Every Friday, 88Nine music director Erin Wolf and Lilliput Records co-owner Tanner Musgrove tell you about the new albums you can’t miss on a new episode of On Vinyl. Check out their top picks and a list of this week’s other releases, and listen to their full conversation using the player on this page or on the 88Nine airwaves at 1 p.m. every Friday.
We have to admit that most of the records we’re sharing in this episode are cathartic in nature. Different shades of that include:
- Indie-rock shredding (after big life changes) a la Courtney Barnett
- Existential pondering in the vein of confessional indie-pop rock from Snail Mail
- Straight-up “dizzy and euphoric” dancefloor pop bops from Robyn
What to do after all that cathartic listening? Huddle up, take a breath and reflect with the big/soft sound of José González, marked by his distinct voice, pronounced and percussive acoustic guitar, and thoughtful themes. Let’s dig in and let some feelings out — and then bring ‘em back in.
Happy New Music Friday!
Best new albums out March 27
Courtney Barnett, Creature of Habit
The Melbourne-born indie rocker is returning to her classic sound, oomphed up with emotion and fun collab moments, like the lead single with Waxahatchee she shared in the run-up to the release.
Barnett wrote this new album after a pretty big life change, relocating to Los Angeles from Melbourne upon closing her longtime label, Milk! Records, in 2023. Once in California, she let loose a lot of her emotions surrounding that big life shift. She said one of the big lessons was “how to get out of your own way so you can truly feel your life,” something you’ll hear throughout the album.
For those who need this one on vinyl, Creature of Habit will be released on a caramel-colored variant and in classic black with a gatefold jacket from Mom + Pop Records, as well as at your fave local shop.
Snail Mail, Ricochet
Lindsey Jordan’s newest songs deal with the existential — big questions like, “What happens to us after we die?” To expound on those queries, she turned to Momma’s Aron Kobayashi Ritch to make her sound even more full and dramatic. Based on what we’ve heard, it feels like these cathartic new songs will sound great on vinyl and in person (Snail Mail will be at Turner Hall Ballroom on April 10!).
For fans dropping by record stores or the merch table at the show, Ricochet will be available in plain black, red and bone white, and a special gold edition from Matador Records.
Robyn, Sexistential
Robin Carlsson has brought us her ninth studio album, packed with nine songs of playful pop bliss. Stereogum described Sexistential as “dizzy and euphoric,” and the lead songs have made it feel as though Roybn has made a full orbit back to her 2010, Body Talk trilogy era, making this new album the perfect soundtrack as we enter the warmer weather months.
If you’re looking to pick up Sexistential on vinyl, it’s available on white wax from Konichiwa / Young Records at the local shop of your choice. You also have a chance to catch her live by spinning down I-94 for a show at the United Center in Chicago on Sept. 12.
José González, Against the Dying of the Light
We’re big fans of Swedish indie-folk singer-songwriter José González’s’ band Junip, so naturally we’re big fans of his solo work. He’s spoken openly about this album being a reflection on humanity and how we can direct our focus to challenges ahead, hoping to still persevere through it all. He also recently took a “10% Pledge” — a public commitment to give 10% of his income to charities fighting extreme poverty via Giving What We Can, so supporting this release will go a little further than normal.
Against the Dying of the Light is out on indie-exclusive white vinyl from City Slang / Mute Records. Pick up a copy at your fave indie record store if you’re a fan.