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5-9’s Album of the Month Podcast – Episode 3 Coming Soon!

March has now come to an end, which means the next edition of the 5-9 Album of the Month Podcast will soon be live, in which myself, 5-9 Editor Andrew Belt, Check This Out’s Kiley Larsen and Blinded by The Floodlights’ Matthew McLister review five high profile album releases from the past month in music, and ultimately name one as our Album of the Month at the end of the discussion.

For a stacked March, the five albums we will be covering are:

Fantasy by M83 (Poll winner, thanks to everyone who voted!)

The Record by Boygenius

LIES by LIES

Rides On by The Nude Party

Praise A Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds) by Yves Tumor

If you want to listen to the February episode simply click the link below, but also be sure to follow 5-9 Blog on Instagram and Twitter for more news and polls relating to the podcast, along with other great content like film reviews, sports articles and more.

Listen to the February 2023 episode here

Album & EP Recommendations

Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd by Lana Del Rey

A woman who needs no introduction at this point, one of the most hotly anticipated releases of the year so far finally arrived this month in the form Lana Del Rey’s eighth studio album – Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd (which we can all agree is a peak Lana type of album title).

Having delivered her undisputed magnum opus Norman Fucking Rockwell (NFR) back in 2019, Miss Lizzy Grant has not rested on her laurels since, quickly following up with two more albums in 2021 – Chemtrails Over The Country Club and Blue Banisters. Whilst both records had their moments, the former more so, neither quite came close enough to the theatre, majesty and sheer perfection of NFR. However now back with her fourth album in as many years, Lana has once again hit some career best highs on Did you know…, albeit a record that still has its flaws.

Let’s start off on the positives though and there are plenty to talk about - particularly the entire first half of this record where the songs presented can easily stand toe to toe with anything on NFR. Opener The Grants welcomes the listener with some gorgeous gospel vocal harmonies, before Lana herself takes over with her inimitable vocals, exquisitely sharing memories of her family. The title track is then even better and already one of my favourite Lana tracks, with its stirring strings, anguished vocals and heartbreaking lyrics of self-loathing (“Open me up, tell me you like me, Fuck me to death, love me until I love myself”). As Lana is joined by a choir for the swelling “Don’t Forget Me” refrain in the song’s outro, you’d have to be cold hearted to not be greatly moved.

After the sweeping heartache of Sweet, seven-minute epic A&W is another career highlight which sees Lana detail “the experience of being an American Whore.” It’s vintage Lana, with the first half stripped back and centred around her sublime, hushed vocals, before it steadily morphs into a rumbling, trap style beat as she sarcastically sings “Your Mom called, I told her, you’re fucking up big time.” Just superb.

After an interlude from social media preacher Judah Smith, the Jon Baptiste featuring Candy Necklace then delivers another big album highlight, as a simple piano arrangement beautifully glides off Lana’s vocals on the poetic chorus of “You’ve been acting pretty reckless, dancing like the young and restless.” After the extended Jon Baptiste outro, Kintsugi strikes a similar chord with just Lana singing live alongside a piano – again just stunning and really spotlights what a special artist she has become.

However, as I mentioned the album isn’t without it’s flaws and it’s around the midway point these start to become more noticeable – the main one being the album’s length. This is Lana’s longest record to date and whilst the songs in the middle section like Paris Texas, Grandfather… and her collaborations with Father John Misty and Bleachers sound great in isolation, you may find yourself weary of Lana’s singular pace by the time you reach this portion of the record. Twice whilst listening front-to-back I found myself falling into a bit of a lull during these tracks, but returning to them individually afterward helped me to connect with them. Also for me, these songs just don’t quite match up to those in the first half – at least after a few plays.

Thankfully though Lana pulls it back around at the end, thanks to the infectious trap groove of the album’s most pure pop moment, Peppers. This is then followed by closing track Taco Truck x VB, which brazenly morphs halfway through into a remix of her own classic track, Venice Bitch from NFR. Is this a lazy finish or a cool flex? I’ll let you decide.

So whilst I’ve seen a lot of people saying Lana has knocked it out the park again with this one and possibly delivered her best yet, I’m not quite in that same boat. I do however think it’s definitely in the top half of her discography, and the first half of this record in particular is as good as anything she has ever done. I do still feel that Lana may have oversaturated her catalogue somewhat, and if she had just waited to combine the best half of this record, the best half of Chemtrails and the gems from Blue Banisters like the title track, Arcadia and Nectar of the Gods, she may have had another NFR level masterpiece on her hands.

That said though, I admire the work ethic and frequency at which Lana is delivering new music and I’m not going to complain too much about having a mountain of music from her over the last few years. The fact she’s been so productive and still served up some of the very best work of her career, really it can only be admired.

Listen here

SCARING THE HOES by JPEGMAFIA & Danny Brown

An album that thankfully went from rumour to reality pretty quickly, the last few weeks has also seen hip hop sensations JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown release their much-anticipated collaboration album – and it doesn’t disappoint.

Opener and lead single Lean Beef Patty basically captures everything that you can expect from this record in a nutshell - a sub 2-minute hurricane of hard electronic blasts, masterful production from JPEG and mesmerising lyrical wizardry from both artists. For 36 minutes, SCARING THE HOES is just an absolute blast of fun, thriving on chaotic beats, cheeky samples and ice-cold bars – everything you would want and expect from a project featuring these two cult superstars.

