In order to not miss a beat Turn Up The Volume scans the musical
horizon daily (doing it for years now, actually) to stay in touch with
all new things sonically great and shares the results on a weekly
basis.
Check the 10 new rad cuts just
added to this rad 2024 playlist.
From his new, forthcoming album Drama King. More infohere.
“Fun Guy” shares Bibby’s perspective of his recent turn to an alcohol-free
lifestyle and the subsequent challenges faced to his social standing and
chaotic live performance. It’s a drum-machine-fuelled, hard and fast, punk
banger taking notes from Suicide and Throbbing Gristle.
Expect a maddening missile that races like a 4-motor hotrod on the run.
Newest shared piece from Leonard‘s upcoming album Real Home out on April 17. Pre-order info here.
Album artwork
A flood of diverse percussion, acoustic guitar and jittery vocals create a both
chaotic and intriguing flow. Capriciously fascinating, waywardly impressive.
This British collective, formed in 2012, have 3 albums
and 6 EPs on their résumé. Discover it all via Spotify.
New single Small Joys is a brisk guitar pop symphony that sticks instanly. Beautifully orchestrated with moony vocals floating all over it. The accompagning video is quite remarkable.
Manley about Save Your Own: “In the chaos of addiction and treatment,
sometimes the best you can do is take care of yourself first–put on your own
oxygen mask first. It’s a plea to my partner Anna to take care of herself and
let me go.”
Despite the dream pop vibrancy, think Vampire Weekend, the sentiments at
play here are alarming. An awe-inspiring, real-hard-life inspired tune that’ll
boggle your mind.
Hohlbrugger: “It’s about that someone you’ll never be with and that you allow to remain
inside you as a perfect unspoiled thing, yet still you measure and hold your real relationship up against it. It’s a dream, an illusion, an unfair fantasy. Nothing and therefore able to be perfect.”
It’s a yearning, gripping, melacholic ballad for the midnight hours. The bittersweet duet perfomance features the sensuous vocals by critically acclaimed Norwegian indie artist Frøkedal. Think murder ballad duo Nick Cave/Kylie Minogue, but also legendary 60s duo’s Nancy Sinatra/Lee Hazlewood and Jane Birkin/Serge Gainsbourg. Heartfelt romanticism.
I’ll feature 20 covers by a star-studded cast of country artists such as George Strait, Steve Earle, Willie and Lukas Nelson, Marty Stuart, Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Wynonna Judd, and Carly Pearce.
Parton: “I was fortunate enough to get to know Tom over the years. He’s such
an iconic artist and important songwriter. I’m so honored to be a part of this
special album and to be able to share my version of one of Tom’s best songs,
‘Southern Accents’.”
At 78 Parton‘s voice is still as impressive as the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
The accompanying video features some nostalgic Tom Petty home
footage.
WATCH/LISTEN
TRACKLIST
01“I Should Have Known It” by Chris Stapleton 02“Wildflowers” by Thomas Rhett 03“Runnin’ Down A Dream” by Luke Combs 04“Southern Accents” by Dolly Parton 05 “Here Comes My Girl” by Justin Moore 06“American Girl” by Dierks Bentley 07 “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” by Lady A 08“I Forgive It All” by Jamey Johnson 09 “I Won’t Back Down” by Brothers Osborne 10 “Refugee” by Wynonna Judd & Lainey Wilson 11“Angel Dream No. 2” by Willie Nelson & Lukas Nelson 12 “Learning To Fly” by Eli Young Band 13“Breakdown” by Ryan Hurd feat. Carly Pearce 14“Yer So Bad” by Steve Earle 15“Ways To Be Wicked” by Margo Price feat. Mike Campbell 16“Mary Jane’s Last Dance” by Midland 17“Free Fallin’” by The Cadillac Three feat. Breland 18 “I Need To Know” by Marty StuartAnd His Fabulous Superlatives 19“Don’t Come Around Here No More” by Rhiannon Giddens feat. Silkroad Ensemble and Benmont Tench 20“You Wreck Me (Live)” by George Strait
(Tom Petty image: cover of his ‘American Treasure’ album)
Sad news came in a couple of weeks ago. L.A.’s blues rock tandem Deap Vally – Lindsay Troy and Julie Edwards – one of the most exciting
and dynamite acts, of the past 10 years call it a day.
