#napeyes

As every Friday, music will come to overwhelm the streaming services, and while you may be waiting for your favorite artist/band new release, I will help out with a list of albums coming out this Friday that may be of your interest, if my quick description and thoughts of the singles buy you in. 

1. DUA LIPA / FUTURE NOSTALGIA / SYNTH POP

The biggest album of the week - and one of the albums that changed the release date thanks to the coronavirus - will be coming from Dua Lipa and her sophomore effort “Future Nostalgia”. Personally, I am really looking forward to hear what Dua has to offer since I was a huge fan of her very catchy debut back in 2017, the singles are promising - “Physical” rules! - , offering a more tailored production. Let’s see if Dua can come out with a great pop album. 

Single to check out: Physical

2. JORDANA / CLASSICAL NOTIONS OF HAPPINESS / BEDROOM POP

A re-release of the debut album that brought the 19-year-old to sign on a deal with Grand Jury Music, this release will expand with up to three new tracks, one of the most promising bedroom pop figures at the moment. 

Single to check out: Sway 

3. BON IVER / BLOOD BANK EP (10th Anniversary Edition) / LIVE 

Having seen Bon Iver live is already one of the highlights of my life, for sure, and this live EP of “Blood Bank” - one of my favorite EPs of all time - will indeed, rock the emotions out of you, I promise, there are just a few bands that are able to capture the magic of such songs and reshape them into something truly magnificent with live perfomances. 

Single to check out: Blood Bank (Live from Ericsson Globe, Stockholm SE, Oct 31, 2018)

4. NAP EYES / SNAPSHOT OF A BEGINNER / INDIE ROCK 

The band first came to my attention with one of the catchiest indie rock singles of the year “Mark Zuckerberg”, which I found to be incredibly well written, fun and energetic, it was enough for me to keep track of them with the singles which followed, and so far they haven’t disappointed, I have to say there is a nice balance between ballads and danceable tracks. 

Single to check out: So Tired 

5. DEEPER / AUTO-PAIN / POST PUNK 

What really grabbed me during the singles roll-out was singer/guitarist Nic Gohl’s lively perfomances, they went along perfectly with the sweet melodies the singles had to offer, kind of cute for a punk album. 

Single to check out: This Heat 

6. ACTIVITY / UNMASK WHOEVER / ART ROCK 

Intriguing as it gets, the New York band has released three singles so far, each one of them stood out thanks to the eerie and grainy production which I am a fan of, hoping their debut album will be as good as the singles. 

Single to check out: Nude Prince 

7. LITTLE DRAGON / NEW ME, SAME US / SYNTH POP

The two singles release were killer, this album looks just as promising, I hope that this is the project that finally makes me get into Little Dragon.

Single to check out: Are You Feeling Sad? (Feat. Kali Uchis) 

8. MARGARET GLASPY / DEVOTION / ALTERNATIVE ROCK 

Some of the most exciting vocal work I have heard this year with the three singles Margaret released through these three months, and I also loved the nuanced incorporation of synthesizers into folk like instrumentals, this has everything to be one of the best albums of the month. 

Single to check out: Killing What Keeps Us Alive

9.  CABLE TIES / FAR ENOUGH / POST PUNK 

I like the madness and the high-powered songs I have heard so far coming from Australia’s punk trio, I expect nothing but ragers. The singles have been a fun time, however, I just hope the full picture is more realized, if that happens, I’ll be in for the long term. 

Single to check out: Sandcastles

10.  BRIAN FALLON / LOCAL HONEY / FOLK ROCK 

If you like Phoebe Bridgers, I feel like this might be up your alley, since I am a diehard fan of Phoebe, I sense I will enjoy this album big time, the singles are cute/sad, his voice is sweet, it’s there to love. 

Single to check out: Horses 

- A handful of albums I also recommend - without the short description -

11. NICOLAS JAAR / CENIZAS 

Haven’t heard singles or anything - if there have been any - but a Nicolas Jaar album is always well received, even more when he’s just released an amazing album under A.A.L.

12. OLIVER TREE / UGLY IS BEAUTIFUL 

No singles yet but his EPs have been GREAT. Hyped for the debut. 

13. Quick Shout-Out

Waxahatchee, Half Waif, Knxwledge, Sorry, FACS and Bongeziwe Mabandla also have albums coming out this friday, some of them have had great singles but not enough for me to write something. 

Nap Eyes October 21, 2017 at the Valley Bar, Phoenix AZ [Touring for their Thought Rock Fish Scale album]

Having gone in cold with regards to Alvvays’s opener, Nap Eyes, my first impression was colored by my Sold Out ticket saving savior and friendly Canadian Concert going buddy, Andrew. He said they are in the vein of Belle and Sebastian... to which I responded, to the effect of great, as I love me some B&S! 

But after listening to their first song, they reminded me way more of Luna and a friend said as well Velvet Underground, who inspired Luna, so hey, makes sense.

Stage presence wise the quartet looked like your average guys, but with some 90′s fashion and one of them reminded me immediately of a Psychedelic Dave Grohl. Their Canadian politeness shone through in their awkward but humble stage presence, but I found it adorable as I found their songs one after the other guitar entrancing with thoughtful lyricism.

After the show, I was able to chat with “Psychedelic Dave”--the bassist, Josh Salter and the lead singer, Nigel Chapman. I told them I liked what I heard, that it reminded me of Luna--a fave band of mine to which Josh liked the sound of that also being a Luna fan. As his more famous doppleganger seems to be, he was very easy to chat with and friendly. I proceeded to purchase their latest and had them sign it and their setlist which is by far the tiniest setlist I’ve acquired... noted on the back of a thrift store tag by their Guitarist, Brad, who Nigel said was good about crafting them up every show. I love the make do with what scraps of paper you have on hand ingenuity--but I’m now curious where the tag came from as its for a ladies blouse--Ha! I gave them my 0.28 mm uniball signo to sign with and Josh signed with a mini pic of himself which reminded me of the time I had Lavender Diamonds Drummer/Artist Ron Rege, Jr sign their CD way back when one of his art pieces was featured at the art museum and Lavender Diamond welcomed me into their overly loving world.

I can’t wait to dig into the songs and lyrics! 2017 has been a musical year that is streaked with 90′s music vibes it makes me so so happy!