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Albums Out Today: Kendrick Lamar, The Smile, Florence and the Machine, Ethel Cain, and More

In this segment, we showcase the most notable albums out each week. Here are the albums out on May 13, 2022:


Kendrick Lamar, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers

The long-awaited follow-up to DAMN. has arrived. Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, which Kendrick Lamar announced last month via a link to his Oklama website, is his final album Top Dawg Entertainment. It boasts collaborations with Portishead’s Beth Gibbons, Summer Walker, Ghostface Killah, Thundercat, Baby Keem, Sampha, Kodak Black, and more, while the voice of spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle appears prominently throughout. The record also features production from Pharrell Williams, the Alchemist, Sounwave, Boi-1da, Beach Noise, Duval Timothy, DJ Dahi, DJ Khalil, J.LBS, and others. A few days ago, Lamar shared his first song as lead artist since 2018, ‘The Heart Part 5’, the latest in his long-running ‘The Heart’ series.


The Smile, A Light for Attracting Attention

The Smile – the new project of Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood and Sons of Kemmet’s Tom Skinner – have released their debut album, A Light for Attracting Attention, via XL. Produced by Nigel Godrich, the record was preceded by a series of singles, including ‘Free in the Knowledge’, ‘You Will Never Work in Television Again’, ‘The Smoke’, ‘Skrting on the Surface’, and ‘Pana-vision’. It features strings by the London Contemporary Orchestra as well as a full brass section of contemporary UK jazz players such as Byron Wallen, Theon and Nathaniel Cross, Chelsea Carmichael, Robert Stillman, and Jason Yarde.


Florence and the Machine, Dance Fever

Florence and the Machine is back with a new album called Dance Fever, out now via Polydor Records. The album was mostly recorded in London over the course of the pandemic, and it is co-produced by Florence Welch, Jack Antonoff, and Dave Bayley of Glass Animals. According to press materials, the record lyrically draws inspiration from the tragic heroines of pre-Raphaelite art, the gothic fiction of Carmen Maria Machado and Julia Armfield, and folk horror films like The Wicker Man, The Witch, and Midsommar. The follow-up to 2018’s High as Hope was previewed with the singles ‘My Love’, ‘King’, ‘Heaven is Here’, and ‘Free’.


Ethel Cain, Preacher’s Daughter

Released yesterday via Daughters of Cain, Preacher’s Daughter is the debut album from Ethel Cain. Clocking in at 75 minutes, the follow-up to last year’s Inbred EP features the previously shared tracks  ‘American Teenager’‘Gibson Girl’ and ‘Strangers’. The album was mostly written, recorded, and produced by Cain, who collaborated with a number of multi-instrumentalists including Matthew Tomasi and Colyer. A press release describes Preacher’s Daughter as “the age old tale of an American family who refuses to learn from history and is therefore doomed to repeat it,” in which “mother forsakes daughter and daughter forsakes mother in a battle with no real villain and no real winner.” Read our review of the album, and revisit our interview with Ethel Cain.


Mallrat, Butterfly Blue

Butterfly Blue is the debut full-length by Mallrat, the project of Australian singer-songwriter Grace Shaw. It follows three EPs – 2016’s Uninvited, 2018’s In the Sky, and 2019’s Driving Music – and includes the advance tracks ‘Your Love’‘Teeth’, and the Azealia Banks-assisted ‘Surprise Me’. “I’ve always valued music that is interesting, beautiful, and unpretentious. Something timeless and not reactive,” Shaw said of the album in a statement. “Butterfly Blue was made with that in mind. It’s a demonstration of not pretending to be anyone else.” Read more about the album in our Artist Spotlight interview with Mallrat.


Kevin Morby, This Is a Photograph

Kevin Morby has followed up 2020’s Sundowner with a new record titled This Is a Photograph, out now via Dead Oceans. The album was helmed by Morby’s frequent collaborator Sam Cohen, who also produced 2016’s Singing Saw and 2019’s Oh My God, and features contributions from Cassandra Jenkins, Makaya McCraven, Tim Heidecker, Alia Shawkat, and more. “Sam Cohen and I wanted to throw everything at the wall with this one. It’s about the battle every family faces, that of chasing the clock, to live our lives and hold onto one another for as long as possible,” Morby explained in a statement. “That, and, the dreams that come with being a young family in America and where those dreams eventually end up.”


