Tribute – John Newman – After winning the coveted rock nyc best new artist of 2014 award, Newman proves it with an album already huge in the UK; a modern soul practitioner who understands how to put together a modern disco album with an overwhelmingly powerful blue eyed soul voice on top. It might not do more than provide pop licks and digs, but who will do it better in 2014? – A
My Own Lane – Kid Ink – On his sophomore effort Cali rapper Kid Ink rolls out the guest appearances, Chris Brown, Tyga, Pusha T (?), which disrupts his flow but not enough to stop it. He has something of the Kid Cudi meets Waka Waka easy going flow but there is nothing really generic about his beats and if his rhyming was stronger he might be major – B+
Wig Out At Jagbags – Stephen Malkmus And The Jicks – Moving his family to Berlin but don’t expect blue blue electric blue, this is business as usual and sure, if Malkmus off melody singing and proto-indie electric Pavementish songs are the same as ever, at least here they are a little better – B+
Comment: Yikes, is that it? I’m sure I’ll find more before the week is out but for one week only: get ahead of the zeitgeist!!!