But not without a big bang. They say farewell with an extensive North America tour.
They’ll release a new vinyl edition of their superb debut LP Sistrionix, out Spring 2024.
And their recent roasting cover of The Stones‘ VENTILATOR BLUES
track from their 1972 LP Exile On Main Street is spot-on awesome.
Sounds like this classic was written for them.
Musical Nashville legend Leon Russell, born
Claude Russell Bridge in 1942, passed away in
2016, at the age of 74.
To celebrate the genial, all-around, eccentric-looking icon, a 10-track
tribute album came out last September, titled A Song For Leon.
The imperishable noise rockers Pixies are part of the LP’s celebrity cast,
with a red-hot-blooded version of Russell‘s 1971 classic boogie woogie cracker Crystal Closet Queen.
British famous singer-songwriter-producerTREVOR HORN (now 74),
who scored a No 1 UK hit in 1979 with his one-time project Buggles
and their pop earworm Video Killed The Radio Star (more than 323 million
streams on Spotify) released an album of 11 covers early this month. It’s
titled Echoes: Ancient & Modern.
One of the covered songs is Personal Jesus, the 24-carat Depeche Mode classic
from 1990. Horn invited eternal punk Iggy Pop to do the singing. An inch-perfect
decision. At the age of 76, he still sounds like he wants to be your dog.
Since their reunion in 2010 glam pop legends Suede got
tremendously active with 4 albums and constant touring.
Last February they did something really amazing. They performed
at the BBC’s Maida Vale Studios for their Piano Room Month‘s series
with artists’ playing the piano room with the BBC Concert Orchestra.
Suede choose to cover the 1978 classic cracker Beacuse The Night,
co-written by Bruce Springsteen and recorded for eternity by Patti Smith.
The band’s take is astonishing. The orchestral magnificence is grand and
frontman Brett Anderson‘s vocal effort is phenomenal. Pure tour de force.
A tribute album for the legendary, singular, and utterly charismatic Marianne Faithfull came out a couple of weeks ago.
One of the most notable interpretations of Faithfull songs is by Garbage‘s Shirley Manson and queer queen Peaches who turn the explicit 1979 song WHY’D YA DO IT into a disco stomper.
Folk songsmith Drake (1948-1974) was/is an inspiration for many singer-songwriters.
His 3 LPs Five Leaves Left (1969), Bryter Layter (1970) and Pink Moon (1972) were and
are still widely lauded. The trouble artist died following an overdose of amitriptyline,
an antidepressant, aged only 26.
New Irish post-punk heroes Fontaines D.C. were invited too. They picked‘Cello Song
from Drake‘s 1969 debut LP Five Leaves Left. The Irishmen’s version is just splendid in
their own haunting way.
At the age of 77, the fabulous country superstar
still is working longer than 9 to 5 per day.
And to prove her never-ending productivity, she released her
49th (!) LP last month, named Rockstar. Yep, Parton‘s first rock LP.
It features several big-name collaborations.
I don’t own a Dolly album, I didn’t follow her career but as so many million people
I know her hits, and I do love her formidable voice – the heroine again on this record –
and her I do what I want attitude.
The supreme standout track is her version of Purple Rain,
the 1984 blockbuster hit by late musical genius Prince.
Last June the late Jeffrey Lee Pierce, the wayward mastermind of underrated
indie mavericks Gun Club from L.A. would have celebrated his 65th birthday.
Last March, a country rock tribute album for the immortal Stones was
put together by renowned producer Robert Deaton. It features 14 covers
of 14 classics of one of the greatest bands in history.
The psych rock gunslingers from down under launced their 6th album, titled Fronzoli (meaning, ‘something unnecessary added as decoration’) on November 10.
Press photo
Jack McEwan (songwriter/frontman): “This record is my favourite creation
to date. Every nuance has been discussed, slandered and carefully contorted into place,
it sporadically colours outside the lines, so you’re left with these extraverted squiggles.”
