first aid kit – Audiofemme

RIP Dolores O’Riordan (September 6, 1971 – January 15, 2018)

We lost one of the greats this week. On Monday, January 15th, Dolores O’Riordan, lead singer of Irish rock band, the Cranberries, passed away in London, where she had been recording. She was 46. The sad news was announced by her publicist. The cause of death has not been announced but authorities are not treating it as suspicious and are awaiting the test results of a coroner’s examination.

Born in 1971 in Ireland, O’Riordan auditioned for the Cranberries (then called The Cranberry Saw Us) in 1990 after answering an advertisement seeking a female singer. After recording a rough demo of “Linger,” she was officially in the band. They soon went on to record the EP, Nothing Left At All and eventually signed to Island Records. The group achieved mainstream success with the single “Dreams,” off of their 1993 debut album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? The song immortalized nineties teen angst (visually preserved in an especially memorable scene of “My So-Called Life”). The album eventually sold over 40 million records. In 1994, the band took a more serious turn with the release of No Need To Argue which featured the hit single, “Zombie,” a protest song written in memory of two victims of the 1993 IRA bombings in Warrington, England. After No Need to Argue the Cranberries released three more albums – To the Faithful Departed (1996), Bury The Hatchet (1999), and Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (2001), before breaking up in 2002. O’Riordan then went on to put out two solo albums, Are You Listening? (2007), and No Baggage.

In 2009, the same year that she released No Baggage, The Cranberries reunited on tour and recorded material for their 2012 release, Roses. In April of last year they released their seventh studio album, Something Else. They embarked on an international tour in support of the album before having to cancel in July 2017 due to health issues with O’Riordan’s back. Despite this knowledge, O’Riordan’s fans were hoping for a comeback as the singer had posted on Facebook during the recent holidays, saying that “she was feeling good” and accomplished her “first bit of gigging in months.”

O’ Riordan will be buried in Ireland next week. She is survived by her three children.

New Albums from Belle & Sebastian, Porches, Tune-Yards & More!

This has been the biggest week for album releases in the year thus far. Belle and Sebastian released How to Solve Our Human Problems, Pt. 2. It’s the second part of their much anticipated EP trilogy; the final installment is slated to arrive February 16th.

Just in time for his upcoming tour with Miguel, SiR released his latest album, November. The jazz-inflected R&B singer is signed with TDE; the label is riding a incredibly high wave thanks to their critically-lauded 2017 releases, including Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN. and SZA’s Ctrl.

The Go! Team made us feel old by releasing their fifth (!) album this week. Semicircle features their signature mash-up of cheerleader shouts and marching band sounds, with some ’60s sitar thrown in for good measure. They play NYC in April.

Swedish band First Aid Kit gave us Ruins this week. It’s their first album in four years. Aaron Maine released The House, his third album as Porches. Two tracks off the release, “Find Me,” and “Country,” have already been given the video treatment.

British dancepunk trio Shopping also released their third full-length this week. The Official Body will have you contemplating current events and social institutions while grooving to dance synths and heavy basslines reminiscent of Bush Tetras and Au Pairs.

Last but definitely not least, Tune-Yards released I can feel you creep into my private life. The band’s founder, Merrill Garbus, recently told The New York Times that the new album is heavily influenced by learning how to DJ and attending seminars about race relations. Case in point? The catchy pop grooves of lead single, “ABC 123,” will have you bopping your head to the lyric, “I can ask myself, what should I do? But all I know is white centrality. My country served me horror coke. My natural freedom up in smoke.”

Other Highlights

Wu-Tang’s RZA appears in a brand new video for PETA. The ad features the longtime vegan’s voiceover as his face shifts into different people and animals. Governors Ball announced James Blake as its final headliner for the 2018 June lineup. Kylie Minogue’s new single, “Dancing,” gives us a taste of her fourteenth studio album, Golden, out April 6th. Cardi B is the subject of a new Tidal “mini-documentary.” I’m Here Muthaf*ckas follows her as she headlines Jeremy Scott’s Art Basel dinner party for Moschino. Julien Barbagallo, the drummer of Tame Impala, released a video for “L’échappée.” The single is off of his upcoming album, Danse Dans Les Ailleurs, which is sung entirely in French. Five of David Bowie’s albums are getting vinyl re-issues: Low, Heroes, Lodger, Scary Monsters, and Stage will be available individually on February 23rd via Parlophone. Migos member Offset has offended many with a homophobic statement (this time in a lyric), AGAIN. Mary J. Blige honors the Time’s Up movement with new single, “Bounce Back 2.0.” Fischerspooner’s new NSFW music video celebrates male sexuality. Bad Wolves have released their cover of the Cranberries’ “Zombie.” Dolores O’Riordan was scheduled to record vocals for the track before her passing; proceeds from the single will benefit her children.

