New this week: David Byrne, Judas Priest, Three Days Grace, and more
Searching for something to listen to this weekend? Yahoo Entertainment has you covered, with a rundown of some of this week’s biggest and buzziest releases, from artists including David Byrne, Judas Priest, Three Days Grace, and others. Check back every Friday for a fresh list of albums to help stock your weekend playlists.
David Byrne: American Utopia (Todomundo/Nonesuch). This is the Talking Heads mastermind’s first solo album in 14 years. Equally legendary producer Brian Eno is also on board. The result is a surprisingly upbeat, optimistic set with the 65-year-old Byrne’s precise vocals dancing about a variety of world-influenced rhythms.
Judas Priest: Firepower (Epic). The metal veterans’ 18th studio album is certain to gain respect from younger artists in the genre as well as fans, not only out of deference to their storied history, but also because they are remarkably capable of testing out modern influences and updating their classic sound. This record shows off that feat off nicely.
Three Days Grace: Outsider (RCA). The band has had its ups and downs over the years, most notably when original vocalist Adam Gontier departed following the release of their 2012 album Transit of Venus. This is their second outing with new vocalist Matt Walst, and it seems he has gelled nicely into the role, asserting his own personality while still adhering to the band’s core style.
Erasure: World Beyond (Mute). The band’s 2017 album, World Be Gone, is reexamined here and given a post-classical reworking in collaboration with Echo Collective, a Brussels-based group.
Albert Hammond Jr.: Francis Trouble (Red Bull). OK, it’s true that Hammond Jr. is still by and large known as the guitarist for the Strokes. He’s put out a decade’s worth of solo work at this point, however, with this marking his fourth solo release. He experiments with various styles on this record, but what stands out most is his now fully developed sense of independence.
The Fratellis: In Your Own Sweet Time (Cooking Vinyl). The Scottish rockers continue their core sound on their fifth album, not breaking any new ground, but that’s not entirely a bad thing. Fans will be pleased to dig into yet another chapter of their journey and ease back into the comforting familiarity.
Brad Mehldau: After Bach (Nonesuch). This well-crafted release comprises four preludes and one fugue from J.S. Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, each followed by an “After Bach” piece written by Mehldau.
Ministry: AmeriKKKant (Nuclear Blast). Al Jourgensen & Co. took a five-year break between releases, and clearly aren’t in a very good mood upon return. This is a markedly angry album, produced by Jourgensen. He recruited a variety of guests to help out, including DJ Swamp, Burton C. Bell, Arabian Prince, and Lord of the Cello.
Of Montreal: White Is Relic/irrealis Mood (Polyvinyl). The 15th studio album by an indie rock band of Montreal finds mastermind Kevin Barnes working mostly by himself, having fun delving into an ’80s sensibility of upbeat, dance-friendly tunes.
The Neighbourhood: The Neighbourhood (Columbia). This critically acclaimed alt-rock band is back with a third record. This is a band that bounces around between genres, but on this particular album, things don’t feel as experimental as before.
Editors: Violence (Play it Again Sam). The band comes to a creative peak on their sixth album, which may be in part due to the fact that they’ve lightened up considerably. This allows more leeway for breathing room, and more than a little bit of craziness, which makes everything so much more fun.
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