Outstanding new album releases by stellar Chicago artists, available now.
1 The Mekons Exquisite The post-punk pioneers pulled a pandemic surprise, dropping an album on Juneteenth, recorded and produced remotely by members from across the globe. It’s a surprisingly sturdy and often beautiful piece of work.
2 Bethany Thomas BT/She/Her The singer-songwriter has collaborated with nearly everyone in town and planted her flag in any genre you can name and probably some you can’t. Now she’s letting that sonic howitzer of a voice rip on her solo debut.
3 Half Gringa Force to Reckon Singer-songwriter Isabel Olive’s second album as Half Gringa continues her exploration of her bicultural heritage with a bravura blend of indie-folk incisiveness and Latinx pop sheen.
4 Safehold Boyish The emo-pop-rapper boasts that his debut album was “recorded in a basement in Chicago,” but its raggedy charm, wit and infectious melodies are nothing anyone should apologize for.
5 Black Moon Book Black Moon Book The new solo release from Luck of Eden Hall co-founder and Thin Cherries member Mark Lofgren is a beguiling collection of bedroom-pop gems, sung with Lennonesque sensitivity.
Robert Rodi is an author, spoken-word performer and musician who has served as Newcity’s Music Editor since 2014. He’s written more than a dozen books, including the travel memoir “Seven Seasons In Siena.” His jazz quintet recently completed a two-year residency at Uncommon Ground, and he regularly hosts a jazz singers’ jam at Lizard’s Liquid Lounge. His literary and music criticism has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, Salon, The Huffington Post and many other national and regional publications. Contact: robert@newcity.com
Music Top 5: March 2020 As a founder of Modern Lovers, Jonathan Richman helped midwife the new wave. In his subsequent solo career, he’s become a worldly, wry tunesmith.
Music Top 5: April 2020 Thom Yorke's third album is a collective of complex, often cinematic material, ranging across the compositional landscape from songs to suites.
Music Top 5: February 2020 Joe Henry is one of the few artists who’s achieved the grace and gravitas to make a solo show as exciting as an arena event.
Music Top 5: September 2019 Vic Mensa and Jesse Rutherford head up a month of powerhouse acts including Weyes Blood, Aldous Harding, Black Keys and Marquis Hill.
