Newer Music:

Little Simz:  Sometimes I Might Be Introvert

The groundbreaking North London rapper Little Simz released her fourth full album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert earlier this month. The album title is an acronym of her nickname Simbi, short for her first given name Simbiatu. I first became aware of Little Simz through her 2017 collaboration with Gorillaz on the track Garage Palace. Shortly thereafter, she released her brilliant Mercury Prize-nominated breakout third LP Grey Album, without question one of best records of 2019. 

Little Simz’ combination of hypnotic rap vocal performance, first-rate production and sampling, and irresistibly catchy songcraft continues on SIMBI. Both Grey Album and SIMBI were produced by Inflo, the mastermind behind the prolific music collective Sault. That influence can be felt throughout this record and Sault collaborator Cleo Sol features on lead single Woman. Little Simz made an appearance on the Sault record NINE from earlier this year, featuring on the standout track You From London. 

SIMBI is a thrilling and satisfying next milestone in the career of an uber-talented young artist who deserves an even bigger stage. 

Standout Tracks: Woman; Introvert; Point and Kill; Fear No Men; Little Q Part 2

Chvrches :  Screen Violence

Scottish synthpop juggernaut Chvrches returned this summer with their new record Screen Violence. It doesn’t seem that long ago that the Glasgow three-piece burst onto the indie scene with their unstoppable hit The Mother We Share. Amazingly, Screen Violence is already the band’s fourth full LP following that debut Recover EP in early 2013.

The lead single for this record He Said She Said did not inspire much excitement for the impending album release; it is possibly the weakest track on the whole record. On the second single, How Not To Drown, Chvrches smartly enlisted The Cure legend Robert Smith to co-write and feature and the results are predictably excellent. Lead singer Lauren Mayberry remains one of the most compelling voices in indie music and there are plenty of strong, energetic songs to keep the fans happy. 

With this latest record, Chvrches stay pretty true to their trademark synthesizer-driven, power pop sound. That strategy is largely effective once again on this record, but one wonders if this sound will start to date itself a bit if continued without evolution of some sort. Album closer Better If You Don’t provides a glimpse into what that future might sound like and it sounds promising. 

Standout Tracks: How Not To Drown; Better If You Don’t; Final Girl; Lullabies; California

King Krule : You Heat Me Up, You Cool Me Down

Among my greatest regrets of this last 18 months of pandemic life is the postponement and eventual cancellation of a King Krule concert I was supposed to see in Oakland last spring (and then again last fall) before it was finally called off for good. 

Archy Marshall, AKA King Krule, is a musical genius savant from London who has released three of my favorite records of the past 10 years: 6 Feet Beneath The Moon (2013), The OOZ (2017), and Man Alive! (early 2020). King Krule melds Marshall’s distinctive and mesmerizing voice with ragged indie rock and jazz musical elements resulting in a grungy, grimey, electric, delightful, youthful London sound.

I saw his band play at The Warsaw in Brooklyn on The OOZ Tour back a few years ago and cannot wait to them play again live, whenever that is. To tide us over in the meantime, King Krule was kind enough to release a new live album called You Heat Me Up, You Cool Me Down for all of us who missed out on this latest tour. Highlights for me are the singles from latest album Man Alive! along with the early classic singles that open and close the show. 

Standout Tracks: Out Getting Ribs; Easy Easy; Cellular; Alone, Omen 3; Energy Fleets

Throwback Selection: 

Death Cab for Cutie : Transatlanticism

I wasn’t able to go see Death Cab for Cutie at the Ogden Twilight Series on Friday night as I was already committed to take my family to see the Utah Symphony play the score for Return of the Jedi at Abravanel Hall (we had a great night!). I did recently take the time, however, to revisit Death Cab’s masterpiece 2003 album Transatlanticism to scratch that Ben Gibbard itch. 

Similar to many indie music fans at that time, Transatlanticism made a permanent impression on me. For someone whose favorite indie music was mostly from British artists at the time, it was revelatory to hear a top to bottom classic American indie rock record that was earnest, aspirational, anthemic, and modern and timeless at the same time. This album has aged predictably well and remains almost certainly a “Top 10 of the 2000s” record for me.

Standout Tracks: Transatlanticism; Death of an Interior Decorator; Sound of Settling; A Lack of Color; Title and Registration

More Related Music You Should Also Check Out: Gorillaz : Humanz (Expanded Edition); Sault : Untitled (Rise); The Cure : The Head on the Door; The Postal Service: Give Up