New Music Friday: The best albums out May 31
Digest
Ann Powers and Lars Gottrich kick off the episode by discussing the highly anticipated new album "Night Rain" by Aruzhev Top, a New York-based vocalist and composer known for her unique blend of jazz, avant-garde, and global influences. They highlight the album's shift from the grief-laden themes of her previous album "Vulture Prince" to a more celebratory exploration of love, lust, and joy. They delve into the album's sonic landscape, noting its global soul sound and its departure from the typical fusion of East and West. They also discuss the album's pop influences and how Aruzhev Top's use of Urdu poetry and original lyrics creates a unique and captivating listening experience. The episode then transitions to a discussion of Shabuzi's new album "Where I've Been Isn't Where I'm Going," which blends country, hip-hop, and R&B influences. They explore the album's innovative sound and how it challenges the boundaries of mainstream country music. They also discuss the album's darker undertones and its potential to redefine the genre. Finally, the episode concludes with a discussion of the collaborative album "Here Are the Children Saying the Evidence" by Bonnie Prince Billy, Nathan Salzburg, and Tyler Trotter. They explore the album's origins in a lullaby that Salzburg created for his child and how it evolved into a 20-minute drone-based exploration of sound and emotion. They also discuss the album's connections to post-punk and its ability to evoke a sense of dreamlike tranquility.
Outlines
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Aruzhev Top's "Night Rain": A Celebration of Love and Lust
This Chapter delves into the new album "Night Rain" by Aruzhev Top, a New York-based vocalist and composer known for her unique blend of jazz, avant-garde, and global influences. The discussion highlights the album's shift from the grief-laden themes of her previous album "Vulture Prince" to a more celebratory exploration of love, lust, and joy. The chapter explores the album's sonic landscape, noting its global soul sound and its departure from the typical fusion of East and West. It also discusses the album's pop influences and how Aruzhev Top's use of Urdu poetry and original lyrics creates a unique and captivating listening experience.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Shabuzi's "Where I've Been Isn't Where I'm Going": Redefining Country Music
This Chapter focuses on Shabuzi's new album "Where I've Been Isn't Where I'm Going," which blends country, hip-hop, and R&B influences. The discussion explores the album's innovative sound and how it challenges the boundaries of mainstream country music. The chapter also delves into the album's darker undertones and its potential to redefine the genre.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Bonnie Prince Billy, Nathan Salzburg, and Tyler Trotter's "Here Are the Children Saying the Evidence": A Drone-Based Lullaby
This Chapter examines the collaborative album "Here Are the Children Saying the Evidence" by Bonnie Prince Billy, Nathan Salzburg, and Tyler Trotter. The discussion explores the album's origins in a lullaby that Salzburg created for his child and how it evolved into a 20-minute drone-based exploration of sound and emotion. The chapter also delves into the album's connections to post-punk and its ability to evoke a sense of dreamlike tranquility.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
New Music Friday Lightning Round: A Cornucopia of Sounds
This Chapter features a lightning round discussion of several new albums released on May 31st. The discussion covers a wide range of genres, including trad rock, experimental hip-hop, adult-oriented pop, drone music, bluegrass, metal, and classic country. The chapter highlights the diversity and creativity of the music scene and provides listeners with a glimpse into some of the most exciting new releases.
Keywords
Aruzhev Top
Aruzhev Top is a New York-based vocalist and composer known for her unique blend of jazz, avant-garde, and global influences. She is originally from Saudi Arabia and is of Pakistani descent. She gained recognition in 2021 with her album "Vulture Prince" and has since formed a trio called "Levin Exile" with Vijay Iyer and Shazad Ismaily. Her music is characterized by its rich sonic tapestry, drawing inspiration from her Pakistani roots, reggae, ambient music, minimalism, and the diverse sounds of the New York music scene. Her latest album, "Night Rain," explores themes of love, lust, and joy, marking a departure from the grief-laden themes of her previous work.
Night Rain
Night Rain is the latest album by Aruzhev Top, a New York-based vocalist and composer. The album is a departure from the grief-laden themes of her previous album "Vulture Prince" and explores themes of love, lust, and joy. It is characterized by its global soul sound, drawing inspiration from Aruzhev Top's Pakistani roots, reggae, ambient music, minimalism, and the diverse sounds of the New York music scene. The album features a blend of Urdu poetry and original lyrics, creating a unique and captivating listening experience.
Shabuzi
Shabuzi is a country music artist known for his innovative blend of country, hip-hop, and R&B influences. He is signed to Republic Records and gained wider recognition through his appearances on Beyoncé's album "Renaissance." His music challenges the boundaries of mainstream country music and explores themes of love, loss, and the complexities of modern life. His latest album, "Where I've Been Isn't Where I'm Going," features a darker undertone and showcases his ability to push the boundaries of the genre.
Where I've Been Isn't Where I'm Going
Where I've Been Isn't Where I'm Going is the latest album by Shabuzi, a country music artist known for his innovative blend of country, hip-hop, and R&B influences. The album features a unique sound that challenges the boundaries of mainstream country music. It explores themes of love, loss, and the complexities of modern life, showcasing Shabuzi's ability to push the boundaries of the genre. The album features collaborations with artists like Noah Cyrus and Big X, further highlighting its diverse sonic landscape.
Bonnie Prince Billy
Bonnie Prince Billy is a renowned indie musician known for his distinctive voice, poetic lyrics, and eclectic musical style. His real name is Will Oldham, and he has been releasing music for decades. He is known for his collaborations with various artists and his ability to reinterpret and reinterpret other people's work. He is also known for his work as a child actor, starring in the John Sayles film "Matewan." His latest collaborative album, "Here Are the Children Saying the Evidence," is a drone-based exploration of sound and emotion, inspired by a lullaby he created for his child.
