Crucial Releases: May 2
We have a bunch of really solid releases this week, but I am going to cheat and pick the album that was a surprise release (to me, at least) yesterday. Only because it is SO good and I can't wait for next week's post. That record is from our first two-time Featured Crucial Release artist, Men I Trust, who also released Equus Asinus in March of this year.
Their latest album, Equus Caballus (Listen), continues where we left off with Men I Trust. Vibe-y indie bedroom pop, with jazz and R&B influences. This new album is the best collection of songs I've heard from them, which is saying something – their March release was very good.
Favorite tracks: "Husk", "Carried Away", "Another Stone", "In My Years", "Billie Toppy" (love the post punk vibes on that song and "Worn Down"!)... geez, just listen to the whole thing – it's so damn good.
Honorable Mentions
Gumshoe by Samantha Crain (Listen)
Another very good album this week... and may have been considered for a feature if it weren't for Men I Trust. Crain has such a unique, powerful voice. And she's a hell of a songwriter.
Animaru by Mei Semones (Listen)
This album is actually very interesting and probably would have been considered for a feature any other week as well. Jazz, bossa nova, and math rock influenced indie rock, with lyrics in English and Japanese. Super catchy and lots of great hooks.
Every Time I Feel Afraid by Carriers (Listen)
Carriers does the indie folk/American thing very well. Dig this collection of songs and they even did a Sharon Van Etten cover! (One of my favorite songs too.)
Joy Coming Down by Club Night (Listen)
Club Night mixes noise-y soft/loud dynamics with anthemic Midwest emo to deliver a combination of Los Campesinos! and Foxing. A pretty nice combination, IMO.
I also love that the final song is an ode to Frightened Rabbit and the late Scott Hutchison (a friend/mentor of Club Night's singer.) The song ends with "while I'm here, I'll make tiny changes to earth." – a nod to "Head Rolls Off" on Frightened Rabbit's 2008 album The Midnight Organ Fight.
Who Will Look After the Dogs? by PUP (Listen)
PUP is as solid as it comes, putting out consistently good albums every two to three years. Absolutely loved The Unraveling of Puptheband and Morbid Stuff...and this one is right up there. Anthemic, noisy, "post-emo power pop punk"...
There are points in your life that are defined by music. Songs represent relationships. Songs trigger memories. These are all crucial tracks.
Crucial Tracks is the song-a-day music journal where you share the songs that play a role in your life. Integrates with Apple Music, Mastodon, and Bluesky. Free to use!
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