Spring is here and new music releases are coming fast and furious right now; a recent column in these pages questioned whether old music is killing new music and I think there is some merit to that. But that doesn’t mean that you toss out the baby with the bathwater and act as if there isn’t a lot of good new music coming from some rather talented musicians.
For every classic Beatles, Who, or Neil Young album — there were some mega duds from the same period; we just listen to the great ones because they have proven to last the test of time.
This week is a mixed bag for sure; there is some real quality from Orville Peck and Adia Victoria, and some less than inspired music from better known acts who are seemingly coasting right now.
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Adia Victoria: “Ain’t Killed Me Yet” (Atlantic Records)
The Nashville-based singer/songwriter has earned success with her southern rock and indie blues; her latest single is a showcase of her wonderful vocals and pulsating rhythm.
Stream on Qobuz (24-bit/48kHz)
Orville Peck: Bronco: Chapters 1 & 2 (Columbia)
Orville Peck burst onto the scene with his triumphant debut, Pony, and it’s probably accurate to say that the COVID pandemic derailed his momentum just as he was starting to get some serious attention. He’s a cross between Johnny Cash, Chris Isaak, and his own unique singing style.
I’ve heard the vinyl copy of Pony on some rather impressive systems and had goosebumps for awhile; he can hold his own with anyone at this point. His music took off in the LGBTQ+ community because of the subject matter and with a more mainstream audience soon after.
Bronco is solid from start to finish but the opening track, “The Curse of the Blackened Eye” showcases his vocal range and it’s utterly beautiful music.
Vinyl at Amazon | Stream on Qobuz (24-bit/48kHz)
Weezer: SZNZ: Spring (Crush Music/Atlantic)
Has Weezer jumped the shark in their native Wisconsin just like the Fonz many decades ago? Their latest kinda limps along with the exception of “All This Love” that has their trademark kitschiness and pomp. It’s often hard to reinvent the wheel.
Stream on Qobuz (24-bit/96kHz)
Chance The Rapper: “Child of God” (Chance The Rapper LLC)
Few artists have experienced such a meteoric rise within a genre like Chance The Rapper; he’s demonstrated from his debut album that he has the talent and songwriting skills to make almost anything interesting and relatable. “Child of God” isn’t bad but sadly similar to almost everything that has come before and doesn’t break any new ground. Disappointing.
Stream on Qobuz (24-bit/48kHz)
Catch up on last month’s New Music Wednesday for March 9, 2022.
