10 top Milwaukee albums and songs in March 2024, from Chris Rosenau, Joe Wong and more

A couple of veteran band leaders striking out on their own are among the 10 artists behind our favorite Milwaukee albums, EPs and songs to check out in March.

In their company: a recurring TV composer's psychedelic rock opus, a singer-songwriter's tribute to an Appleton folk legend and the first releases from a couple of very different Milwaukee bands.

Our picks are listed in alphabetical order.

'A Light That Cracks Through,' Chris Rosenau

Rosenau, a mastermind behind Collections of Colonies of Bees, Pele and Volcano Choir, goes solo here with just his radiant guitar for an instrumental EP whose title is taken from one of Leonard Cohen's most inspired lyrics — and whose song titles resemble dates (no doubt significant to Rosenau) from 1944 to 2021. The meaning is in the eye of the artist, and open enough to be in the eye of the beholder. But the passion of Rosenau's playing, the beauty of his melodies, feels very personal, with or without context.

'Can You Spell God?', Andrew Jambura

It's been four years since Sat. Nite Duets, Milwaukee's answer to Pavement, has released a single, and eight years since there's been an album. They're missed. So rejoice, Duets-heads, for Andrew Jambura, the band's most peculiar vocalist, is back with delightfully droning voice over '70s funk guitar, glistening horns and some Clarence Clemons-channeling sax riffs, with many past members of Duets along for the rollicking ride.

'Everything Is,' Known Moons

After playing in Paper Holland and Flat Teeth, Andy James leads his own energizing alt-rock project. Opener “A Coffin for the Cosmos” sounds a bit like Phoenix with just a sprinkle of Devo, and traces of the former appear in subsequent tracks. But a decidedly different closer — simultaneously percussive and dreamy “How Do You Know?” — suggests that James is game to explore unknown territory.

'Everything’s Bigger in Texas' / 'Green Eyes,' Convoy

The Milwaukee newcomers pay homage to the Lone Star State with nasally vocals reminiscent of British rock god Mick Jagger on the toe-tapping dusty country A-side, with a playful B-side to match.

'Kate Blood,' Trapper Schoepp

After chronicling the stranger than life tale of Milwaukee’s Lawrencia Bembenek with his previous single, singer-songwriter Schoepp sets his sights on the Appleton urban legend of Kate Blood, giving the woman misunderstood through inaccurate history some heart and warmth — while weaving a tall tale all his own.

'Love Don’t Live Here,' Mariboy Mula Mar

It’s fitting that Mariboy Mula Mar’s swooning, smitten EP came out on Valentine’s Day. His AutoTune-drenched vocals and sly, slinky beats reaffirm his status as Milwaukee street rap's romantic, even if some of the more forward lyrics aren’t, well, what one conventionally might call romantic.

'Mere Survival,' Joe Wong

As a composer for such shows as “Russian Doll,” “Midnight Gospel” and “Krapopolis” (created by fellow Milwaukee native Dan Harmon), Los Angeles-based Wong has proven himself to be a master of mood. But he’s reserved his most engrossing and cinematic musical expressions for his orchestra-drenched psychedelic rock opuses, first “Nite Creature” and now an equally compelling sophomore album “Mere Survival.” Pink Floyd comes to mind frequently, and it’s about time the tables turn and a talented filmmaker creates a full visual treatment to enhance Wong’s musical world.

'Nothing Fancy,' The Go Homes

Listening to the shaggy lo-fi sound of “Leaving,” the opening track on the Go Homes’ debut album, its title “Nothing Fancy” seems particularly apt. But that song and the seven that follow possess a sticky hook that’s instantly hummable and hard to shake. No, it’s not fancy, but if you’re looking for pop punk with a penchant for power chords, “Nothing Fancy” is very satisfying.

'So Damn Happy,' Brett J.B.

Judging by the lyrics and tone of his voice, Brett J.B. is in full-blown emo mode, an interesting contrast to the sunny melodies that surround him. But it’s fitting given all the emotional twists and turns on a song that explores one lover's ability to break free from their misery, while their partner ponders if their ongoing relationship may actually be a hinderance to that liberation.

'Sojourner,' Immortal Girlfriend

With those heavy washes of hypnotizing synthesizers on the simmering title track, brothers Kevin and Will Bush transport listeners to a dystopian fantasy world — “Blade Runner,” “The Terminator” and other ‘80s sci-fi epics come to mind. Then the melodies brighten before, shockingly and thrillingly, transforming into a tinny broadcast, akin to a jarring transformation from The Weeknd’s “After Hours.” From there, “Sojourner” the album is an absolute white-knuckle thrill ride, keeping listeners guessing and delighted with all of its meticulously crafted synthpop surprises.

"Must-Hear Milwaukee Music" runs on or around the first of every month in the Journal Sentinel and at jsonline.com. If you have a new album, EP or song coming out, contact Piet Levy at plevy@journalsentinel.com for review consideration. Follow him on X at @pietlevy or Facebook at facebook.com/PietLevyMJS.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 10 top Milwaukee albums and songs to check out in March 2024