New This Week: AFI, John Mayer, Nathan East, and More

Wendy Geller
·Writer, Yahoo Entertainment

Searching for something to listen to this weekend? Yahoo Music has you covered with a rundown of some of this week’s biggest/buzzing releases, including new music from AFI, John Mayer, Nathan East, and more. Check back every Friday for a fresh list of albums to help fuel your weekend playlists.

AFI: AFI (The Blood Album) (Concord). AFI have been around for quite some years now, with their core popularity mysteriously fueled by a shape-shifting sound. None of their albums sound quite alike. This, their 10th effort, maintains the band’s one signature – an overall darkness – and expands upon that by leaning sonically toward post-punk influences from the ‘80s.

John Mayer: The Search for Everything — Wave One (Columbia). Mayer hasn’t put out a full album since 2013, but has been promising fans his newest release is on the way for some time now. This week, he unexpectedly and quietly dropped four tracks from the project. One of the songs, “Love on the Weekend,” was previously released in November, but listeners can enjoy three fresh tracks as a precursor to his entire work.

Alex Clare: Tail of Lions (ETC Recordings). British singer-songwriter Alex Clare, who catapulted into success with his 2011 hit “Too Close.” On his latest set, he hangs on to the assured sound that made him famous, but matures considerably as a thoughtful writer, contemplating his conversion to Orthodox Judaism among other personal topics.

Nathan East: Reverence (Yamaha Entertainment Group). On this set, his second solo effort, contemporary jazz legend East is joined by an extraordinary guest list — Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Ralph Johnson, Yolanda Adams, and his own teenage son Noah East — to put his touch on such good covers of Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Serpentine Fire,” Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground,” and the classic “Over the Rainbow.”

Foxygen: Hang (Jagjaguwar). The 5th album from Foxygen finds the California duo dazzling with dynamic, wide, and complex instrumental melodies. The multilayered approach taken on their latest set of tunes will keep listeners thinking while grooving – a rare and welcome combo for those who enjoy a little aural challenge rather than easily digested pop.

Mick Harvey: Intoxicated Women (Mute). This is the final release from Bad Seeds member Harvey interpreting the work of Serge Gainsbourg (he’s cranked out three albums in the same vein prior). The shimmering effort features guest appearances from Sophia Brous, Channthy Kak, Jess Ribeiro, Andrea Schroeder, Lyndelle-Jayne Spruyt and Xanthe Waite.

Kidz Bop Kids: Kidz Bop 34 (Kidz Bop). The latest installment of the wildly popular children’s music series is sure to get the small fry on their feet – the Kidz Bop Kids put a family-friendly spin on such hits as Bruno Mars’s “24K Magic,” the Chainsmokers’ “Closer,” and DJ Snake f/ Justin Bieber’s “Let Me Love You,” among others.