Quelle Chris, Deathfame

Quelle Chris has a new LP out called Deathfame via Mello Music Group. The Detroit rapper produced the album alongside Chris Keys and Knxwledge and features guest appearances from the likes of Navy Blue, Pink Siifu, Denmark Vessey, J Jig Cicero, and Cavalier. Ahead of its release, Chris dropped the singles ‘Alive Ain’t Always Living’ and ‘The Sky Is Blue Because the Sunset Is Red’. His previous album was 2020’s Innocent Country 2, a collaboration with Chris Keys, with whom he also worked on the score for Judas and The Black Messiah.


Say Sue Me, The Last Thing Left

Say Sue Me have dropped their last album, The Last Thing Left, via Damnably. Since forming in 2012, the South Korean band has released two other full-lengths, We’ve Sobered Up and 2018’s Where We Were Together, as well as four EPs. The new record features the promotional singles ‘No Real Place’, ‘Around You’ and ‘To Dream’. “This album has the theme of some realization, eventually the realization of love,” vocalist and guitarist Sumi Choi explained in a press release. “Love in relationships, love for oneself, and the ultimate love gained after realizing those two things!”


The Black Keys, Dropout Boogie 

The Black Keys have returned with a new album, Dropout Boogie, which follows last year’s Delta Kream and arrives one day before the 20th anniversary of the band’s debut LP, The Big Come Up. Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney’s latest features the singles ‘Wild Child’ and ‘It Ain’t Over’ as well as contributions from ZZ Top’s Billy F. Gibbons, Reigning Sound and Oblivians’ Greg Cartwright, and Kings of Leon’s Angelo Petraglia. “It’s the natural chemistry Pat and I have,” Auerbach remarked in a press release. “Being in a band this long is a testament to that. It was a real gift that we were given. I mean, the odds of being plopped down a block-and-a-half from each other in Akron, Ohio–it just seems crazy.”


Moderat, MORE D4TA

Moderat, the collaborative project of Apparat and Modeselektor, are back with their new album MORE D4TA. It marks the electronic group’s first new full-length in 6 years and includes the previously shared songs ‘MORE LOVE’, ‘Easy Prey’, and ‘Fast Land’. In 2018, the duo announced they would be taking an extensive break after touring in support of 2016’s III and spent two years away from each other before deciding to continue working together. Across 10 tracks, MORE D4TA deals with feelings of isolation and information overload the group experienced following their hiatus.


Bear’s Den, Blue Hours

Bear’s Den have issued their fourth LP, Blue Hours, via Communion Records. The album sees the British folk duo reuniting with longtime producer Ian Grimble. “Blue Hours is a kind of imaginary space you get into at night, a place where you process difficult things or where you try to figure everything out,” the band’s Andrew Davie said of the album. “While making the record we wanted to get across a kind of simmering intensity with the song and the idea of someone trying to keep their shit together while wrestling with these darker thoughts and feelings. We wanted to get across a sense of bravery & triumph in saying, ‘sometimes I can’t pull myself out’ of these difficult situations. To celebrate the difficult moments because we all have them. They are a universally shared experience even if it feels sometimes like they’re not and you’re the only one who feels them.”


Other albums out today:

Emma Ruth Rundle, EG2: Dowsing Voice; Obongjayar, Some Nights I Dream of Doors; Lyle Lovett, 12th of June; Victor Mucho, Moonlight in Visby; Mandy Moore, In Real Life; An Moku & Stefan Schmidt, Zwischenraum; The Chainsmokers, So Far So Good; Sam Gendel & Antonia Cytrynowic, LIVE A LITTLE;Ye Vagabonds, Nine Waves; Yves Jarvis, The Zug; Gentle Sinners, These Actions Cannot Be Undone; Luke Steele, Listen to the Water; Flanger Magazine, After the Bend; Craig David, 22; Sister Ray, Communion; Nectar, No Shadow; Modal Melodies, Modal Melodies; Moon Tooth, Phototroph; Perel, Jesus Was an Alien; Haress, Ghosts.

My Chemical Romance Return With New Song ‘The Foundations of Decay’

My Chemical Romance are back with their first new song in eight years. It’s called ‘The Foundations of Decay’, and you can listen to it below.

