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Leon Bridges – “Peaceful Place”
Sweet-soul man Leon Bridges just announced his fourth LP Leon — due Oct. 4 via Columbia Records. Lead single “Peaceful Place” expertly accomplishes the mission of putting us onto the album’s wavelength. The gently syncopated rhythm, stirring melody, and zen-inducing lyrics make us want to go to that place.
Tolliver – “Weed Jazz June”
“Afro-futurist Space Cowboy” Tolliver is a consummate showman and if you’ve never caught an in-person set from him, we suggest you remedy that as soon as possible. The grooves hit hard, the outfits and one-liners are always on point, and you never know what wild surprises lie in store. Sample it via Tolliver’s 2021, remote live performance for FREAKS ONLY. As for this track, it’s a slinky funk-fest that’s destined to keep you hitting that rewind button. Also keep an eye out for Nov. 8, as that’s when Tolliver’s debut LP Rosemary is set to drop.
Fousheé – “still around”
Uncategorizable up-and-comer Fousheé has just announced a new LP — Pointy Heights — due Sep. 13 via RCA Records. Lead single “Still Around” is a finely tuned, future R&B delight that’ll soothe whatever ails ya. And with heavy-hitters like Steve Lacy and Kerriem Riggins handling the song’s production and drumming (respectively) it’s automatically a winner.
Benny Trokan – “It’s Time”
Having built a mighty fine career as a journeyman guitarist in bands like Spoon, Lee Fields’ Expressions, Charles Bradley’s Extraordinaires, and even Sharon Jones’ Dap-Kings, it’s no wonder Benny Trokan was ready to try things his own way for a bit. Do You Still Think Of Me?, his forthcoming album for Daptone imprint Wick Records, is a dream come true for fans of 1960s guitar-forward, sophisti-pop. Think: Lee Hazlewood, Serge Gainsbourg, The Left Banke, etc. “It’s Time” in particular is like the great hidden Hazlewood gem that never was — bells, strings, castanets, all calibrated for a perfectly dramatic time warp effect… with just enough modernity in the mix to keep you guessing.
Karl Blau – “Pasadena”
PNW underground rocker Karl Blau came up alongside artists like Laura Veirs and The Microphones. Artists who, in certain circles, are often spoken about in hushed tones. Now based in Philly, Karl Blau still records wistful and off-kilter tunes, often with lyrics examining the thornier aspects of existence. Ahead of a new LP, Vultures Of Love, due October 18th via Otherly Love — Blau shares his latest lackadaisical heartbreaker, Pasadena.” Read a little more about it from the man himself: “I wonder if ‘Pasadena’ would bring the listener a sense of longing and connect with a desire for change. To me it has a very NW feeling, harkening to my roots of K bands, early Beck, Bret Lunsford-ian chord progression. Yet singing about a place in “California” and written in Philadelphia.”