TUTV: Uppercut after uppercut, corker after corker, jackhammer after jackhammer
(you get two breathers with amplified ballad Cpt. Gravity Mouse Welcome and the short acoustic beauty ‘Illusions of Grandeur’). Your ears need to be in great shape to absorb
this whirlwind record.
If PPC were animals they would be hungry wolves wandering in the deserts of Australia looking for prey. Their melting pot of glam metal, pithy punk, high-voltage pop and other noisy shout-outs results in an ecstatic body of infectious. Btw, am I the only one who thinks McEwan‘s voice resembles Arctic Monkey’s Alex Turner one (now and then) and vice versa, of course. Top-tier opus.
The synth-pop musician/songwriter who started his career with Depeche Mode,
who he left after their 1981 debut album to form Yazoo (1981–1983, 2008-2011)
with grand voice Alison Moyet and later on he started Erasure with singer/songwriter Andy Bell.
TUTV: If you don’t pay attention to the author of this record when you’re listening
to it, there’s a great chance that you think that it’s another ambient Brian Eno album.
The relaxing ambient atmospheres Clarke creates (Cathedral / Passage / Imminent / Last Transmission) are similar to the ones Eno composes/composed (29 solo LPs, so far).
Clarke paints synth-scapes with an overall symphonic sonority, with both classical
(like the weeping violin play on The Lamentations Of Jeremiah) and futuristic-sounding structures (White Rabbit / Scarper). This is the sort of cosmic music that calms me down after a busy day. Its relaxing effect soothes my buzzing mind. Tranquillizing, instrumental (except for Blackleg which is infused with eerie chants) uncomplicatedness for dark winter nights.
Wonderful work.
Silent majesty.
Chill-out vibes.
Sonic ear-massage.
Former The Cure drummer Lol Tolhorst (64), Budgie (65), former Siouxsie
and the Banshees drummer and Siouxsie‘s husband, and Irish music producer Jacknife Lee all live in Los Angeles and as music junkies, they found each other
in the City of Angels and decided to give it a go together and fabricated
a rad longplayer.
TUTV: The trio invited big-name vocalists such as Bobby Gillespie and James Murphy
(LCD Soundsystem) and other stars such as The Edge (U2) and Mark Bowen (Idles) for
their first body of work. 13 tracks, 54 minutes.
If there was a jungle in Los Angeles this would be its soundtrack. Lots of primitive Budgie percussion (remember his album ‘A Bestiary Of with his then-wife Siouxsie Sioux, operating as The Creatures?) embedded in synth orchestrations creating dance-infused collages. Paranoid psychedelia for big cities. The flow of the tracklist isn’t as accurate as it could have been, but first impression after a couple of spins is one of let’s hit the drums
once again.
Supreme songsmith Joe Jackson released his 21st studio album a week ago.
A surprising one as the record celebrates Music Hall legend Max Champion
who is credited for writing all the songs.
Music Hall is a musical genre that started in the pubs and streets of London
in the mid-19th century and grew into the first form of mass entertainment to
be created by the working classes. By 1900 it regularly drew huge audiences from
across the whole spectrum of society, from prostitutes to princes, all singing along
with superstar performers in gorgeous theatres (some of which still survive). Like
its American cousin Vaudeville, Music Hall featured magicians, acrobats, and
ventriloquists – elements that we still see today in musical theatre and cabaret
shows.
One of the most fascinating of the Music Hall performers was Max Champion.
Little is known about him, except that he was born in London in 1882. He was
almost completely forgotten until the sheet music of his songs was found in Valletta, Malta, in 2014.
What A Racket! presents eleven of Max Champion’s songs for the first time
in more than a century with Jackson directing a 12-piece orchestra and singing
like a genuine Music Hall artist.
Title track with a great old footage video
Joe Jackson:: ‘These were wonderful songs in their time, but they’re
surprisingly modern, too. Sometimes it’s almost as if Max is speaking,
from his London of the early 20th century, directly to us in the early 21st’.
It’s showtime, folks.
Enjoy this glorious sonic spectacle.
At the age of 77, fabulous country queen Dolly Parton
is still working longer than from 9 to 5 per day.
