Ready to drop
Albums to look forward to in the upcoming year

I’m a man of fairly simple tastes. That is to say, I like what I like. I’m not going to persuade or sway you to like what I like, but I am happy to share what I like – if proffered. One of the things I’m often asked – quite literally a time or two a week – is “what are you listening to?” or “what are you digging?” with respect to new music and new albums. Call it years of occupational fortuity.

I’ve mentioned here, on these pages, how I believe that I am indeed rather fortunate – in many ways – to do what I do. As the program director at KDUR, a small portion of my job these days entails getting to know through various channels what albums are coming out and when. This is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the gig, and getting to hear advance listens is indeed a perk. So, allow me to share with you here, in short form, a mere handful of the records I’m hoping to hear in the coming months, throw out a release date or two, and speculate/wish on others

Yo La Tengo – “This Stupid World”

Yo La Tengo was formed in Hoboken, N.J., in the mid-’80s. The trio of Georgia Hubley, Ira Kaplan and James McNew will release its 17th album on Feb. 10 via the independent stalwart Matador Record label. In my opinion, YLT is a foundational part of the canon of college radio – what was once called “indie rock” and that status has been solidified with each subsequent release. The magnificently titled “This Stupid World”(and their first studio record in five years) is the proper follow-up album to the 2020 ambient/drone/instrumental release called “We Have Amnesia Sometimes,” which was recorded around a single microphone in the band’s practice space during the throes of the pandemic. The latest record returns to the hushed-vocals-over-noisy-art-rock approach that pre-existing fans of the band have come to expect, and feels like fresh take on what has worked for years. It isn’t uncommon to find YLT records on many critics’ year-end retrospectives, and I imagine the same for “This Stupid World.”

Quasi – “Breaking the Balls of History”

Janet Weiss is, without a moment’s hesitation, one of my favorite drummers to be mesmerized by while watching play live. Perhaps many know her as the former drummer/longtime member of the Olympia, Wash., trio Sleater-Kinney – but Weiss formed Quasi with her then-husband Sam Coomes in 1993. She has played on albums by and toured with many other acts including Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Wild Flag, Bright Eyes, and The Shins. Coomes is also a revered session studio/live player, appearing on albums from Built to Spill, the Go-Betweens and Heatmiser/Elliott Smith, among many others. From their label, Seattle-based Sub Pop, “Breaking the Balls of History” is Quasi’s 10th record, landing 10 years after their last record, on Feb. 10. Three 10s, which aligns with the 30 years they’ve played together. While I’m less interested in the numerological coincidences, I am very much looking forward to hearing this album.

Shana Cleveland – “Mannzanita”

Shana Cleveland is the lead guitar player and co-vocalist for the California surf/garage outfit La Luz. She has released two absolutely brilliant solo albums – 2015’s “Oh Man, Cover the Ground” and 2019’s “Night of the Worm Moon.” Her third will be released on March 10. I have this habit of purposefully ignoring advanced singles from albums I’m excited for, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to do this with “Mannzanita.” I know one (or two?) tracks are out in the world, but I am attempting to show a modicum of patience and, well, restraint. Restraint is something I very much need to employ as of late, and without devolving this article into something that has little to do with music, I’ll simply say that I’m very much looking forward to this record. She has yet to make one I haven’t obsessively spun.

There are many other albums to look forward to this spring, including, but not limited to: Fucked Up, King Tuff, Black Belt Eagle Scout, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Avey Tare, Posh Swat, Screaming Females, Algiers, shame, U.S. Girls, Liturgy, Everything but the Girl, Kid Koala, Esben and the Witch, and Deerhoof. I’ve heard wildly exaggerated rumors about a new My Bloody Valentine record – but this is nothing new – and I’m hoping to hear that TV on the Radio have dusted off guitars and revisited pummeling, sonic squalls, but I’m not holding my breath. Which albums are you looking forward to in the next year? Any psychedelic folk or hip hop you want to clue me in to? Send recommendations my way along with questions, comments or gripes. Especially the gripes.

Jon E. Lynch is the program director at KDUR. He can be reached at KDUR_PD@fortlewis.edu