We’ve all been a bit preoccupied thinking about the musical headlines of 2017, but I’m here to do a little forward-thinking this week. The temperatures have finally dropped to seasonally appropriate lows, Uber is hiking its carfare, and I’m craving soup. That’s right: It’s winter. And while this isn’t the most wonderful season in New York (see: snow of every color but white), there is still a hell of a lot of great music coming out in the next three months.

Whether it’s a long-awaited record by Nils Frahm or a New Year’s Eve gig by Hot Chip, musicians sure ain’t hibernating this winter, and neither should you. Here are my top picks for upcoming album releases and New York concerts to keep you warm on frosty nights. Don’t forget your puffy coat.

01/19:

First Aid Kit, Ruins

Swedish sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg will follow-up their 2014 debut Stay Gold with the much-anticipated Ruins. The folk duo recently released the single, “Postcard” and will headline New York’s Beacon Theatre on February 19th.

Porches, The House

Porches mastermind Aaron Maine worked on his third LP The House for a solid 18 months. That’s no surprise given the record’s colorful list of contributors, including Dev Hynes, (Sandy) Alex G, and Maine’s own father. The album will be a follow-up to Porches’ 2016 Pool and Water EP. Check out the video for the first single, “Find Me” below.

01/26:

Nils Frahm, All Melody

There is no album I am more excited about in 2018 than All Melody, Nils Frahm’s follow-up to 2015’s Solo. Recorded in Frahm’s brand new, custom built studio, All Melody ventures into sonic territory untraveled by the artist so far – namely his new use of the human voice. The composer, instrument designer, and all-around piano philosopher is supporting the record with a worldwide tour, playing New York’s Knockdown Center on March 15th. I’ll be in the front row, weeping at every keystroke.

No Age, Snares Like A Haircut

Drag City and Sub-Pop alums No Age are hitting extra heavy on their fourth full-length Snares Like A Haircut. The Los Angeles duo comprising drummer/vocalist Dean Spunt and guitarist Randy Randall kicked off the record’s promo with killer single “Soft Collar Fad.” Perhaps the upcoming record is best described by Drag City’s website, which calls it, “Rock and roll for the black hole.”

02/02:

Field Music, Open Here

2018 will be a great year for siblings. Peter and David Brewis of Field Music certainly ensure this fate (along with First Aid Kit). Their delightfully ‘80s lead single “Count It Up” from forthcoming LP Open Here sounds like a happy marriage between Crowded House (another sibling set), Gary Numan, and Phil Collins at his hit-making best. Not too shabby for a pair of penniless Sunderland brothers.

Hookworms, Microshift

Leeds’ electro/psych rockers Hookworms will follow up their 2014 studio LP The Hum with Microshift, which is rumored to be far more dance-driven than their previous krautrock influenced work. By the sound of lead single “Negative Space” it seems that rumors are true.

02/16

Ought, Room Inside the World

Montreal’s beloved post-punks Ought released the fantastic single “These 3 Things” last month, and I’ve been chomping at the bit for their new record ever since. Room Inside the World is the band’s first record since 2015’s Sun Coming Down, and it’s sure to be a highlight of 2018.

U.S. Girls, In A Poem Unlimited

Something tells me 2018 is going be U.S. Girls’ Meghan Remy’s breakout year. It’s already apparent on Remy’s most recent single “Velvet 4 Sale” that she has grown as a composer – the track feels more fleshed out, in-depth, and powerful than some of her previous lo-fi recordings. I’m looking forward to what the entire album has in store.

02/23:

Fever Ray, Plunge

Fortunately, Fever Ray’s Karin Dreijer already dropped the digital release of Plunge in October. But for all of you vinyl collectors out there, the physical LP will be available come February 23rd via Mute and Rabid Records.

12/22:

Ovlov @Alphaville

Felix Da Housecat, Logic @Output

Spectre Folk @Union Pool

12/23:

LCD Soundsystem @Brooklyn Steel

Ovlov @Mercury Lounge

12/28:

Martin Rev (of Suicide) @Bowery Electric

12/30:

Television @Bowery Ballroom

Handsome Dick Manitoba @Bowery Electric