Crucial Releases: most of April edition

As I mentioned in my last post, I've been building out a cool little side project for the Crucial Tracks community and music fans, in general. Please check out the new Crucial Tracks app, if you haven't already!

This post, however, gets us back on track with new music. Three weeks of April new releases to contend with, so let's jump right in – there are three featured records and a lot of honorable mentions to cover!

First up is one of my favorite albums of the year, Bon Iver's SABLE, fABLE (Listen)... Bon Iver is one of those artists that I think can do no wrong. I've enjoyed every one of his records and have certainly enjoyed the progression from For Emma, Forever Ago (2007) to 22, a Million (2016), and I, I (2019)...

SABLE, fABLE does a great job honoring that progression as well, with the SABLE EP portion paying homage to the earlier "cabin" years and the fABLE part building off of his newer work. It's a well crafted collection of 13 songs.

If you ever have the chance to see them live, I highly recommend. Though it sounds like he is taking a break from touring for a while. The Mrs. and I got to see Bon Iver at Artpark in 2022... and it was honestly one of the best concerts I've ever been to... the Mrs. wasn't sold on Bon Iver prior to the show, but came out a fan. It was so good – the sound, the stage set up, everything:

Favorite tracks on SABLE, fABLE: "SPEYSIDE", "AWARDS SEASON", "Everything is Peaceful Love", "Day One", "I'll Be There", and "If Only I Could Wait"

The second album is Welcome to My Blue Sky by Momma (Listen). Momma is pretty much the new Veruca Salt to me – one of my favorite bands from the 90s. It's not just the band make up either – Momma write serious earworms and shred on the guitar, just like Nina Gordon and Louise Post.

Welcome to My Blue Sky is their fourth album and second for Polyvinyl Records, home to bands like Alvvays, Ian Sweet, The Get Up Kids, Jeff Rosenstock, Squirrel Flower, and others. Their last album Household Name (2022) was on my favorite albums finalist list for that year. It's well worth checking out too.

Favorite tracks: "Rodeo", "I Want You (Fever)", "Last Kiss", "Bottle Blonde", and "Ohio All the Time"

Finally, for my third album of the month (so far) it's one of my favorite hardcore records of the year: A Life's Refrain by Speedway (Listen)

Speedway are from Stockholm, Sweden and do the later Bold sound very well. Part youth crew, part metal, part melody. Looking Back (Listen) from Bold is one of my favorite hardcore records and this one may be up with it one day. (It's even on the same record label - Revelation Records)

Favorite tracks: "Passion Play", "Day by Day", "Sanctified", "Solitaire", and "Tomorrow Once More"

Honorable Mentions

Kit-Cat by Casper Skulls (Listen)
The Toronto band's second album. Led by a husband-wife duo, they harness the 90's alternative nostalgia to capture 11 high quality songs. A new-to-me band prior to this album... I liked the album so much, they will be a highly recommended new-to-you band as well. 😄

I Heard That Noise by quickly, quickly (Listen)
Written, performed, recored, produced and mixed by Graham Johnson - aka quickly, quickly. Absolutely beautifully arranged lo-fi folk, complete with orchestral elements (horns, strings, keys) and quirky electronic elements. Highly recommended.

Forty by Blu (Listen)
One of my favorite indie hip-hop MCs who released classics with DJ/producer Exile: Miles (2020), Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them (2012) and Below the Heavens (2007). Over 20 years of records and this one is a celebration of him turning 40. One of my favorite hip-hop albums of the year so far.

Bite Down by Ribbon Skirt (Listen)
The Hole/Mannequin Pussy influence is obvious, but this album stands above the rest that follow those bands with great, honest songwriting. Worth your time, for sure.

Forever Howlong by Black Country, New Road (Listen)
This band gets all the hype, especially for their sophomore album Ants From Up There (2022)... which took some time for me to understand. Anyway, their lead singer left and the rest of the band made this album... which I actually like a lot more. It's orchestral indie rock/pop that you'd imagine every band nerd friend group tries to do, but this one succeeds at... in the best way. 😄

Jellywish by Florist (Listen)
Florist's fifth album and first since 2022. Very sweet, earnest (and some times a little off kilter) indie folk similar to Adrianne Lenker. Well done and highly recommended if you are into the genre.

Are We All Angels by Scowl (Listen)
Scowl leveled up in the same way Turnstile did a few years ago, taking their hardcore punk sound to a new level. This band will be huge soon, if not already...

Moths Strapped to Each Other's Backs by Bedridden (Listen)
The debut album from Bedridden. Heavy, fuzzy shoegaze – but great hooks and melodies. Excited to see where this band goes.

Send a Prayer My Way by Julien Baker & TORRES (Listen)
Queer country (or Cuntry as they put it) – it's everything you'd expect from these two artists making a country/folk album. A little too country for me at times, but it's a well done album that's worth your time if you like the genre.

s/t by Superheaven (Listen)
Heavy shoegaze in the vein of Hum and Deftones. Their first album in 10 years! Worth a listen, if you enjoy the sound.

Like Cartoon Vampires by The Convenience (Listen)
The band has evolved from more of a 80s synth pop sound to a more angular, post-punk sound. If you like any of the bands below, you'll dig this... it's well done.

Owls, Omens, and Oracles by Valerie June (Listen)
I remember checking out her Pushin' Against a Stone (2013) but not much in between. Feel like that might have been a mistake – this album is very good. Not many artists do the soul/folk/blues thing as well as her.