Lots of great new music to fill your playlists with this week. Michelle Branch returns with her first solo record in over 10 years with Hopeless Romantic. The New Pornographers are back with their seventh album, Whiteout Conditions. San Fermin bring the beauty in sound with their new LP, Belong. Swedish export Vanbot releases her latest offering, Siberia. And finally The Full Moon bring us some great indie rock with their debut LP, Love in the 4th Dimension.
Read more about this week's picks below.
'Hopeless Romantic' - Michelle Branch
It seems like ages since we have heard anything from Michelle Branch. Sure, she did go through her country stint with The Wreckers in the mid-2000s. However, after that it seemed like she put away her guitar and hid under the radar. But if you kept with her on social media, she's been hinting at new music since 2013. And finally, she's back with Hopeless Romantic — her first solo album in 14 years.
When you first press play on the first track, "Best You Ever," the opening sounds a bit more Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" than what we're used to hearing from Michelle. And if you still occasionally rock out to 2001's The Spirit Room and 2003's Hotel Paper, it kind of puts you off for a little bit. However, as you listen to the rest of the record, you realize that she can't sound exactly like her former 20-something self and that the new material is exactly who she is now.
MORE: Michelle Branch has Finally Returned, and She isn't Holding Anything Back
Working with producer and boyfriend, The Black Keys' Patrick Carney, the record carries a little pop, a little rock and lots of soul. And with her song, "Heartbreak Now," you get a little of that country guitar twang. They worked on it in Nashville after all. You also get some of that Black Keys influence on "Living a Lie." Despite the different influences Michelle may have had during the making of Hopeless Romantic, the body of work is mature while still having that youthful curiosity that anyone who's a hopeless romantic would have.
'Whiteout Conditions' - The New Pornographers
The New Pornographers have been bringing us upbeat pop rock music since the late '90s, so it's no surprise that they bring us another great record with their latest, Whiteout Conditions.
Filled with jump-worthy tracks like the title track and "Play Money." But then they head into classic rock feel with "Darling Shade" and "Juke while they also give us anthems like "We've Been Here Before" and "Second Sleep." At this point, there's really not much wrong The New Pornographers can do with crafting a record. They've got it down to a science, especially with this one.
'Belong' - San Fermin
San Fermin have been known for their beautiful orchestral soundscapes, thanks to band leader Ellis Ludwig-Leone. The band also has a cast of talented musicians who have their own projects including former members Lucius' Holly Laessig and Jess Wolfe, original member Allen Tate and current co-lead singer Charlene Kaye. But now, two years following their sophomore album, Jackrabbit, San Fermin is back with a new of tunes that are not only sweet-sounding but also show just how well they can do complex musical arrangements.
"Open," the record's first track, showcases how well Ludwig-Leone can turn a group of musicians into a tight band. You get the same feeling with "Palisades/Storm." But if that classical vibe isn't your bag, tracks like "No Promises" and "Better Company" give you more of that contemporary pop feel, while "Dead" packs the punch with Kaye getting feisty on the mic as brass instruments are highlighted during the instrumental breaks. With the variety of sounds coming from this one, it will definitely entice you to grab a ticket to one of their upcoming shows in the coming months.
'Siberia' - Vanbot
Ester Ideskog, better known as Vanbot, took a trip on the Trans-Siberian railroad. And when she came back, she was inspired to put together Siberia. Whatever happened to her on that musical journey, it reflects itself onto the record with icy beats on "Stay With Me (Perm)" and the haunting "Hard to Get Used To (Baikal)."
The Swedish singer brings the best of what her country is known for with experimental electronic and pop melodies with her own soothing vocals. If you're looking for something with more punch, "Louder (Ulan-Ude)" and "Close Enough (Ulan Bator)" are the tunes for you. For anyone looking looking to punch up their party track list, Siberia is worth listening to.
'Love in the 4th Dimension' - The Big Moon
The Big Moon may be a new band. However, after listening to their debut record, Love in the 4th Dimension, you would think this isn't their first trip into the studio.
Sure, they have probably been playing for years separately, but the tightness in the band's playing on each track from "Pull the Other One" and the banger, "Bonfire" can't be denied. This could be thanks to the album's producer Catherine Marks, but it's safe to say that the indie rock quartet knew what they were doing when they were recording the album. They knew when to implement quiet moments on tracks like "The Road" and "Formidable," but also full-on wild out on songs including the title track. Love in the 4th Dimension is a strong opening effort for the young band and makes us very excited to see what they come up with next.
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