3 Songs: On Repeat (Extended Edition)

David Byrne – “This Is That” (The art-pop icon returns after fourteen years with a new solo album, American Utopia, out today on Todomundo / Nonesuch Records.  On this standout single, a collaboration with Oneohtrix Point Never, Byrne remains as creative as ever, blending Chinese folk instruments with Gospel over top an echoing electronic beat.  Elsewhere, Byrne delivers big statements on current social issues as only he can, with interesting production assistance from with longtime collaborator Brian Eno as well as producers Doveman, Jack Peñate, Jam City and others for one of his best solo efforts.)    

Stream: https://youtu.be/my2lboGXQ7I

Matthew Ryan – “Hustle Up Starlings (Unadorned)” (Hot on the heels of last year’s Hustle Up Starlings - an album that seamlessly veered from beautifully melancholic piano-led balladry to shimmering, atmospheric guitar-rock and was produced by and featured Brian Fallon of The Gaslight Anthem - Matthew Ryan has just released Starlings Unadorned A Collection Of Acoustic Versions, Demos & Previously Unreleased Songs.  The compilation features several stripped-down, “unadorned” versions of Starlings songs that reveal Ryan’s greatest strengths: his gruff baritone voice and stellar songwriting.  Also included are three previously unreleased songs in their demo form.  Stream the beautiful and poignant unadorned version of the title track below.) https://matthewryan.bandcamp.com/album/starlings-unadorned-a-collection-of-acoustic-versions-demos-previously-unreleased-songs      

Stream: https://matthewryan.bandcamp.com/track/hustle-up-starlings-unadorned

Dick Stusso – “Getting Loose” (Dick Stusso is the moniker of Oakland singer-songwriter Nic Russo.  As Stusso, Russo opines about money and mortality as he effortlessly combines country-leaning, Roy Orbison-like rock and roll with T. Rex-esque glam-rock on his excellent sophomore album, In Heaven, out now on Hardly Art.  The album was recorded and produced in an old church by psych-rock songwriter and producer Greg Ashley and the strutting standout single heard here is the perfect introduction to Dick Stusso’s sound.) http://smarturl.it/dickstusso

Stream: https://soundcloud.com/hardlyartrecords/dick-stusso-getting-loose

Joey Dosik – “Game Winner” (The L.A. based singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist and producer with the golden voice recently released an expanded reissue of his debut EP, Game Winner, via Secretly Canadian.  Previously, Dosik has collaborated with jazz-funk outfit Vulfpeck, Nikka Costa and others and originally recorded the EP in 2015 while holed up after a knee surgery and self-released the year after.  On the EP he pays homage to both the game of basketball and classic 60’s soul music. The deluxe edition adds on four more tracks to the 6-track EP including newly-issued bonus tracks and remixes.) https://joeydosik.bandcamp.com/album/game-winner    

Stream: https://soundcloud.com/joeydosik/game-winner

Hibou – “Fall Into” (Seattle multi-instrumentalist Peter Michel recently released the second album with his experimental project on Barsuk Records, titled, Something Familiar.  Stepping out of the bedroom and into the studio for the first time, the new album is highlighted by a bump in fidelity to better showcase the songs that have been perfectly crafted with a full sound that incorporate electronics and 80's-loving synth-pop, blissful dream-pop alongside danceable beats and memorable melodies.  Check out the lite funk and shimmering synths of the standout track heard here.) https://www.barsuk.com/artists/hibou     

Stream: https://soundcloud.com/hibouband/fall-into

Stay Inside – “Your Guardsmen Swarm Like Locusts” (The multi-cultural Brooklyn post-hardcore outfit recently released their new EP, The Sea Engulfs Us and the Light Goes Out, via Old Press Records.  The emerging quartet combines heady, socially-conscious lyrics with intricate math-rock rhythms, emo-punk guitar riffs and fiery scream-along hooks that feel instantly familiar yet of their own.) http://music.oldpressrecords.com/album/the-sea-engulfs-us-and-the-light-goes-out  

Stream: http://music.oldpressrecords.com/track/your-guardsmen-swarm-like-locusts