New music: Wesley Stace, Graham Coxon, Chvrches, The Way Down Wanderers

A wide range of highly-recommended releases are featured in my column this week.

Artist: Wesley Stace

Title: Late Style (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Steely Dan, Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach's "Painted from Memory" collaboration in 1998, Chris Stamey & the Fellow Travelers, Steely Dan

Tell me more: Blending the sounds of the past via an intoxicating mix of jazz, baroque pop and soul with an eternally-adventuresome spirit, singer-songwriter Wesley Stace has joined forces with composer David Nagler on the new album Late Style. Stace — who has also recorded a number of celebrated albums as John Wesley Harding — is an acclaimed novelist; his faith in joining forces with Nagler was an obvious leap of faith but pays huge dividends across Late Style. Indeed, Stace (a native of England who now lives in Philadelphia) would email lyrics to Nagler (who is based in New York). The parade of dozen wonderful tracks produced by Nagler and long-time Harding collaborator Chris Von Sneidern is a listener's dream. The jazzy opener "Where the Bands Are," melodious "Everything All the Time," euphonious "Come Back Yesterday," romance-themed gem "The Impossible She," soulful "Do Nothing If You Can" (the latter bolstered by some sublime Sneidern electric guitar) and acoustic-flavored "How You All Work Me" are among the timeless tracks on the wonderful and literate "Late Style." Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com and WesleyStace.com. 

Artist: Graham Coxon

Title: Superstate (Superstate)

You might like if you enjoy: Moby, Gorillaz, Blur

Tell me more:  Graham Coxon's Superstate is actually a collection of 15 tracks composed and recorded in connection with a graphic novel written by Alex Paknadel and Helen Mullane. To be clear, Superstate works wonderfully as an immersive listening experience apart from the newly-published 124-page graphic novel. The driving synth-pop gem "Yoga Town" features guest vocalist Valentina Pappalardo and is an inviting opener. The funky "Uncle Sam" features stylish guitar and electro disco romp "Only Takes A Stranger" (both with guest vocals from Rahel Debbie-Dessalegne) as well as the experimental Neo-classical "L.I.L.Y" are early nuggets on the album. "The Astral Light" blends disco, electronic and experimental sonic forces with the vocals of Pappalardo and Sharlene Hector bolstering the dystopian vibe. The dance floor-ready "Heaven (Buy a Ticket)," "The Ball of Light" and "Goodbye Universe" along with the soul-mining "Butterfly" and evocative "We Remain" also shine on the ambitious collection. Both Coxon's Superstate soundtrack and the companion graphic novel (released by Z2 Comics) are available on amazon.com. Information: GrahamCoxon.com.

Artist: Chvrches

Title: Screen Violence (Glassnote Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Chvrches, The Cure, Two Door Cinema Club

Tell me more: Chvrches is back with their ambitious fourth album, Screen Violence. The Scottish synth-pop trio recorded the album during the pandemic, working remotely on two different sides of the Atlantic. The shimmering opener "Asking for a Friend" is at once a dance-styled invitation and reflective sortie into these uncertain times. Other songs continue to showcase front woman Lauren Mayberry using her signature soprano in songs that explore fear, isolation, rejection and loneliness with tuneful candor. The wistful "California," darkly euphoric "Violent Delights," propulsive "Nightmares" and synth-swept rock closer "Better If You Don't" are among the wonderful cuts on "Screen Violence." My favorite track is the towering "How Not To Drown," a bewitching duet featuring Mayberry sharing lead and tandem vocals with The Cure's Robert Smith. Information: chvrch.es. 

Artist: The Way Down Wanderers

Title: More Like Tomorrow (Soundly Music)

You might like if you enjoy: The Jayhawks, Dawes

Tell me more:  The Way Down Wanderers' More Like Tomorrow — the Peoria, Illinois-spawned quintet's third full-length album — is a marvelous showcase for outstanding songcraft, top-tier Americana musicianship, nuanced arrangements and fantastic harmonies. The dynamic mournful tale of loss "Codeine, Rest & Loneliness," uplifting melody-soaked "Parkside Drive," rootsy sing-along "The Wire," gentle genre-bending "Dark Marks," mandolin- and banjo-bolstered "Hard Times," and sparse bluegrass-mining "Everything's Made Out of Sand" are among the standouts on the disc (set for release on Sept. 10). Information: thewaydownwanderers.com.

