Letting the dust settle
Now that new-release frenzy has subsided, a few obscure but worthy picks

Howdy readers. Thanks for sauntering by. Hopefully we’ve all enjoyed the Worm Moon, the fake-out seasonal warm up and are anticipating (Fearing? Respecting? Ignoring?) the impending solar eclipse. There’s plenty of reasons why I hold off on blurting out a column on the records I’m most looking forward to in 2024. Usually, it’s procrastination. Also, a lot of the early reads on upcoming releases are staid, boring and predictable. Not to say this one won’t be, but at least the dust has settled.

Many authors aggregate and rehash each other and focus heavily on the first couple months. Most are wrought with big-budget contractual obligations, with smaller indies peppered in for clout – and that’s OK. I wouldn’t genuinely be paying attention to the possible release of new Billie Eilish had I not lazily got around to hearing her 2019 debut a couple weeks ago. Not sorry; I’m firmly slow on pop happenings. 

There have been solid efforts (SPRINTS, IDLES, Ty Segall, Shawn Hess, Crippling Alcoholism, Kim Gordon, Erick the Architect) on a smaller scale. With so many offerings each week, it’s a task to keep up. The past few weeks alone saw releases from Waxahatchee, The Jesus & Mary Chain, Adrianne Lenker (Big Thief), Pissed Jeans, Sierra Ferrell and many more. I’m industry-adjacent, and there simply are not enough hours in a day to listen to or read up on releases to stay “relevant.” And I’m totally OK with that.   

My approach is also semi-calculated. See, early in spring, bands are releasing tour itineraries and – often – album announcements. It can pay to wait a bit. This Fri., March 29, beloved (by me) indie quartet Chastity Belt will release “Live Laugh Love” via the storied Suicide Squeeze label. It’s my hope to hear some of these new songs live when they play Meow Wolf in Santa Fe on Mon., April 8. Should you go – and you most certainly should – don’t sleep on opener Peel Dream Magazine either. The L.A. post-punkers put out a favorite of mine in 2020, “Agitprop Alterna.” Whether they have a new album on the way is unknown. 

The sludgy, acerbic and caustically heavy Chicago trio Shellac, featuring controversial (reductive) engineer-extraordinaire Steve Albini, will release “To all Trains” on one of the greatest imprints of all time, Touch & Go, on May 17. I’m not going to debate art vs. the artist in print, but happy to engage in person should you kindly offer me a cup of tea. It’s their first record in a decade, and I’m very much expecting a ripper, to say the least. If you’re a fan of heavier-leaning, noisy rock and roll, I’d suggest a listen. Preorder it direct from the label/band or support your local independent record store.

In 2022, the model-gorgeous and humble-as-can-be brothers Alejandro and Estevan Gutiérrez – appropriately known as Hermanos Gutiérrez – released my personal Album of the Year, “El Bueno y el Malo.” On Fri., June 14, the duo will release its follow up, “Sonido C?ó?smico,” on Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound. An inadvertent early listen to the title track promises more instrumentals diffused through their Latin American and Swiss heritage. Why the masses aren’t giddier for this record is completely beyond me. You can catch them opening for Khruangbin (who will be releasing their latest, “A LA SALA,” on Dead Oceans April 5) not one but two dates in late April in Albuquerque. See you there. In fact, let me catch a lift and share gas.

These are but a few I’m excited for. Amen Dunes, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, DIIV, Kamasi Washington, Ride, Shannon and the Clams, and Les Sav Fav (!!!) all have confirmed records soon to be released. Rumored albums from The Cure, Run the Jewels, Black Midi and My Bloody Valentine (I’ll believe it when I hear it, Kevin Shields. I’m tired of shilling for you – year after year), not to mention the scores I’ve overlooked, will undoubtedly make for yet another compelling year. These don’t account for the heaps of unknown debuts to get worked-up over. As much as one can, mind you.

Per usual, I’d love to know what you’re eager to hear . And, as always, reach out with questions, comments and gripes. Especially the gripes. KDUR_PD@fortlewis.edu.