Deafheaven, Infinite Granite

Deafheaven's Infinite Granite may be the most surprising album that I have heard so far this year. Formed as a black metal band, Deafheaven have challenged themselves and their fans over the years, shifting musical directions as they toned down the screaming and heart pounding double-kicks and blast beats for more melodic overtones and a more shoegazing-like sound. 

Now, with their fifth album Infinite Granite, the band completes their musical evolution and transformation, fully abandoning their earlier sound and fully embracing a shoegazing one. As George Clarke's soft and melodic vocals float over an ethereal wall of sound, I find it impossible to associate this band with their younger self. It's a stunning transformation and the result is their most exciting album to date.

Nanci Griffith, RIP

The great Nanci Griffith passed away today at the age of 69. She was and will always be one of the great folk singer-songwriters of her generation....And one of my favorite musical artists. While I could call out so many of her albums, I want to mostly thank Nanci for Flyer, which has been a road-trip companion of mine for many, many years. RIP Nanci. You will be missed. 

Billie Ellish, Happier Than Ever

A lot has been written about Billie Ellish's new album, Happier Than Ever, the follow up to her massively popular, critically acclaimed smash hit album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?. As you can imagine, the expectations for a second Ellish album were just enormous. From my perspective, they were much-to-much to be put on any musician let alone a nineteen year old.

For me, as some who really liked, but did not love Ellish's debut album, I was more curious than anything else to see the musical direction that she and her producer-brother Finneas would take with a second album. My curiosity was heightened when I heard her James Bond movie theme single, No Time To Die. Boy, did I like it.

Now, with more glowing reviews in than I can count, and sitting on top the Billboard charts, it does appear that Ellish has another massively popular, critically acclaimed smash hit album on her hands. And rightfully so. Happier Than Ever sees Ellish having grown and matured as singer, song-writer, and generally speaking, as an artist in leaps and bounds over just a two year period. It's really quite astonishing. While I am not one to rate albums or music in general, I will say that Happier Than Ever is an outstanding album and one definitely not to be missed.