New & Notable for 2022 (Vol. 2)
Now that we’re well over halfway through the year, let’s check out some of the best music that’s arrived since our last installment. (Click here for volume one.)
Bonnie Raitt - “Made Up Mind”
The kick-off track of her incredible new album, Just Like That… finds Raitt in that sweet spot that made her a superstar in the Nick of Time/Luck of the Draw era. She makes this fine Bros. Landreth song her own by simply wrapping those warm, bluesy vocal cords around it and layering her biting, silky slide throughout. A perfect way to announce her return following her - and our - extended isolation from the outside world.
Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs- “Wicked Mind”
Campbell has kept busy since the untimely death of his brother-in-arms, Tom Petty, in 2017. He filled the gap left by a fired Lindsey Buckingham in Fleetwood Mac and he formed a raucous new band, the Dirty Knobs. The lead-off track of their second release is representative of the album as a whole: a loud, dirty, celebration of rock’n’roll at its best.
Elles Bailey- “Who’s That”
Big voice, bluesy, rootsy with a strong hook. Bailey’s been kicking around the music scene for a while now and it’s time more folks knew her name.
Harry Styles - “As It Was”
It took an appearance on Howard Stern, where Styles performed a version of Peter Gabriel’s 80s-defining moment, “Sledgehammer”, that finally made me take notice of pop’s biggest star. Now, everything I hear from this former boy-band idol is better than what came before. Following in the footsteps of everyone from Bowie and Mercury to Prince and, yes, Gabriel, I expect Harry to stick around for quite a while.
Twen - “Feeling In Love (From the Waist Down)”
Finding new music is still a thrill, and discovering an act as joyous as Twen makes sifting through hours of blandness more than worth it. These Bostonians mix neo-psychedelic rock and pop with aural atmospherics that entrance and delight. (See - or hear - also, “Dignitary Life”.)
Robin Trower - “No More Worlds To Conquer”
Trower is still gifting us quality, moody, transcendent blues-rock well into the 21st century, and the title track from his fine new album is no exception. The theme was inspired by Alexander the Great, but don’t let that distract you. That fat, inimitable tone and the gruff vocals of Richard Watts deserve the focus. (Trower handles the bass as well, with drums provided by Chris Taggart.) You can almost hear the bridge sighing under the weight of these moody blues.
Dave Stryker - “River Man”
A beautiful cover of a Nick Drake song, Stryker and his combo of jazz all-stars (including bassist John Patitucci, pianist Julian Shore, drummer Brian Blade, and featuring Sara Caswell on violin) glide effortlessly through this dreamy arrangement; a welcome nine-minute respite from the world.
Amythyst Kiah - “Sugar”
Kiah puts her deeply soulful spin on this powerful Tori Amos chestnut, fully transforming the 1992 subtle masterpiece into a driving homage to 120 Minutes-esque alternative beauty.
Kendell Marvel - “Hell Bent On Hard Times”
A Nashville songwriter by way of southern Illinois, Marvell pens tunes that stand out for their soul/blues/outlaw/whatever-you-call-it sound and feel. He’s written for and with the likes of Gary Allen, Chris Stapleton, and Jamey Johnson - guys that know how to approach the dark and lonesome side of country in the 21st century. This slab of nocturnal country blues just adds to - and deepens - an already impressive resume.
Angel Olsen - “All the Good Times”
Lonesome, trad country continues its residence on this playlist for a bit with the latest from Angel Olsen. Conjuring the greats, she finds her own space alongside them, while effortlessly bridging that timeless sound - and feeling - with the now.
Drive-By Truckers - “Welcome 2 Club XIII”
Growing up in the rural south, we all have a club that we had a love/hate relationship with. I could write a book about a few (and I just might…one day). The Drive-By Truckers crafted an album - or at least its title track - around the one where they made their bones. The fact that it mentions NC’s own legendary Sidewinder doesn’t hurt one bit. Welcome to the club…
Tedeschi Trucks Band - “Soul Sweet Song”
From one of the best album projects of the year - and, I’ll say it, decade - so far, the four-LP I Am the Moon, one of the best rock bands working today, the Tedeschi Trucks Band, gives us this sweet soul number that accentuates all that’s great about them in just under four minutes. Sweet.
The Struts - “Fallin’ With Me”
There’s been a quiet yet glorious resurgence of rock’n’roll occurring over the last few years, and UK neo-glammers The Struts are part of that (see also Italy’s Måneskin, etc). On their new single, the ebullient “Fallin’ With Me”, the chorus boasts one of the best hooks of the year, and their hunger and enthusiasm jump right off the screen.
Kaitlin Butts - “it won’t always be this way”
Just as there’s been a resurgence of rock of late, more and more artists are reaching back to country music’s roots for inspiration. A powerful storyteller and vocalist, Butts knows her way around a country song, while pointing the way to a more ass-kicking future for the embattled genre by reclaiming its past. This song is exhibit A: a devastating, yet, in the end, hopeful reclaiming of one’s power and identity.
Kenny Roby - “New Day”
The creative force behind 6 String Drag steps out on his own again with this self-titled set. On its kick-off song, “New Day”, Roby channels the laid-back aura of the likes of the late Greg Trooper while offering a song of hope and resilience (“Here We Go Again” opening lines notwithstanding). Prime, magical stuff.
Jack Broadbent - “Ride”
Ferociously laid-back blues-rocker that seems to have jumped in a time machine from the glory days of the 1970s, Broadbent’s release Ride has all the stuff you want if you’re looking to scratch that dirty guitar and driving backbeat itch.
Sarah Borges - “Wouldn’t Know You”
The always-awesome Sarah Borges returns with the lockdown-appropriate-titled album, Together Alone, produced again by Eric “Roscoe” Ambel (who provides gritty guitar throughout). Among the many standouts is this roots-pop gem that glides along effortlessly as it sinks into your head, where it will undoubtedly set up shop for hours, if not days.
Patty Griffin - “Get Lucky”
Patty Griffin is back, but (sadly) not with a cover of the Daft Punk modern classic. Instead, her “Get Lucky” is the perfect launch to an album of no-nonsense, raw, demo-like recordings that promote a quiet evening of back-porch reflection. Roll tape.
Ian Noe - “River Fool”
Look! Up on the stage! It’s John Prine! It’s Mike Cross! It’s…
No, it’s Ian Noe. A Kentuckian that, in fact, did open for Prine, Noe’s voice and sound do harken back to those halcyon days of progressive country singer-songwriters, but his lyrics also touch on today’s concerns, which, as it happens, are still pretty timeless. So I guess it all evens out. Either way, his new album is one of the highlights of the year.
Willie Nelson - “I Don’t Go To Funerals”
Willie’s output in the last decade would be considered prolific for any artist, but for one who’s quickly approaching 90, it’s remarkable. The fact that it’s all of high quality, with some even rivaling his classic work, is even more exciting. The perfect example is this track from his latest album, A Beautiful Time, which has Willie once again flipping the bird at mortality.
Eric Ambel - “Honky Tonk Women”
With Jimbo Mathus behind the boards and on guitar, roots-rock legend Eric “Roscoe” Ambel takes this classic Stones rave-up to its logical conclusion: blending their hard rockin’ 45 version with Let It Bleed’s “Country Honk”, while creating a take that sounds like it was taped off the floor of some late ‘50s Bakersfield honky tonk. Rave on!
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).
