confessional.