The beginning of the year is always filled with an abundance promise and wonder for all the cool stuff waiting to unfold in the coming months, and 2019 is certainly shaping up to be no exception. Barely one month into the year, already an array of exciting new albums and collaborations have been announced that we simply can’t wait to wrap our ears around!
So, here's the lowdown on five upcoming releases you really don’t want to miss out on.
Sleater Kinney (produced by St Vincent)
Olympia rockers, Sleater-Kinney have recently announced that they will be working with none other than St. Vincent on a ‘as-yet-untitled’ follow-up to their 2014 reunion album, No Cities to Love.
“We always planned on getting back in the studio … it was just a matter of when,” guitarist Carrie Brownstein says. “If there is an overarching principle to this album, it’s that the tools on which we were relying proved inadequate. So, we sought new ones, both metaphorically and literally.”
Guitarists Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein were perhaps influential on a younger St. Vincent, who last year showed off her fandom for the group when she posted an Instagram video of herself doing a “pre-show Sleater-Kinney warm up,” to the band’s song, “Modern Girl”. We’re on the edge of our seats in anticipation for this pack of uber-talented women will produce.
2019. @Sleater_Kinney produced by St. Vincent. pic.twitter.com/PY2JW15aIN
… St. Vincent (@st_vincent) January 8, 2019
Skunk Anansie : 25LIVE@25
To celebrate a spectacular international trailblazing career of 25 years, the multi-platinum-selling, award-winning Brit rockers Skunk Anansie have announced the release of a new live album, 25LIVE@25, showcasing their incomparable live presence over a career-spanning collection.
Featuring recordings of the band’s exhilarating and spirited live shows sequenced as one unique concert by Jeremy Wheatley, a long-time collaborator with the band, 25LIVE@25 is both a celebration of Skunk’s unmatchable career and their importance as a musical and politically-charged cultural force.
"Everything that is good that has come out of SKUNK ANANSIE has come out of being a live band," says drummer Mark Richardson. "We've always thought that nobody could defeat us. 'Come on, try and beat us. You won't.'"
25LIVE@25 will be released January 25, get your copy here.
Paul Weller : Other Aspects
Other Aspects, Live At The Royal Festival Hall features an eclectic 25 track career-spanning collection, recorded live in October 2018 with an orchestra at London's prestigious Royal Festival Hall. The critically acclaimed performance features 11 songs from the international success, True Meanings, which was released last September to rapturous praise.
The second of these shows were recorded and filmed and will be released as a live album and DVD package on March 8th. Get your copy here.
Pixies : Past Is Prologue
After last year’s 30th anniversary reissue of their debut releases, Come on Pilgrim (1987) and Surfer Rosa (1988), the news has come that we can expect a whole new album from the alt-rock pioneers.
In conjunction with the release, the Pixies will be the subject of a new podcast, Past Is Prologue, debuting in June. The 12-part documentary series, hosted by music journalist Tony Fletcher, will go behind-the-scenes with the band as they record the new album, due to be released in September.
Check out this trailer for the podcast, featuring footage of Pixies recording in the studio.
Linda Ronstadt : Live In Hollywood
Linda Ronstadt’s extraordinary genre-hopping career spans more than five decades and has produced over two dozen studio albums. Alas, in all that time we’ve never been treated to a live album – Till now!
Live In Hollywood features amazing performances from the renowned singer, with a mix of rock, pop and country tunes all recorded at Hollywood’s Television Center Studios in 1980. Check out the previously unreleased, “Just One Look” Below!
Live In Hollywood will be issued February 1st on CD and vinyl as well as digital and streaming services. Get your copy here.