In a recent interview, she said:“I would never retire. I’ll just hopefully drop dead in the middle of a song on stage someday, hopefully one I’ve written.”
Her never-ending creativity and productivity is astonishing.
The living legend just launched her 49th (!) LP. Her first rock album.
Parton about the album: “I’m so excited to finally present my first Rock and Roll album.
I am very honored and privileged to have worked with some of the greatest iconic singers
and musicians of all time and to be able to sing all the iconic songs throughout the album
was a joy beyond measure. I hope everybody enjoys the album as much as I’ve enjoyed
putting it together!”
The longplayer contains no less than 30 songs and 20 covers, including collabs
with big names such as Miley Cyrus, Sheryl Crow, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Sting,
Chris Stapleton, Stevie Nicks, John Fogerty, and many more.
I don’t own a Dolly album, I didn’t follow her career but as so many million people
I know her hits, and I do love her formidable voice – the heroine again on this record –
and her charismatic I do what I want attitude.
After launching her super-duper 6-track EP Chaos Of Time last March, Langford
closes the year with this rock-and-rap-punk banger. Whang, whang, whang.
Foefetti has somehow a fuller resonance than her previous pieces. And it works spot on. Glittery, glammy and trash-y (like the video). Be ready to sing happy birthday to 6-year-old princess Jodie midway. Don’t worry afterward you can continue to pogo around the table. Treat yourself, buy this present here.
Helter skelter. What a riff-deranged head-over-heels speedball.
AWESOME. Think Australian barbed wire rock generator Amyl And The
Sniffers getting even louder and nastier than they already are. Irked
produce no-nonsense punk pandemonium with a dashing fanaticism
and crazed ruckus.
The vocalist screams her lungs out with intimidating force. MENTAL.
Don’t mess with her, don’t look for trouble with her. She’s a ragging
rapping reactor. Sharp-teethed stuff, shattering debut.
These 4 motherrockers learned their craft by making noisy waves in different
bands before. They just released their cooking 4-track EP named ROBOT.
Robot artwork
The title track is a bass/guitar-riff steamroller going everywhere fast.
A fanatical flare-up that speeds towards a monstrous climax. Who needs
humans when robots kick ass this knife-edged way.
London’s inflammable grime-rap-punk turbine Bob Vylan have canned their third
album. It’s named Humble As The Sun and will see the day of light on 5 April 2024.
These British mavericks rattle and rumble from the get-go on this crackerjack
blast. They don’t like a boring normal life. Who can blame them? The frustration
is accentuated by freakish guitar/bass frenzy, merciless drumming and flustered vocals.
Solid sucker-punch. Never lose faith in this band.
Crows On Wires is the dark-dream-wave project of German artist Antje Davids-Weis.
This new single echoes previous pieces. Rotating synth beats, shadowy dynamics, darksome vocals work together and turn Stop The Clock into a terrifically catching
stomper.
9. ‘Say It Like You Mean It’ by SLEATER-KINNEY (Seattle, WA)
Washington‘s longtime rollin’ indie-pop-punk stars SLEATER-KINNEY
who started their journey (with 3 members) back in 1994, went on a
break in 2006, reloaded their engines in 2014, became a duo – Carrie
Brownstein and Corin Tucker – have their new, 10th LP, baptized Little
Rope out on 19 January 2024.
2nd single Say It Like You Mean It is
edged guitar pop at its racy best.
10. ‘The Sadness In You, The Sadness In Me‘ by SUEDE (UK)
Last year the glam veterans Suede released their 9th,
back to top form, albumAutofiction.
An expanded edition shows up on December 8. It
includes a live LP. More info and order detailshere.
Along with the LP’s release came a 4-track EP that was available for
only one week. The songs will appear now on the expanded box.
The Sadness In You, The Sadness In Me will be one of them.
A vintage Suede sparkler with Anderson‘s emotional vocals going sky-high
on the chorus. Can’t understand why this stellar song wasn’t on the original
album. Anyway, it’s here now.
It’s been 5 years since this Belgian garage guitar indies released
their debut album Common Specimen/Indoor Mold.
But they’re back now, and they didn’t lose their electrical mojo nor their sassy swagger. Crazed drums, afire guitars and tense vocals are what you get. Don’t miss their return.