Produced by Doug McKean, Gerard Way, and the band’s guitarist Ray Toro, ‘The Foundations of Decay’ arrives ahead of the MCR’s reunion tour, which kicks off next week in the UK. It’s the band’s first new song since ‘Fake Your Death’, a song that appeared on the 2014 greatest hits compilation May Death Never Stop You. Their last studio album was 2010’s Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys.

Spring to Summer: 5 Tips for Transitioning Your Wardrobe

When seasons change, it is an exciting time, but it can also be confusing. It feels like just when you’ve gotten into a rhythm of wearing the perfect seasonal wardrobe, there’s a new season creeping just around the corner. Well, we’re here to help!

You can be prepped and ready to look your best in the new season’s weather by keeping a few things in mind. Here are five tips for you to easily and smoothly transition your spring wardrobe into summer.

Layers for Showing Off in Hotter Weather — For days with unpredictable temperature rises and drops, having cute layers to add and remove as needed is key. Stock up on cute sports bras to put underneath your springtime athleisure tops in case the day gets too hot to handle.

We love a cute sports bra peeking out underneath a loose tank or cropped tee. Pair that with some high-waisted biker shorts or light fabric leggings for a breathable and weatherproof look during season changes.

Athleisure outfits are the perfect style to take you from spring to summer comfortably — plus, you’ll be ready to jump in and get involved in all of the fun outdoor activities that the new season will bring.

A Secret Helper for Flattering Outfits — Temperatures are rising along with hemlines as summer makes its way onto our calendars. You can feel held in and secure in those tight and clingy pieces with a little help from some shapewear. There are countless styles and levels of compression available, which means that there’s always a shapewear garment for your specific outfit or need.

More women than ever before are experiencing the magic of shapewear products. The industry has been growing steadily and is forecast to continue to grow over the next several years. Why? Because it works, and women are learning to love the way they look in their sexiest outfits.

Spring style trends include loose, flowing maxi dresses but summer is all about those hotter, sexier outfits that hug your curves. So reach for your sexiest summer dress and know that you’ve got a new secret weapon to help you wear it confidently. From high-waisted compression shorts or panties to extra-firm bodysuits or corsets, you can smooth out your curves, look firm and feel secure as you rock that summer dress.

Swap In Sweaters for Jackets — As spring showers go away, we can start to swap in our lighter sweaters and cropped hoodies in place of denim jackets or heavier pieces. A light fabric sweater or a soft cropped hoodie is a perfect outer layer option for beach evenings or unseasonably cold days that don’t have a chance of rain.

When sporting a seasonal transition athleisure look, we especially love the way a thin, light sweater looks tied around your waist. You’ll look cute and be prepared for the weather of the day.

Like we said before, layers are the key to dealing with ever-changing temperatures between seasons, so keeping them lightweight and stylish is the best way to transition your wardrobe smoothly.

More Linen, Less Denim — Another great way to ease into summer days is to swap out those heavy denim jeans or shorts and opt for linen and softer fabrics.

Picnics at the lake, beach or park call for comfortable fabrics that move with you, give you some coverage and also keep you cool. Your springtime denim jeans are super cute, but don’t always let your legs breathe on hot summer days.

As you try out some linen pants, dresses and shorts, this is another good opportunity for shapewear to come in and assist. A light compression garment, such as a simple high-waisted panty, is the perfect accessory underneath your linen or soft fabric summer outfits.

Shapewear lets you enjoy your summertime events in comfortable, breathable clothing and gives you the peace of mind you need. Forget about unflattering wardrobe malfunctions and wear those thin, light fabrics all day long.

Don’t Forget the Shoes — Last, as your wardrobe moves with you from spring to summer, remember that shoes can make or break an outfit. Stash away your thick spring boots and booties so you can bring out your light sneakers, sandals, wedges and flats.

A heavy shoe or boot in the summer season can look out of place and throw off the entire vibe of your wardrobe. Try a strappy sandal with linen pants or shorts, or a classic all-white sneaker paired with a short, floral dress. Espadrille wedges are a seasonably appropriate shoe that goes well with any summer outfit as well.

Let your feet breathe on hot summer days and bring harmony to your outfits with the right footwear choice. For tips on transitioning your wardrobe, don’t forget the shoes; check out Shoe Time for the best options.

The time between seasons changing can make it difficult to choose what to wear. Slowly transition out your heavier pieces and rotate in lighter fabrics, tighter and sexier outfits and tons of cute, layerable athleisure pieces. Remember that shapewear is your best friend and secret weapon for all of your short, clingy summer wardrobe needs. Cheers to brighter, hotter days full of comfort and cuteness!

