Courtney Barnett - Before You Gotta Go
Courtney Barnett recently delivered her second single, titled “Before You Gotta Go,” off her upcoming record Things Take Time, Take Time. It’s a heartfelt, bouncing track that acts as a reminder that hurt is never the goal out of an argument. Barnett’s charming and steady voice holds a sense of gratitude as she explains to the other person what they really mean: “You’re always on my mind / If something were to happen my dear / I wouldn’t want the last words you hear to be unkind.” The spinning instrumentals provide a smooth momentum as she thoughtfully recaps the end of the fight. The track pulls you into a reflective space of your own just like most of Barnett’s music has the power to do. It takes a slight detour compared to her first single “Rae Street," which is more reminiscent of her 2017 collaboration project with Kurt Vile, Lotta Sea Lice. As always though, Barnett leaves space for everything to breathe and be absorbed. While the track fades out, there's no blame or passive-aggressiveness left, only an effort to have perspective and appreciation for someone else. Things Take Time, Take Time officially comes out via Mom + Pop on November 12, 2021. Photo by Mia Mala McDonald.
— Meredith Vance on August 19, 2021
Henry Jamison - The Wilds
Henry Jamison is a storyteller at heart. It may be in his blood — his father, a classical composer, and his mother, an English professor — but Jamison is a writer and artist in his own right, evidenced by his debut album The Wilds (released October 27th). Beyond writing, recording and arranging the album all on his own, Jamison has a special ability to bring each track to life. Take his song, “The Wilds”: it’s instrumentally rich without being overbearing, letting Jamison’s narrative whisk you away. “The Wilds” sounds like an old-time American love story - unassuming and familiar, but nevertheless, still surprising.
— Natasha Cucullo on January 7, 2018
Moses Sumney - Plastic
Los Angeles genre-bending artist Moses Sumney released his gorgeous and ethereal debut album Aromanticism into the world this September. Sumney has made a big impression on artists like Solange and Sufjan Stevens for good reason. His infusion of soul and folk come together on this album in a way that leaves us begging for more. A prime example of this heavenly blend is found on the third song of the album, “Plastic.” A previous version of the song can be heard on the first season of Issa Rae’s HBO series, Insecure. This new version serves as one of the more simplistic songs on the album, featuring just a fingerpicked electric guitar, a synth and Sumney’s captivating voice. The hook of the song repeats the line “my wings are made of plastic,” each time sung in a slightly different way than it was before, continuing to imbue the phrase with new meaning. This song of vulnerability, self-awareness and secret-spilling is the kind that you can leave on repeat and get lost in for hours.
— Dara Bankole on October 22, 2017
