New This Week: Sting, A Tribe Called Quest, Sleigh Bells, Garth/Trisha, and More
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 Sting, A Tribe Called Quest, Sleigh Bells, Ronnie Dunn, and more. Check back every Friday for a fresh list of albums to help fuel your weekend playlists.
Sting: 57 & 9th (A&M). It’s been a long time since Sting has presented himself as a rock artist, having chosen instead to concentrate on such things as Tony-nominated musicals, classical endeavors, and lutes over the past dozen years. It’s most welcome to find him back in guitar-driven form, exercising his songwriting chops on a collection of songs hearkening back to his Police-era fame. The 16-time Grammy winner comes off a little heavy-handed with some of his lyrical social commentary, but fans will no doubt be happy to hear sonic hints of the ghost in the machine.
A Tribe Called Quest: We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your service (Epic). This marks hip-hop pioneers A Tribe Called Quest’s first album since 1998’s The Love Movement. All four original members are on deck for the project (tragically, the group’s MC Phife Dawg passed away earlier this year from diabetes-related complications). However, if that In itself is not enough, eyeball this guest list: Kanye West, André 3000, Kendrick Lamar, Jack White, Elton John, Busta Rhymes, Anderson .Paak, Talib Kweli, and Consequence.
Emeli Sandé: Long Live the Angels (Capitol). The Scottish singer’s eagerly anticipated sophomore set (her debut dropped a full five years ago) dives deep into personal reflection; as she told Yahoo Music, “This album is really more about my reaction to the changes in my life when I stepped away from music and got to know myself.” The result is an intense collection of ballads exploring her failed marriage, Zambian heritage, and overall path of self-discovery.
Sleigh Bells: Jessica Rabbit (Mom + Pop Music). Experimental pop duo Sleigh Bells made waves first in 2016 by suing Demi Lovato for alleged sampling of tracks from their 2010 release Treats. On a happier note, they also marked this year by releasing their fourth album. Jessica Rabbit stands out for showcasing increased songwriting and vocal power from singer Alexis Krauss, who clearly is having a good time with her intense delivery.
Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood: Christmas Together (Pearl Records). Who doesn’t love a good Christmas album? And who doesn’t love country music’s happiest couple? Brooks and Yearwood, currently in the midst of a wildly successful world tour, have been teasing fans by hinting at a duets album for years, so Christmas Together serves as the perfect holiday gift. The husband and wife duo offers up a selection of whimsical tunes, from “Ugly Christmas Sweater” to “Marshmallow World.”
Joey + Rory: To Joey With Love (Reunion). The heartbreaking story of country husband-and-wife duo Joey and Rory Fleek was immortalized in a documentary leading fans through their journey of amazing highs and the lowest lows. The soundtrack is a fitting tribute to the late Joey, who succumbed to cancer earlier this year.
Body/Head: No Waves (Matador). Alt-rock icon/feminist/visual artist Kim Gordon, most famously of Sonic Youth, teamed up with Bill Nace to form the duo Body/Head and release a debut in 2013. This set is a new live album recorded in 2014 during a performance at the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Ronnie Dunn, Tattooed Heart (Big Machine). This marks the third solo release from Dunn, who defined his vocal sound out of the gate 25 years ago as part of the wildly successful duo Brooks & Dunn. Here, he works with producer Jay DeMarcus (of Rascal Flatts) to combine his traditional, straightforward style with a bit of modern-country edge. Kix Brooks joins him on first single, “Damn Drunk.’
Joe: #MYNAMEISJOETHOMAS (Plaid Takeover). R&B crooner Joe follows up his 2014 release Bridges with this set, a collection paying homage to his work from the early ‘00s. Party anthem “Happy Hour” features a collaboration with Gucci Mane.
Blue Rodeo: 1000 Arms (Telesoul). Canada’s Blue Rodeo have been at it for three decades now, and their 14th release features a concerted effort by vocalists/guitarists Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor to blend their singing talents together. The result is a welcome return to the alt-country outfit’s classic sound which fans will be sure to appreciate.
