The calendar has flipped into July and as summer splashes on, so do the hits. The best new music this week is guaranteed to set the tone for upcoming tours too–many of the artists are set to play nationwide now that their tracks are out in the world.
PJ Harvey – I Inside the Old Year Dying
Six years ago in Chicago, a troubled PJ Harvey learned how to get out of the never ending career-musician cycle of ‘write a record and tour it.’ It took an encounter with British director Steve McQueen in the Second City to change her luck. You may not believe someone who’s a worthy mention among the best multitalented artists ever (she’s a poet and soundtrack curator, too) could feel disenchanted, but that’s how Harvey bore on the road performing The Hope Six Demolition Project. McQueen helped Harvey, telling her to play with her passions. He advised her to zone in on what she loved about words, images and music. It helped Harvey put the concept of making “an album” to bed.
Then Harvey made an album–just not in the way she, or perhaps anyone, has before. I Inside the Old Year Dying popped out of Harvey’s head in about three weeks. The driving force was not a ton of tunes about love, sadness or loss. It was the total freedom to do anything. Harvey herself does sense those feelings, but only in a new light found through her new liberation.
“Not that there has to be a message, but the feeling I get from the record is one of love,” Harvey said in a release. “It’s tinged with sadness and loss, but it’s loving. I think that’s what makes it feel so welcoming: so open.”
The recording process of I Inside the Old Year Dying was open too. Harvey, as always, left an open door for her longtime mate and producer John Parish to step in and play around. Harvey recalls plenty of improvisation finding its place on the album and rolling with whatever the two found themselves doing while tracking.
Whatever they were doing, it was good, sounds good and translates well. It’s apparent from the get-go: album opener “Prayer At The Gate” is ambient and slow with high pitches–sounding exactly like it was captured in the middle of a long day’s work, yet it’s an effortless track.
There’s also the darker “A Child’s question, July,” the second of two songs trying to answer what a kid is asking. The most notable portion of the tune is its turned off snare wires and shaky symbols. Toss in Harvey’s still strongly intact voice and you’ve got a recipe for an interactive track.
Closer “A Noiseless Noise” puts more emphasis on the noise–sending I Inside the Old Year Dying off on a high-strung note and Harvey finding freedom in tension.
Enchanting.
Taylor Swift – Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)
As if Taylor Swift wasn’t already on top of the world, her latest re-recording brings that famous third studio album back to life–with a little help and new energy from the likes of Jack Antonoff and guest work with Fall Out Boy and Paramore’s Hayley Williams.
Taylor’s been on a mission to reclaim her masters since the 2019 announcement she’d re-release her discography. That mission is set to run through at least 2024 now that she’s decided to take her Era’s Tour to Europe and the UK.
This also features the song “Dear John,” which was recently a ‘surprise’ to a crowd in Minneapolis during her ongoing US Era’s stops. Swift told fans not to have hard feelings against her ex John Mayer. Now she’s doubled down by sharing her version of the track all this time later.
Taylor has Speak Now to keep attention spans until she talks over herself with the next re-release.
Alice Phoebe Lou – Shelter
Alice Phoebe Lou has one of the strongest voices of the past decade, and now the Cape Town-born melody queen is at her collective best.
It’s been two years since Lou dropped two albums in a year: the poppier Child’s Play and more stretched Glow.
Shelter is closer to Glow but is mostly its own thing. It opens with burner Angel before throwing the head nod gears into foot tapping mode on the title track.
Throughout the 30 minute album both of these ideas are frequently explored, making a mix and match for anyone feeling fond of feeling anything.
It also encapsulates outdoor feelings (Lou is known for playing solo sets in parks across the world).
Pack a snack for a picnic, and make Alice Phoebe Lou your guest.
AUDREY NUNA – “IdgaF”
You better put aside one minute and forty-three seconds to watch this weeks best visualizer from 22-year-old AUDREY NUNA.
For the past few weeks NUNA has posted crazy cool promos for her new song “IdgaF” on Instagram.
Now that the full track is out–it’s gotten the cool video treatment too.
A nice mix of music and music videos sets NUNA apart from similar artists. She’s multi-talented for wanting to try things that all audiences can support, plus it’s just sweet as hell.
Which of these tracks from New Music Friday will you be adding to your favorite playlists today? Any we missed? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!
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