Ezra Furman – Perpetual Motion People (Bella Union)
Why you should listen: On this third album, the 28-year old Chicagoan recalls an E Street Band by way of Velvet Underground, tackling gender, religion and his struggles with mental illness and self-loathing.
It might not be for you if … You’d rather wait for Furman’s autobiography than parse the playful denseness of his music.
What we said: “For the most part, this is music that never sounds studied or overthought. It rages along at a cathartic intensity that perfectly matches the lyrics,” wrote Alexis Petridis, in his lead review for the Guardian. Kitty Empire reckoned “Furman’s approach is scattershot, but catholic”, in her four-star lead review for the Observer.
Score: 4/5
Fraser A Gorman – Slow Gum (Milk!/Marathon Artists)
Why you should listen: If you’re a fan of Van Morrison, the Courtney Barnett affiliate’s debut album of gentle Americana hits just the spot.
It might not be for you if … You stand by the notion that only Americans can do Americana.
What we said: “Slow Gum sees Gorman tightening up the rougher sound of his eponymous 2013 EP, while still borrowing heavily from the lazy drawl of 70s folk-pop and piano-led singer-songwriter balladry,” ran the Guardian’s review.
Score: 3/5
Krept and Konan – The Long Way Home (Virgin)
Why you should listen: The South London duo are making the most of the US’s sudden love affair with UK hip-hop, straddling styles from both sides of the Atlantic on an album featuring guest spots from the likes of Ed Sheeran, rapper Rick Ross and grime star Skepta.
It might not be for you if… You’re one of those Guardian commenters who insists rap isn’t “real music”.
What we said: “Some of the slower, sex-centred jams are a bit suspect, but there’s also some thoughtful stuff here too”, wrote Paul MacInnes, in the Guardian.
Score: 4/5
Between the Buried and Me – Coma Ecliptic (Metal Blade)
Why you should listen: The North Carolina five-piece meld together prog, metal and spots of psychedelic wandering on their eighth original studio album.
It might not be for you if … You don’t listen to metal or prog-rock, and probably never will.
What we said: “Coma Ecliptic’s conceptual sprawl is so ingenious and bursting with colour that it often feels too potent, too enthralling, to belong amid the empty, transient squall of the present day,” wrote Dom Lawson, in the Guardian.
Score: 5/5
Now that the global album release date has shifted to Fridays, rather than Mondays in the UK and Tuesdays in the US, Between the Buried’s album won’t be available to stream until 10 July. In the meantime, you can pre-order it here and listen to the single Memory Palace below:
Four Tet – Morning/Evening (Text)
Why you should listen: Electronic producer Kieran Hebden released this two-track album early on Bandcamp, to mark the summer solstice. Perhaps he was in a rush to show us his attention to detail when manipulating found sounds into sprawling, thumping compositions.
It might not be for you if … You find Four Tet’s music hard to get into, though you understand that’s some sort of “cool music” faux pas.
What we said: “Producer and DJ Hebden’s bow has many strings, but this low-key treat finds space both for subcontinental rigour … and effortless prettiness,” wrote Kitty Empire, in the Observer.
Score: 4/5
This week also sees releases from Gil Scott-Heron tribute arranger Charanee Wade, and Veruca Salt. What are you looking forward to hearing?