This weird Canadian trio nails it with their new single Wish It Back, a heartfelt tribute to times gone by.
It’s a spry rocker that swings forth and back. From harmonious tenderness to zippy discharge, from shiny guitar sparks to electrifying commotion, while poignant vocals add extra emotive energy to this splendid nugget. It’s about looking back nostalgia we all are familiar with, wrapped here in a forceful piece of music.
I Feel Nothing is the first new piece of music in over 2 years from this British indie trio.
One spin and I knew we had a winner here. I Feel Nothing is a funky pop
groove, richly orchestrated with footstompin’ drums, glistening synths, wah-wah
guitar here and there, pumping bass and spacey vocals. It swings back and forth,
with a hip-shaking impact when the delirious chorus comes up. Think Tears For
Fears, Depeche Mode and Tame Impala all rolled into one.
Wolf:“This song delves into the complex theme of loyalty conflicts, the inner divide
between descendants and parents (us and them) and the broader social division into
‘us’ and ‘them’, (fueled by social media and war).”
Capricorn is a spellbinding slow-mo musing with an ominous sonority produced
by electric bass, sober drums and eerie acoustic guitar play. It creates a trance-like atmosphere with its subtle and low-key orchestration and Van Wymeersch gloomy
vocals. Fascinating score.
So much is happening on this crazy cut. First in, hungry guitars and footstompin’ drumming immediately joined by frolicsome synth touches that easily could be experienced as the theme of a creepy movie, depending on your (in)stable
state of mind.
Next, eerie vocals, backed by some spooky howling, check in adding a what’s going on
vibe, and zigzagging through all the sonic razzmatazz. Head-spinning stuff, folks.
16. ‘Can You See Me?’ by CATHOLIC GUILT (Melbourne, Australia)
The song is a tale of lost identity and feeling at odds with yourself.
It’s feverishly rushing ripper propelled by an army of guitars, hefty drumming and
psyched vocals. This manic missile reflects frontman/songwriter’s Brenton Harris
identity issues spot-on.
Sonically as well as lyrically, Can You See Me resonates like a much-needed escape from
a troubled and confused state of mind. I guess this sounds familiar to so many of us out there. If you’re a Fall Out Boy fan you’ll definitely add this fiery emo piece to your favourite playlist.
The band’s name is a testament to their stature and nature – alter kaker is a Yiddish term for an old person, or as the band likes to call it, “an old fart.” That level of self-awareness helps when creating a song like “When You’re Gone.”
The band’s Steve Bronstein wrote this track one year ago near the close of a relationship. But unlike the more common musical theme in breakup songs, the singer isn’t sad about the conclusion – he relishes it.
Looking for an infectious jump-for-joy post-breakup tune? Here it is.
After playing with some bands, Belgian musician Mirabelle van de Put decided
in 2021 to go solo under the moniker of HAZE. Her excellent self-titled debut LP appeared the same year.
She’ll have her sophomore one, titled Out of Sight, out in January.
Hiding is the first single. A glinstering dream pop musing featuring sparkling guitar
and smooth bass play, and van dePut‘s enticing voice takes you on a relaxing trip that flares up now and then.
The eye-catching video is created by Naomi Kerkhove.
Lauren Anderson is a Chicago born and Nashville-based singer-songwriter.
She has, so far, 3 albums on her résumé. And has now new single Love Again
out.
Expect a towering voice. Zestful, vivacious and highly gripping. Classic country-blues splendor. The kind of song that send shivers down your spine with its full-hearted
passion and its overwhelming sonority.
Wurlitzer jukeboxes were invented back then to play affecting tunes like this one
in smoky bars to comfort lonely souls and melancholic hearts. This sort of music
will never lose its healing impact.
At the age of 77, fabulous country queen DOLLY PARTON
is still working longer than from 9 to 5 per day.
In a recent interview, she said:“I would never retire. I’ll just hopefully drop dead in the middle of a song on stage someday, hopefully one I’ve written.”
Her never-ending creativity and productivity is astonishing.
The living legend just launched her 49th (!) LP ROCKSTAR.
