10 New Albums to Stream Today
It's the first notable New Music Friday of 2020. Here's what's good.
Images via Dana Trippe, Capitol Records & Joseph Connor Music Lists New Albums
Welcome back to your regularly scheduled programming! The holidays are officially over (sad), but that means the music calendar is once again popping off (good!). January is off to a strong start with some contagious dance-pop courtesy of Domino Records darling Georgia, verifiably raucous punk from Philly favorites Beach Slang and a potential pop gold rush by none other than Selena Gomez. We have the details on all the new releases out today (Jan. 10) just waiting to land on your playlists. The rest is up to you. Now go forth and listen!
1. Alexandra Savior: The Archer
Portland singer/songwriter Alexandra Savior is back today with her sophomore record, The Archer, released on 30th Century Records. The album was produced by Sam Cohen, who notably worked with Kevin Morby on Oh My God. “It’s really a joy to work with someone who’s got such a strong sense of melody and also such a strong sense of what she wants stylistically,” Cohen said. —Ellen Johnson
2. Beach Slang: The Deadbeat Bang of Heartbreak City
Philly-bred rockers Beach Slang are back with their third album, and they’re returning with a notable guest: Tommy Stinson. The Replacements bassist plays on The Deadbeat Bang of Heartbreak City, which, like the preceding three Beach Slang records, features a collection of punk thrashers written by James Alex. If you liked the band’s first three releases, chances are this one will suit you, too. —Ellen Johnson
3. The Big Moon: Walking Like We Do
Following their Mercury Prize-nominated 2017 debut album, Love in the 4th Dimension, all eyes are on The Big Moon for album number two. With their new LP, Walking Like We Do, there are less sonic constraints, but their guitar pop is equally life-affirming. —Lizzie Manno
4. Devon Gilfillian: Black Hole Rainbow
Philadelphia upstart-turned-Nashville-hustler Devon Gilfillian is finally releasing his debut full-length album after years of ingraining himself in the Nashville songwriting scene. While he calls the legendary Music City home, Gilfillian isn’t just a country singer: He blends soul and rock ‘n’ roll to a pleasing effect. Shawn Everett (Alabama Shakes, The War On Drugs) produced Black Hole Rainbow. —Ellen Johnson
5. Field Music: Making a New World
There’s no doubt the world that emerged after World War I in 1918 was radically altered from how it had been just four years earlier. The advent of machines and chemicals capable of terrific destruction, progression in medical practices and rising of surrealist art movements were just a few of the war’s vast effects. These effects are the focus of Field Music’s new concept record, Making a New World. “Only in a Man’s World” is just one story from the collection of 19 that form the album, out now on Memphis Industries.—Hayden Goodridge
6. Georgia: Seeking Thrills
To quote the esteemed New Yorker critic Hua Hsu, Georgia’s head-turning 2019 single “About Work the Dancefloor” is “dance music about dance music.” The track is one of many dance songs on Seeking Thrills, Georgia’s analog-dominated sophomore album and first LP in nearly five years, that’s about dance music. Even when Georgia sings about relationships, love, romance and all that standard pop music fodder, her lyrics tend to double as tributes to the joy of dance. —Max Freedman
7. Hawktail: Formations
An Americana supergroup of sorts, Hawktail are releasing their sophomore album Formations, delivering some of the best instrumental bluegrass around. The group is made up of Paul Kowert from The Punch Brothers, violinist/fiddler Brittany Haas (Crooked Still, Steve Martin), mandolin player Dominick Leslie (The Deadly Gentlemen) and guitarist Jordan T. Their arrangements are searching and precise, yet they feel so untouched and flowing. Fans of groups like Nickel Creek or the aforementioned Punch Brothers will find a great deal of comfort in this music. —Ellen Johnson
8. Paul Kelly: Songs From the South 1985-2019: Paul Kelly’s Greatest Hits
One of Australia’s favorite songwriters has compiled a whopping 43-song collection for your listening pleasure. Paul Kelly has been making music for the better part of 40 years, and this week Songs From the South 1985-2019: Paul Kelly’s Greatest Hits features some of his biggest and most beloved songs. We named his 2018 album Nature one of the best of that year. —Ellen Johnson
9. Selena Gomez: Rare
Many of us are probably quick to write off Disney-star-turned-pop-star Selena Gomez. But lest we forget Gomez was the one who supplied one of 2015’s best certified radio bangers, “Hands to Myself,” and this year her stunning single “Lose You To Love Me” quickly solidified her as a viable Celine Dion-type to watch. Whether or not Rare will be her Let’s Talk About Love remains to be seen, but I have a feeling we’ll at least be able to dance along. —Ellen Johnson
10. Tenille Arts: Love, Heartbreak, & Everything In Between
If you’re after that massive country-pop radio sound but you’re looking for a little more soul than what’s currently on the airwaves, look no further than Tenille Arts (not to be confused with fellow country up-and-comer Tenille Townes, who is also incredible). Weirdly enough, the Canadian singer is the only artist to have performed on The Bachelor more than once (including Monday night’s Season 24 premiere), but don’t let her proximity to that romantic chaos scare you away. Her sophomore record, Love, Heartbreak & Everything In Between, is seemingly more about the “in between,” at least based on the tracklist. She has songs about life’s transient times, not just the highs and lows. But her love songs are great, too—they’re sung from the perspective of someone who’s been through a lot and thusly knows exactly what she wants. —Ellen Johnson