Nathan Salzburg
Nathan Salzburg is a guitarist, folklorist, and musician known for his work with Bonnie Prince Billy, Joan Shelley, and other indie artists. He is also a member of the psychedelic rock band Water with Two Ts. He is known for his ability to create captivating melodies and his interest in exploring the intersection of music and folklore. His latest collaborative album, "Here Are the Children Saying the Evidence," is a drone-based exploration of sound and emotion, inspired by a lullaby he created for his child.
Here Are the Children Saying the Evidence
Here Are the Children Saying the Evidence is a collaborative album by Bonnie Prince Billy, Nathan Salzburg, and Tyler Trotter. The album is a drone-based exploration of sound and emotion, inspired by a lullaby that Salzburg created for his child. The album features two tracks, both of which are extended versions of the original lullaby, "The Edadence." The album is characterized by its hypnotic and meditative qualities, evoking a sense of dreamlike tranquility.
Global Soul
Global Soul is a musical genre that blends elements of various musical traditions from around the world. It is often characterized by its use of diverse instruments, rhythms, and melodies, creating a rich and eclectic sonic tapestry. The term "Global Soul" is often used to describe music that transcends cultural boundaries and embraces the interconnectedness of music across the globe. Aruzhev Top's music is often described as "Global Soul" due to its blend of Pakistani, reggae, ambient, and minimalist influences.
Lungfish
Lungfish is a post-punk band from Baltimore, Maryland, known for their experimental and atmospheric sound. They were active in the 1990s and early 2000s and released 11 albums. Their music is characterized by its use of drones, distorted guitars, and cryptic lyrics. They are often described as the "poets and mystics of post-punk." The song "The Edadence" by Lungfish served as the inspiration for the collaborative album "Here Are the Children Saying the Evidence" by Bonnie Prince Billy, Nathan Salzburg, and Tyler Trotter.
Drone Music
Drone music is a genre of music characterized by the use of sustained tones or chords, often played on instruments like synthesizers, guitars, or organs. The drones create a hypnotic and meditative atmosphere, often evoking a sense of space, timelessness, and introspection. Drone music is often used in ambient, experimental, and minimalist music. The collaborative album "Here Are the Children Saying the Evidence" by Bonnie Prince Billy, Nathan Salzburg, and Tyler Trotter is a prime example of drone music, featuring extended versions of the lullaby "The Edadence" that create a hypnotic and immersive listening experience.
Q&A
What are some of the key themes explored in Aruzhev Top's new album "Night Rain"?
Aruzhev Top's "Night Rain" explores themes of love, lust, and joy, marking a departure from the grief-laden themes of her previous album "Vulture Prince." The album celebrates life and explores different understandings of love, including romantic love and lust.
How does Shabuzi's music challenge the boundaries of mainstream country music?
Shabuzi's music blends country, hip-hop, and R&B influences, creating a unique sound that challenges the conventions of mainstream country music. His album "Where I've Been Isn't Where I'm Going" features a darker undertone and showcases his ability to push the boundaries of the genre, incorporating elements of hip-hop and R&B into his country sound.
What is the origin story behind the collaborative album "Here Are the Children Saying the Evidence" by Bonnie Prince Billy, Nathan Salzburg, and Tyler Trotter?
The album is inspired by a lullaby that Nathan Salzburg created for his child. The lullaby, based on the song "The Edadence" by the post-punk band Lungfish, became a source of comfort for his child and inspired the creation of the album. The album features extended versions of the lullaby, creating a hypnotic and meditative listening experience.
What is "Global Soul" music, and how does it relate to Aruzhev Top's music?
Global Soul music is a genre that blends elements of various musical traditions from around the world. It is often characterized by its use of diverse instruments, rhythms, and melodies, creating a rich and eclectic sonic tapestry. Aruzhev Top's music is often described as "Global Soul" due to its blend of Pakistani, reggae, ambient, and minimalist influences, creating a unique and captivating sound that transcends cultural boundaries.
What is drone music, and how is it used in the album "Here Are the Children Saying the Evidence"?
Drone music is a genre of music characterized by the use of sustained tones or chords, often played on instruments like synthesizers, guitars, or organs. The drones create a hypnotic and meditative atmosphere, often evoking a sense of space, timelessness, and introspection. The collaborative album "Here Are the Children Saying the Evidence" by Bonnie Prince Billy, Nathan Salzburg, and Tyler Trotter is a prime example of drone music, featuring extended versions of the lullaby "The Edadence" that create a hypnotic and immersive listening experience.
Show Notes
Featured albums:
• Arooj Aftab, 'Night Reign'
• Shaboozey, 'Where I've Been, isn't Where I'm Going'
• Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Nathan Salsburg & Tyler Trotter, 'Hear the Children Sing The Evidence'
Other notable albums out May 31:
• Richard Thompson, 'Ship To Shore'
• Dos Monos, 'Dos Atomos'
• Anna Tivel, 'Living Thing'
• Beak>, '>>>>'
• Swamp Dogg, 'Blackgrass'
• Thou, 'Umbilical'
• Chris Housman, 'Blueneck'
• Psychic Temple, 'Doggie Paddlin' Thru the Cosmic Consciousness'
• John Muq, 'Flying Away'
• Robin Holcomb, 'One Way or Another, Vol. 2'
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
I love this podcast. Appreciate the metal, and everything else!