Parton about the album: “I’m so excited to finally present my first Rock and Roll album.
I am very honored and privileged to have worked with some of the greatest iconic singers
and musicians of all time and to be able to sing all the iconic songs throughout the album
was a joy beyond measure. I hope everybody enjoys the album as much as I’ve enjoyed
putting it together!”
Rolling Stone Magazine: “Parton’s 49th album, Rockstar, is her first foray into rock & roll.
She got the idea to do a rock covers LP after being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. She throws a Karaoke Party with a bonkers guest list. Dolly and her longtime bandleader and producer Kent Wells convened an astonishing collection of all-star duet partners. This has got to be the most stacked guest list in the history of guest lists, a karaoke night out where the party bus is stocked with a decent hunk of the most famous people ever in music.”
The longplayer contains no less than 30 songs and 20 covers, including collabs
with Miley Cyrus, Sheryl Crow, Lizzo, Elton John, Chris Stapleton, Stevie Nicks, Sting,
John Fogerty, and many more.
I don’t own a Dolly album, I didn’t follow her career but as so many million people
I know her hits, and I do love her formidable voice – the heroine again on this record –
and her charismatic I do what I want attitude.
Her Prince cover is my favorite. Sublime performance
At the age of 77, fabulous country superstar DOLLY PARTON is still working longer than
9 to 5 per day.
In a recent interview, she said: “I would never retire. I’ll just hopefully drop
dead in the middle of a song on stage someday, hopefully one I’ve written.”
And to prove her never-ending productivity, she just released her
49th (!) LP. It’s called Rockstar. Yep, Parton‘s first rock longplayer.
It features several big name collaborations.
The supreme standout track is her cover of PURPLE RAIN,
the 1984 blockbuster hit from late musical genius PRINCE.
Parton‘s vocal performance is absolutely fantastic.
At the age of 77, imperishable country superstar DOLLY PARTON
is still very alive and kickin’, working much longer than 9 to 5.
The glam and glitter diva just announced details of her 49th (!) LP.
It’s called ROCKSTAR and lands on November 17.
Parton about the album: “I’m so excited to finally present my first Rock and Roll album.
I am very honored and privileged to have worked with some of the greatest iconic singers
and musicians of all time and to be able to sing all the iconic songs throughout the album
was a joy beyond measure. I hope everybody enjoys the album as much as I’ve enjoyed
putting it together!”
Along with the news came the first high-voltage track Magic Man.
And with the second taster named BYGONES she turns up the decibels even more. Dolly goes metal? Absolutely, Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford (who co-wrote the song). Motley Crue’s Nikki Six also plays on the track.
Parton: “Bygones” is an original song of mine featuring Rob Halford from Judas Priest with Nikki Sixx and John 5. It is one of my very favorites on the whole album. The song fits with so many couples, and coupling my voice with Rob, one of my all-time favorites, made it even more special“.
In order to not miss a beat Turn Up The Volume scans the musical
horizon daily (doing it for years now, actually) to stay in touch with
all new things sonically great and shares the results on a weekly
basis.
Check the 10 new rad tracks
added to this rad 2023 playlist.
At the age of 77, imperishable country superstar DOLLY PARTON
is still very alive and kickin’, working much longer than 9 to 5.
The glam and glitter diva just announced details of her 49th (!) album.
It’s called ROCKSTAR and lands on November 17.
Parton about the album: “I’m so excited to finally present my first Rock and Roll album.
I am very honored and privileged to have worked with some of the greatest iconic singers
and musicians of all time and to be able to sing all the iconic songs throughout the album
was a joy beyond measure. I hope everybody enjoys the album as much as I’ve enjoyed
putting it together!”
Along with this news comes the first single, named WORLD ON FIRE.
Parton: “This is a song I felt very inspired to write. I think it speaks about everything
and to everyone this day and time. I hope it is something that will touch you and maybe
touch enough people to want to make a change for the better.”
Yes, I admit, it was an outright surprise to hear Parton getting on fire as never before. Rockstar is a high-voltage chant with a stomp à la Queen‘s ‘We Will Rock You’. I never
thought I would never say Wham Bloody Wham Bam related to this country queen.
