Outstanding new album releases by stellar Chicago artists.
1 Smashing Pumpkins “Cyr” The band’s eleventh studio release is a massive twenty-track, double-album bonanza. If the title single is any indication, expect defiantly old-school synth-pop. Available November 27
2 The Flat Five “Another World” The beloved five-member supergroup brings their often tongue-in-cheek, but always earnestly gorgeous, harmonies to a new platter of kinda-sorta throwback goodness. Available November 13
3 Rob Mazurek & Exploding Star Orchestra “Dimensional Stardust” The legendary cornetist-composer’s latest is billed by Chicago label International Anthem as a “potentially career-defining” album, and features A-list collaborators like hometown stalwart Damon Locks. Available November 20
4 Chris Greene Quartet “misSPACEd” A follow-up to the jazz ensemble’s acclaimed 2019 release, “SPACE,” which was recorded live at Evanston’s venue of that name, this EP features three tracks from the same session. Available now
5 Rich Krueger “The Troth Sessions” A voice and a guitar—you can’t distill the alchemical appeal of music much beyond that; and it’s a formula the pandemic can’t touch. Folk balladeer Krueger weaves an astonishing tapestry of story, texture and melody on his latest full-length. Available now
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,” and 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
