Newer Music:
Valerie June : The Moon and Stars : Prescriptions for Dreamers
Earlier this year, I stumbled onto the advance singles for this album and was immediately won over by
the incredible vocal talent of Valerie June. June has been making music for almost two decades, starting
in her home state of Tennessee and eventually based in Brooklyn. Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys co-
wrote and co-produced her breakthrough 2013 record Pushin’ Against a Stone. Her 2017 follow-up
record The Order of Time gained her further critical acclaim, but her new record will likely propel her to
a new career pinnacle. I dare you to listen and not to be enchanted by the delightful, distinctive voice of
Valerie June.
Standout Tracks: Stay; Call Me A Fool (Featuring Carla Thomas); Why The Bright Stars Glow; You and I;
Virginia Wing : private LIFE
London duo Alice Merida Richards and Sam Pillay have been creating some of the most unpredictable,
interesting electronic music for several years now. One of my favorite records of 2018 was the fantastic
indie electropop gem Ecstatic Arrow by their project Virginia Wing. I’ve been anticipating this month’s
release of their follow-up record private LIFE since it was announced earlier this year. Once again,
Virginia Wing has crafted a quirky collection of complex, innovative music featuring genre elements
from across the spectrum.
Standout Tracks: I’m Holding Out For Something; Moon Turn Tides; St. Francis Fountain; Soft Fruit;
Fruit Bats: The Pet Parade
Fruit Bats is the long-running indie folk rock project of Eric D. Johnson. Fruit Bats, originally started way
back in 1997, released a handful of records on Sub Pop, dissolved for a couple years, and then reformed
again around 2015. This month, Fruit Bats released a new record on another great indie label Merge
Records. Johnson was part of the supergroup Bonny Light Horseman that released one the best folk rock
records of last year. Fellow Bonny Light Horseman member and producer Josh Kaufman also helped out
with production and instrumentals on The Pet Parade. The names Eric D. Johnson and Josh Kaufman are
now synonymous with awesome indie folk music across their various projects and production duties.
Standout Tracks: The Pet Parade; The Balcony; Holy Rose; Cub Pilot
Django Django : Glowing In The Dark
The London artrock band Django Django released a fun new record last month. Glowing In The Dark, the
fourth record from the band, is almost certainly their strongest since their acclaimed self-titled debut
released back in 2012. The title track is one of the catchiest tracks of the year so far and has already
been remixed by Hot Chip.
Standout Tracks: Glowing In The Dark; Spirals; Waking Up; Got Me Worried
Throwback Selection:
Amy Winehouse : Back to Black
Hearing Valerie June’s wonderful voice gave me the opportunity to reflect back on other times when a
new (to me, at least) voice has made such an impression on me upon first listen. Perhaps the best
example is the legendary Amy Winehouse. I know I’m not alone in appreciating Winehouse as one of the
greatest voices in music history. I revisited the 2006 masterpiece Back to Black this week and it has lost
absolutely none of its wonder and power. A singular talent gone devastatingly far too soon.
Standout Tracks: Rehab; You Know I’m No Good; Back to Black; Love Is A Losing Game; Tears Dry On
Their Own; Some Unholy War; Cherry Wine
More Related Music You Should Also Check Out: Lianne La Havas : Self-Titled; Virginia Wing : Ecstatic
Arrow; Bonny Light Horseman : Self-Titled; Mark Ronson : Version