The complete coach: A look at how Carlo Ancelotti has dominated Europe’s top five leagues

Following Real Madrid’s recent La Liga success, being crowned the champions of Spain for the 35th time in their rich history, Los Blancos boss Carlos Ancelotti has won just about everything worth winning in European football — quite literally!

The Italian has won a wealth of both domestic and continental cups and titles during his lengthy career, which has now spanned over four decades — too many to sit here and list, in fact.

But having already won four of Europe’s top five divisions (the Premier League, Ligue 1, Serie A and the Bundesliga), the Spanish top flight was the one major title missing from his glittering CV.

Now he is about to get his hands on that elusive La Liga trophy though, and history has been made — as Ancelotti writes his name in the history booked as the first-ever coach to win all five of Europe’s top leagues!

On the grand scale of things, that is a monumental achievement — one that may never be replicated, as well. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at how Ancelotti achieved what seemed the impossible. Read on to find out more!

Serie A: AC Milan – 2003-04

Already a Champions League winner with AC Milan, beating his former club Juventus to the European Cup at Old Trafford the previous season, Ancelotti won the Serie A, the first league title of his career, with the San Siro outfit in 2003-04.

Milan lost just twice all season, with their second defeat of the campaign coming against Reggina on the penultimate game week when the title was already wrapped up — ultimately finishing 11 points clear of Roma. Ancelotti would win a second UCL with Milan before joining Chelsea in 2009.

Premier League: Chelsea – 2009-10

The presence of a dual Champions League winner in the Stamford Bridge dugout was more than enough to make Chelsea one of the favourites in the Premiership title odds, and Ancelotti delivered the league in his first season in England.

It was a fierce battle between the Blues and Manchester United at the top of the table, with the title race going right down to the final day of the season. But Chelsea held their nerve, thrashing Wigan Athletic 8-0 to beat Sir Alex Ferguson’s men to the league crown by a single point.

Ligue 1: Paris Saint-Germain – 2012-13

Infamously sacked by Chelsea in the Goodison Park tunnel following a defeat to Everton at the end of the 2010-11 season, Ancelotti’s next stop on his managerial career was the French capital — taking over Paris Saint-Germain in December 2011.

The first season since being bought by Qatar Sports Investments, Ancelotti failed to deliver the Ligue 1 title in 2011-12 — losing out to Montpellier by three points. But he made amends the following campaign, clinching the title with two games to spare and later finishing 12 points clear of Marseille. It was PSG’s first title triumph since 1994.

Bundesliga: Bayern Munich – 2016-17

After leaving Paris for Madrid at the end of the 2013 season, Ancelotti spent two years in charge of Real — winning a third Champions League, but his inability to deliver La Liga title ultimately cost him his job.

A couple of months later, he was revealed as Bayern Munich boss — replacing the outgoing Pep Guardiola. Der FCB, unsurprisingly, breezed to the Bundesliga title, losing just two games all season and finishing 15 points clear of German top-flight newbies RB Leipzig. After losing the dressing room, Ancelotti was sacked by Bayern in September 2017.

La Liga: Real Madrid – 2021-22

With stints at Napoli and Everton following on from his Bayern dismissal, many claimed Ancelotti’s time at the top was well and truly over. But Madrid came calling last summer and the Italian packed his bags in Merseyside and jetted off for a return to the Spanish capital.

And this time around, Ancelotti delivered the domestic goods — bringing La Liga title back to the Santiago Bernabéu trophy room after Los Blancos’ cross-city rivals Atlético Madrid had it stored in their cabinet at the Wanda Metropolitano for the last 12 months.

Post Malone and Roddy Ricch Team Up for New Song ‘Cooped Up’

Post Malone has joined forces with Roddy Ricch for the new song ‘Cooped Up’, which is taken from his upcoming album twelve carat toothache. It marks the first time the duo have appeared on a track together since the ‘Wow.’ remix. Check it out below, along with the LP’s newly unveiled artwork.

Speaking about the new song with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Malone said: “I’m trying, man. I’m trying. I’ve been out of my bag for a long time, and I’m trying to hop back in there, man. We knew what we wanted to say, and we knew what we wanted to express, not only in a song but in that particular moment on the album. And yeah, it just came super naturally. I couldn’t even tell you. I was probably on the shitter when I wrote it.”