Robert Kinsler

Four far-flung titles worth celebrating

Those looking for musical diversity need not look further than the four far-flung titles celebrated in my latest roundup of new releases.

Artist: John Wesley Harding
Title: Greatest Other People's Hits (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Bruce Springsteen, Fastball, the Minus Five
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter John Wesley Harding delivers in full on his delightful new LP Greatest Other People's Hits, a 17-track disc where he covers a diverse field of cuts while joined by a talented field of players who bring these lively reworkings to life. The Minus Five joins Harding for a shimmering take on Pete Seeger's "Words Words Words"; Fastball helps hit Joseph Egan's "Star" out of the park via bona fide power pop perfection; the wistful "Je Suis Venu Te Dire Que Je M'en Vais" poignant soundscape is further enlightened by Harding's vocal reading in French. Other artfully reworked standouts include a sparse take of Bruce Springsteen's "Jackson Cage," a teaming with the Universal Thump for a joyful run through George Harrison's "Wah Wah," and Americana-styled "Wreck on the Highway," the latter a live performance where the song's writer (the aforementioned Springsteen) contributes vocals and acoustic guitar. Other guests heard across the album include Lou Reed, Kelly Hogan and Rick Moody. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Lasers Lasers Birmingham
Title: Warning (Lasers Lasers Birmingham)
You might like if you enjoy: Phosphorescent, George Jones, Gram Parsons
Tell me more: Many of this writer's favorite artists have issued top-tier releases independently sans the support or bigger recording budgets afforded by working with a successful record label. Add to that list Los Angeles-based Lasers Lasers Birmingham whose Warning is an 11-track album that shines with the cosmic country sound of Gram Parsons even while infused with enough 21st century aplomb to make this the artist's own. Lasers Lasers Birmingham – the moniker for singer-songwriter Alex Owen – wrote the songs in a persona, an experience pushed even further after a near-death experience when he was in a car crash in the mountains of Ojai, CA. The real-world focused lyrics often find the lead character losing control in their life; to be sure the music finds singer-guitarist Owen and a collection of contributing musicians (along with noted producer Jason Soda) firmly in control as they unleash a bold brew blending authentic Americana, folk and rock. The lovely pedal steel-adorned title track, country rocker "After Party After Life," confessional acoustic nugget "Lead Me On", breezy "Numbers and Figures" and probing tale "What a Shame" are among the outstanding songs on Warning. Information: https://www.facebook.com/LasersLasersBirmingham/.

Title: New Songs for the 20th Century
Written by: Chris Stamey (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter
Tell me more: Written, arranged and produced by dB's co-founder Chris Stamey, New Songs for the 20th Century is an amazing album. The songs astound, as if lifted out of a time machine; to highlight some songs and note others is almost criminal. Those familiar with the Great American Songbook will likely be enthralled by this rich collection. Backed by the ModRec Orchestra, many great musicians bring Stamey's new songs to life. The beautiful and luxurious "I Don't Believe in Romance" features singer Caitlin Cary and has the magic of a Burt Bacharach classic; the wistful "What is This Music that I Hear?" and "On an Evening Such as This" are both bolstered by singer Kirsten Lambert's affecting vocals. The jazzy "There's Not a Cloud in the Sky" and more contemporary "I Am Yours" are among the memorable tracks on disc one. The jazzy "Beneath the Underdog" (featuring Marshall Crenshaw, Don Dixon and Django Haskins), the beautiful "In Spanish Harlem," and nuanced "Lover, Can You Hear Me?" bring equal power to the second disc. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Highest Intention
Title: Universal Light (Highest Intention Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Bob Marley, 311, Andrew Tosh
Tell me more: Lovers of reggae music steeped in undeniable rhythms, strong lead vocals and good vibes will want to get a listen of the debut from San Francisco Bay Area band Highest Intention. Universal Light provides a welcome introduction for the Ben "Down" Lowe-led troupe, adept at offering up a range of songs. The romance-minded "Ocean," aptly-titled "Vibes" (complete with an extended instrumental section), tuneful "Riverside," jubilant "Escape" and horn section-bolstered "Hold Your Own Love" are among the excellent tracks on the disc.  Information: highestintentionband.com.





Robert Kinsler