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Album of the Week: The Killers – Pressure Machine

New Zealand Net Radio plays a song from our irregularly updated #albumoftheweek every hour from 9am to 12pm Monday to Friday. Listen in @tunein at https://tunein.com/radio/New-Zealand-Net-Radio-s305138/

The Guardian describes it as “their best album in years”. We’ve enjoyed others but this one is a nice change of tack. The bombastic elements are more subdued, the guitars and synths are still there but supported by harmonicas and violins. The changeup in sound supports Brandon Flower’s most personal lyrics ever. He describes part of his childhood in a small Utah town (Nephi) with nice touches. Of course there are moments of nostalgia but also the darker side of life – hillbilly heroin pills and a tragic train accident are described. An album that deserves repeated listening – we look forward to checking out the tracks this week, beginning after nine this morning with “In The Car Outside”, a song that sounds a lot like a traditional Killers song at the beginning with swirling synths..

Album of the Week: Torres – Thirstier

Solid hooks and a stronger pop ethos – the new album from Torres is a strong one. Read this great editorial from NPR:

https://www.npr.org/2021/08/04/1024304446/torres-thirstier-interview-mackenzie-scott

Album of the Week: Bleachers – Take The Sadness Out of Saturday Night

We’ve found ourselves agreeing with Pitchfork several times recently, so we were relieved to find that they described Jack Antonoff’s (lead singer/songwriter/persona of Bleachers) efforts on this album as “splitting his time between careful rock songwriting and carefree pop singing, leaving a minor impression of both”. It is in fact a brilliant collection of pop/rock reminiscent of the 80’s Jersey sound of Springsteen with some memorable melodies and great moments. The guitar – saxophone dual towards the end of “How Dare You Want More” (as seen on the Music Video) is something else!

Album of the Week: Laura Mvula – Pink Noise

This album came out a few weeks ago but we couldn’t let it go by without recognising its wonderful songwriting, get-up-and-dance vibe and great 80s electronic feel. Her third album, Mvula has really reinvented herself here – she was classically trained and although her first two albums were critically acclaimed they weren’t huge hits. This album certainly hits the spot!

Album of the Week: John Mayer – Sob Rock

Daring? Original? Subversive? This album is none of these. It is just what fans of well produced melodic music enjoy, and John Mayer pretty consistently delivers. This time there is more of an 80s feel to it, a common sound in the last year or two and to our taste there isn’t anything wrong with that. A well deserved album of the week.

New releases – 16 July 2021

So many great new releases this week – these ones caught our eye, as well as the special edition of Tina Turner’s 1989 album Foreign Affair.

Album of the Week: The Wallflowers – Exit Wounds

We don’t pay too much heed to Pitchfork magazine’s penchant for the trendy and unusual, but kudos to them for giving this fairly mainstream and predictable album 7/10. Predictable is a complement when it comes to the competently performed, melodic and well lyricised music of The Wallflowers in this first album after a break of nine years. Jakob Dylan (lead singer and songwriter) is the only remnant of the band from the heady mid 90s days of “One Headlight” but there is a surprising amount of continuity. Looking forward to checking this out. We particularly enjoyed the backing vocals from Shelby Lynne.

Album of the Week: Kings of Convenience – Peace Or Love

Pitchfork described this album as having a facade a little too smooth. The first album in 12 years from the Norwegian duo these are sophisticated and, yes smooth acoustic tracks and beautiful sounding too. A gorgeous album.

Album of the Week: Joy Oladokun – in defense of my own happiness

Joy Oladokun’s major label debut follows on from “Volume One” of the album released independently last year. Part of a slew of great music being released at the moment, this is a collection of heartfelt and well recorded songs including breakthrough singles “Breathe Again” and “Sunday”. The lyrics are astounding although melody isn’t forsaken. “let it be me” is particularly haunting and thought provoking. An amazing talent.

Album of the Week: Crowded House – Dreamers Are Waiting

What’s ten years or so between friends? Crowded House are back with a new record. The Evening Standard said “The greatest hits can wait – this band have plenty left to offer”. The new album is familiar enough to have continuity with the past, although the band’s makeup has changed dramatically with Neil Finn’s sons Liam and Elroy joining alongside longtime producer Mitchell Froom and old timer Nick Seymour. We’re excited about spinning new music from these legends!