On collaborating with Roddy Ricch, he added: “He’s just such an incredible man and just a natural performer and vocalist and lyricist. And he just gets after it, and it’s so cool. Dude, and just to watch him grow. And he’s such a beautiful, beautiful man. And so talented, man. I’m so pumped.”

twelve carat toothache lands on June 3 via Republic. Post Malone will perform ‘Cooped Up’ on Saturday Night Live this weekend.

twelve carat toothache Cover Artwork:

Nick Cave Collaborates With Party Dozen on New Song ‘Macca the Mutt’

The Party Dozen have teamed up with Nick Cave for a new song called ‘Macca the Mutt’. It marks the first time the Australian duo – made up of Kirsty Tickle and Jonathan Bouletave – have had a guest on one of their recordings, and in a statement, they describe it as “the most powerful track we’ve ever written.” Give it a listen below.

‘Macca the Mutt’ is taken from the Party Dozen’s upcoming album The Real Work, which arrives July 8 via GRUPO/Temporary Residence.

claire rousay, Martha Skye Murphy, Devin Shaffer, and More Contribute to American Dreams’ New Ambient Compilation

The Chicago-based experimental label American Dreams has issued its first compilation, The Deep Drift You Will Find The Most Serene Of Lullabies. Curated by Jordan Reyes and Devin Shaffer, the album features contributions from claire rousay and emily harper scott, Patrick Shiroishi, Cameron Knowler, Eli Winter, Walt McClements, Lia Kohl, Maxwell Sterling, Martha Skye Murphy, Dedales, Daniel Wyche, Ambre Sala, Dorothy Carlos, Ross Gentry, and Mercedes Kilmer. Check it out below via Bandcamp.

Over the past year, American Dreams has put out a series of releases from claire rousay, including the 2021 LP a softer focus. The label also recently released collaborations by Martha Skye Murphy & Maxwell Sterling and Cameron Knowler & Eli Winter, as well as albums including Patrick Shiroishi’s Hidemi, Ross Gentry’s Apparitional, and Devin Shaffer’s In My Dreams I’m There.

Wet Announce New EP ‘Pink Room’, Unveil New Song ‘Tell Me Why’

Wet have announced a new EP, Pink Room, with the single ‘Tell Me Why’. The seven-track project will be out July 8 as a part of Secretly Canadian’s Friends Of series. Hear ‘Tell Me Why’ below.

“I’m always interested in multiple feelings at once,” Kelly Zutrau explained in a statement. “Not just a happy song, but happy and sad and guilty — those can all be true. We see these messages in music and media that are very black and white, but our lives don’t really live up to those expectations. Instead, we’re somewhere in the middle of all these states that are much easier to explain.”

Wet issued their third LP, Letter Blue, last year.

Pink Room EP Cover Artwork:

Pink Room EP Tracklist:

1. Tell Me Why
2. Canyon
3. Pink Room
4. Blades of Grass (Demo)
5. There’s a Light
6. I’m Not her
7. Turn the Lights Down Low

Rosie Carney Shares Video for New Single ‘tidal wave’

Rosie Carney has unveiled her new song ‘tidal wave’, the third preview of her forthcoming sophomore album i wanna feel happy. Following ‘dad’ and ‘break the ground’, the track arrives alongside a music video created by Bee Happy Media. Check it out below.

In a press statement, Carney described ‘tidal wave’ as a song about “abandonment issues. It’s about the lonely ache you feel when you realise you’re starting to drift away from someone, but there’s nothing you can do to stop it from happening.”

She added: “I remember being a kid and desperately overanalysing and trying to change who I was in an attempt to cling on to whoever I was drifting away from. The song is both a desperate plea and also an acute awareness of needing to let go and move on.”

i wanna feel happy is out May 27 via Color Study.

Watch PUP Perform ‘Waiting’ With Jeff Rosenstock on ‘Seth Meyers’

PUP were the musical guests on last night’s episode of Late Night With Seth Meyers, where they performed the song ‘Waiting’ with Jeff Rosenstock on guest vocals and saxophone. Watch it below.

PUP dropped their latest record, THE UNRAVELING OF PUPTHEBAND, last month.  The Canadian band is currently on a North America tour and will head to Australia in the summer before playing in Europe and the UK in the fall.