New & Notable for 2022 (Vol. 1)
The new year is already overrun with plenty of fantastic music. Here are a baker’s dozen of my faves so far…
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Bobby Rush - “Chicken Heads” (featuring Buddy Guy, Gov’t Mule, and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram)
Celebrating 50 years of his signature jam, the unstoppable force that is Bobby Rush is joined by another unstoppable force (and fellow octogenarian), Buddy Guy, as well as Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, and supported by the fierce muscle of Gov’t Mule. Smell the funk.
Kurt Vile - “Like Exploding Stones”
Set for a tax day release, the new album from Kurt Vile, (watch my moves), proves to be another spaced-out dream-fest, judging by the strength of this advance track. Let the swaying commence.
Taj Mahal & Ry Cooder - “Hooray Hooray”
The first taste of the first collaboration between Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder in well over 50 years, “Hooray Hooray” is a sneak peek at their upcoming tribute to Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, Get On Board, in stores April 22, 2022.
Big Thief - “12,000 Lines”
From their acclaimed new double-album, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You, Big Thief continue their dreamy-folk-Americana-whatever-you-call-it take on acoustic-based pop with a track that sums up their sound and approach in three glorious minutes.
Orville Peck - “Outta Time”
Teasing Bronco, his follow-up to his debut, Pony, Orville Peck shows off his impressive range on this top-down, freewheeling lament. One of the best songs of the year so far.
The Weeknd - “Less Than Zero”
From his magnificent project, Dawn FM, The Weeknd burrows himself into dark ‘80s synth-pop for this highlight on an album overflowing with them.
Aofie O’Donovan - “Phoenix”
From her third, and latest, Age of Apathy, O’Donovan channels strong Joni Mitchell vibes in this sublime, captivating track.
Eric Krasno - “Where I Belong”
Singer-songwriter/producer/multi-instrumentalist (and Lettuce co-founder), Eric Krasno’s new album, Always, is one of those all-killer-no-filler albums you hope would come along more often, but rarely does. The only downside is having to pick just one song for a list like this. I settled on the groove-that-won’t-let-go funk of “Where I Belong.”
Dig.
Spoon - “The Devil & Mister Jones”
Yes, rock’n’roll is still alive and well, and Spoon’s new album, Lucifer on the Sofa, is testament to that.
Exhibit A:
The Cactus Blossoms - “Hey Baby”
Yes, there are obvious nods to the Everlys, but the Cactus Blossoms also scratch that itch that was left by Foster & Lloyd and the O’Kanes in those glorious long-lost days of the “New Traditionalists” of mid-’80s county. You can’t help but get swept up in their easy-rolling thing.
Brent Cobb - “When It’s My Time”
Cobb’s latest album is his love letter to Gospel. Among all the usual suspects that filled Baptist and Methodist Hymnals over the years, is this late-night confession that’s as honest as it is moving.
Adia Victoria - “You Was Born To Die” (featuring Kyshona, Margo Price, & Jason Isbell)
From the fantastic A Southern Gothic, Adia Victoria reaches back to the roots of us all for this raw and chilling slice of gritty blues, with a little help from Kyshona, Margo Price, and Jason Isbell channeling his best Ry Cooder.
Bigdumbhick - “Ain’t Nobody Listening To Me”
Jeff Wall, a/k/a Bigdumbhick, is one of a kind, which is probably a good thing (as he’ll tell you), but we’re lucky to have his skewed take on the weird as well as the mundane. From his latest appropriately-titled, appropriately, A Little Bit Weird, “Ain’t Nobody Listening To Me” will immediately be felt by anyone who’s ever played for tips, beer, a slice of pizza, or anything - or nothing - at all, in front of a crowd that couldn’t care less.
If you’re more into handy playlists, here you go (or better yet, go buy physical copies of everyone featured here and elsewhere on this site, if it moves you).
