Crucial Releases for February 7

What a week for new music! One featured album, plus six honorable mentions and probably three or four more that at some point in my life, I probably would have liked more than I do today. I seriously considered expanding the feature section to include the new Sharon Van Etten and Sleeper's Bell records. SO close.

With all that said, my pick for this week is Cowards by Squid. Squid is an English band that mixes post-punk with elements of experimental rock, new wave, jazz, prog rock, and krautrock to fashion a unique sound. Prior to releasing Cowards, Squid released two other albums, their 2021 debut Bright Green Fields (Listen) and the 2023 sophomore release O Monolith. (Listen)

The theme of Cowards, from the band:

Their third album sees the band hovering above distinct stories of human evil. Nine stories whose protagonists reckon with cults, charisma and apathy. Real and imagined characters wading into the dark ocean between right and wrong.

And lyrically, the words are broadly applicable to much more than these stories, like the chorus on the title track could be the Stockholm Syndrome we all live with in our current society:

Polythene bags will never go away
Us dogs and rats will never escape
If you said it could be better out
I probably won't believe you
I'll knock the teeth out my head
And we'll see
All the things waiting for me
Beyond the castle walls
Beyond the garage doors

My favorite tracks on the album include: "Building 650", "Crispy Skin", "Cro-Magnon Man", "Blood on the Boulders", and "Showtime!" Highly recommended.

Also – be sure to check the live video I included below. It caused me to add Squid to my "must see live" list. It looks like quite the experience!

Cowards by Squid

→ Shop: Bandcamp | Amazon

Stream the album

Honorable Mentions

Clover by Sleeper's Bell (Listen)
The debut full length album from this Chicago duo. This record is squarely in my female-fronted indie folk interest zone. Very well done, with nice touches like the string flourish in "Bad Word" to help it stand apart from the rest.
→ Shop: Bandcamp

Sharon Van Etten & the Attachment Theory by Sharon Van Etten (Listen)
One of my favorite singer-songwriters ever, Sharon Van Etten goes the collaborative songwriting route with her band for this new album. I hear 80s synth fueled rock/pop influences throughout all of the songs, which at times gives it a darker, more rocking feel than most of her past work.
→ Shop: Amazon | Direct

Glutton for Punishment by Heartworms (Listen)
The debut full length album from Jojo Orme aka Heartworms. Dance-y, sinister, dark, haunting...and well done. I keep writing I "generally don't like goth-influenced music", but at this point you probably think I am a liar.
→ Shop: Amazon

s/t by Michigander (Listen)
Saw Michigander open for Manchester Orchestra in Buffalo a few years ago and was very impressed. After a series of EPs and singles, this self-titled releases is his first full length album.
→ Shop: Amazon

Open Wide by Inhaler (Listen)
I wasn't familiar with Inhaler prior to checking this record out. There are a handful of good songs on this record, though most of it is a little too mainstream festival rock for my tastes. I can see why their popularity is growing, though. That and Bono's son is the frontman of the band.
→ Shop: Amazon

Life is Beautiful by Larry June, 2 Chainz and The Alchemist (Listen)
Larry June's 9th full length album since 2020, this time with two other hip-hop legends. June's West Coast hip hop, crossed with 2 Chainz Atlanta style and The Alchemist's legendary soulful beats...a match made in heaven.