Dori Freeman, Ten Thousand Roses

I've been a big fan of Appalachian born Dori Freeman since I first heard her sophomore album, Letters Never Read. I was immediately taken by every aspect of Freeman's music and musicianship. More than most artists that I have experienced, Freeman just presents herself with such genuineness and authenticity. I honestly cannot recall another artist who's strength, confidence, and humbleness can be sensed and felt simultaneously in their music.   

Working with an expanded band that includes her husband, drummer and producer Nickolas Falk, Freeman finds a new musical footing on her latest album, Ten Thousand Roses. It's one that is a joy to hear and experience as it brings sonic textures to her music that make Freeman's songs, with their sharp and thoughtful lyrics and wonderful melodies and choruses, pop and soar. For those familiar with Freeman, it's about as far away from Ern & Zorry's Sneakin' Bitin' Dog as she can get. But musically I will say that Freeman is in exactly the right place right now and I hope that Ten Thousand Roses introduces Freeman to a wider audience.

Shelter Boy, Failure Familiar

After ten years as the guitarist for Still Trees, Simon Graupner, felt that it was time to step out on his own. Under the moniker Shelter Boy, Graupner releasing a few singles starting in 2018 and an EP in 2019. Now, Graupner has released his debut album, Failure Familiar.  

Graupner has said that his solo work draws on inspiration from the Beatles, Oasis, Stone Roses, and J Dilla. While I certainly can hear bits of these artists in Graupner's work, he certainly does not lean into them too much, which is a good thing. Interestingly enough, he has been compared more to artists like Mac DeMarco and King Krule. I suspect because of his vocal style.

On Failure Familiar, what Graupner does lean into is sharing his failures and insecurities. But almost as quickly, he embraces the notion of keeping going and not letting them get the better of himself. Set against a musical back drop that feels lighthearted and almost joyous, you can't help but want to get behind Graupner and help make Failure Familiar more....familiar to more people. I know that I will certainly will be....as I am right now.

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. 

Stephen Fretwell, Busy Guy

It's impossible not to talk about Busy Guys, Stephen Fetwell's first album in 14 years, without talking about his personal journey from critically acclaimed singer-songer writer to stay at home dad to dishwasher to college student to divorcé to renewed singer-songwriter. In a number of interviews, Fretwell has been candid about his journey. But it is in his songs and their stories where you feel the beauty, pain, joy, and weight of it all.

"It's been a long time and time changed everything," Fetwell sings on the opening verse of The Long Water. He later closes the song expressing the toll and loss that has come with the call and desire to play his music. "Hey man, where has the money gone? I was in the dream, I was swimming on. Frightened by the song. It is a ghost song. And all the bird line up to say, it was a bad idea with your romantical....guitar played. It echos deep in the cavity."It's heart wrenching.

Recording in what Fetwell thought was a two hour 'run through' session of the album, there is a rawness and intimacy to these songs. It perfectly captures part of what has made and continues to make Fetwell's songs so special. Fetwell has said that he is back and that he will continue to record new music. That is great to hear, but what truly must be heard is Busy Guy.