The Friday Refrain: A bit of what's new in music...

Howdy. How's your Friday? Mine's going well - I mean it's sunshiney out and it's been a cloudy week. Which is what I would expect with moderate temperatures all week. That's MN January - horridly cold and sunny as all get out or dreary but bearably cold. I'm doing some cramming for Pint Notes tonight - that's right, we are officially changing the name. With artwork and a new show tonight. We're all over the social media, though we aren't utilizing it yet, just look for @pintnotes to find us.

Anyway, today today today, what is out today you wonder? Wonder no more - we've got all the indie rock you want! Japandroids are at it again with New To The Wild Heart Of Life. Ty Segall released a self-titled album today and Tobin Sprout (of Guided By Voices) released The Universe and Me. It's a big day for MN releases with rapper P.O.S. releasing Chill, Dummy and Duluth's Dead Man Winter with Furnace. Speaking of MN, we shall claim him for kinda our own now due to the Prairie Home Companion (because that's what we do, you have one tie to MN and we will claim you forever and ever and ever), Chris Thile & Brad Mehldau also released a selves-titled album. And the lead guitarist left but Train still runs on with A Girl A Bottle A Boat. Also on the rapping front, Migos released Culture - and if you want to be entertained today, you should check out their appearance on The Cruz Show when they rap the children's book Llama Llama Red Pajama. I guess it's a Cruz Show tradition that I'm delighted to know about. Gucci Mane also released 3 For Free. And I thnk that's what I've got for release highlights. Oh - wait, heads up Australian Musicheads and Tame Impala fans - Pond released 30000 Megatons today as well.

Shiney shiney list of last week's releases.

In came the animals, two by two

Foxygen, Hang and The Proper Ornaments, Foxhole - indie rock amalgamation vs. low key Elliot Smith style

As Lions, Selfish Age and Alex Clare, Tail of Lions - the radio friendly metal of As Lions or radio-friendly singer-songwiter

HKE, Dragon Soul and Kasey Chambers, Dragonfly - Electronica vs. Country

Other things I Liked

Botany, Raw Light II - Electronica I get work done to.

Awa Poulo, Poulo Warali - World music

Dot Hacker, No 3 - Indie Rock

Avec le soleil sortant de sa bouche, Pas Pire Pop, I Love You So Much - I think I said that it reminds me of The Octopus Project at times, if that were more prog rock but still electronic. And these guys don't have a theremin.

Abigail Lapell, Hide Nor Hair - I really like this singer-songwriter.

Cherry Glazerr, Apocalipstick - Like I said last week, I was excited to finally have some new Cherry Glazerr.

Well there's some ear worms for you to indulge in. Don't forget to tune into Pint Notes this week - especially since I'm bringing dessert to the seedy basement bar. Yep, that's right. Beer and dessert. Speaking of which, I need to go make said dessert. Happy Listening!