The Early Bird: Top New Recorded Releases 5-12-23 – 5-18-23 Reviewed
SINGLES
hotline (edit) – Billie Eilish – nice to finally have Billie’s take on Aubrey’s “Hotline Bling”, very low key and lovely with piano and ukulele – B
World On Fire – Dolly Parton – Dolly socks it to climate change on a hard rocking scowl that falls on its face – C
Lipstick Lover – Janelle Monáe – a term for femme lesbians and with a sample from Stevie Wonder’s “For Your Love” on the bridge. The video is hotter than July but the song is a bland disappointment -she better have more somewhere – B-
Toretto – J Balvin – from the upcoming FAST X, the great Latin American superstar with a speedy and thrilling ride against hot trap beats and a release of speed and youth – A-
Giddy Up – Jenny Lewis – another goodie, this time a lo-fi soul song with a hushed and beautiful glow and a slow brood that works – B+
MOTHERLESS – Single Version – Killer Mike, Eryn Allen Kane – Killer Mike is better solo than as a duo and every song we have heard from his upcoming has been excellent and this is even better, the ATL rep is spitting with power as he celebrates his late Mama – B+
ALBUMS
Melodies on Hiatus – Part 1 – Albert Hammond Jr – the Strokes guitarist hasn’t been all that solo and having said that, the melodies are not on hiatus and the classic rocker indieness of it all shines throughout. A surprisingly good album – B+
Gummi Soul: Another Rubber – Matt Whipkey – I reviewed it earlier today (here), a magical re-imagination of the Beatles’ masterpiece – A
Enter Sandman EP – Motörhead – the title track dates from 1998 where it was part of a Wrestling compilation, plus their own “R.A.M.O.N.E.S”, plus “God Save The Queen” and more. Five songs. All perfect – A
O-Mit – The Fall – four outtakes from the excellent Re-Mit and all of them should’ve been on the album, this is Mark at his most accessible and the tracks function as a death dream. I’d forgotten how much I miss them – A
The Album – The Jonas Brothers – the brothers have this going for em, they remain heartthrobs and they remain dance oriented boyband vibed out, yes NSYNC but also BTS. Built to be toured behind, it is a nothing special piece of pop product – C+