In terms of moments of magic there’s plenty too, with the first half boasting the dazzling and wittily titled Steppa Pig, the energetic, jazz-infused title track and the Kelis-sampling Fentanyl Tester. Then the back end sees Maryland rapper Redveil join the duo for the oddly enchanting Kingdom Hearts Key, whilst the pair then spit over some wildly distorted lounge piano on the bizarre yet brilliant, Jack Harlow Combo Meal. That said, my personal favourite track is the emphatic, horn-backed Burfict! which is so gloriously triumphant, I’ll be very surprised if we hear a better hip hop beat this year.

Overall, this record is just a tonne of fun and a real early 2023 standout from the hip hop genre. Here’s hoping we get more from these two in the future!

Listen here

Live At Bush Hall by Black Country, New Road

Carrying on after losing a founding member is never easy, and these next two albums both come in the wake of such a moment for these two bands - albeit in two very different circumstances.

Firstly we have an outfit still relatively in their infancy - art-rockers Black Country, New Road (BCNR). Having earned a Mercury Prize for their debut For The First Time before then blowing critics and fans away with their deeply moving, beautifully crafted sophomore record Ants From Up There (one of my Top 5 Albums of 2022), BCNR looked to be on the verge of big things. However, with frontman Isaac Wood stepping away from the band for mental health reasons prior to Ants From Up There’s release, the remaining six-piece collective were suddenly seemingly sent back to square one.

Promising to not perform any of their music prior to Isaac’s departure ever again, the band instead began to play a few shows of entirely new music, which is exactly what has now been captured in this Live At Bush Hall release. This live album feels like the perfect next step and rebirth for BCNR, showing that although Isaac was a huge loss, they still have plenty to offer both as a live force and as songwriters going forward. If you don’t believe me, check out the full live performance for yourself below and pay particular attention to epic tracks The Boy and Turbines/Pigs which are my early favourites from Black Country, New Road Mk. 2.

Watch the full Live At Bush Hall performance here

Listen to the live album here

Memento Mori by Depeche Mode

Written and recorded amidst COVID limitations before then being released following the tragic sudden passing of founding member Andy Fletcher in 2022, Depeche Mode’s fifteenth studio album was seemingly destined to be a hefty, emotionally charged listen. Haunting lead single Ghosts Again remains one of the best singles of the year so far and offered fans an early window into the thematic and sonic content of Memento Mori. However even with this, I’m sure not many expected the final result to be Dave Gahan and Martin Gore’s best work since at least 2005’s Playing The Angel – possibly even earlier.

Perfectly balancing the darkness in the lyrics with uplifting electronic-driven melodies, the band have also enlisted the help of Psychedelic Furs vocalist Richard Butler who elevates tracks Don’t Say You Love Me and Caroline’s Monkey. There’s also some late career classics from the duo, with the neon-soaked melancholy of Wagging Tongue, the industrial-backed vulnerability of Before We Drown and the exhilaratingly anthemic Never Let Me Go all standing out.

Overall, this is a towering work from a band now well over 40 years into their career, which helps make it all the more impressive. Using the pair’s own description, Memento Mori runs “the gamut from paranoia and obsession to catharsis and joy, and hitting myriad points between" – and if that doesn’t sell you, nothing will.

Listen here

That Sweet Breath EP by Lowmello

Then on the EPs front this week, Santa Fe label Mama Mañana records are continuing to kill it with each release and this latest one from indie-rock multi-instrumentalist Abel John, who goes by the alias Lowmello, continues their hot streak.

Starting initially on a trippy vortex that even Kevin Parker would be proud of, Abel’s powerful raw vocals and buzzy guitars soon cut in on opener Red Lipstick, bringing some welcome unique flavour to proceedings. It’s a scintillating start which soon makes way for excellent single Fool, a track inspired by Abel’s own arrest for drink driving a few years back. Turning this embarrassing mistake into a shareable lesson, Fool is the result of an artist turning a corner and finding clarity in what they want to create, with the song wonderfully channelling Pretty Years-era Cymbals Eat Guitars for a grungy yet poppy belter of a track.

After that brilliant opening one-two combo, I’m pleased to say the EP doesn’t let up from there. 26 is a soaring, sand-dusted anthem of the ilk that made The Killers global superstars, whilst Andrew is a charmingly reflective ode to Abel’s own family and upbringing. The EP’s title track then triumphantly wraps things up in a haze of swirling guitar riffs, inspired by an enlightening hot yoga session and carrying with it more than a few callbacks to The Strokes.

Overall, this is a fantastic EP from Lowmello that delivers 5/5 on the indie belters front. If you love your guitars and have 15 minutes to spare, don’t sleep on this one.

Listen here

Rides On by The Nude Party

“The Nude Party is now back with their third full-length record, Rides On, an auditory trip through the late sixties and early seventies, with their barn studio serving as the time machine. For those familiar with the band, this may not sound like much of a change from their first two records, and you’d be correct. The thing is, The Nude Party is one of those groups that pick a lane and choose to barrel down the highway in a tank (with flowers shoved in the cannon, of course).

At the same time, this is the first album with The Nude Party self-producing at their upstate barn, like The Band at Big Pink, and it might be why Rides On is more relaxed and playful than their previous work. Things are much bluesier this time, like the barroom tack and harmonica on “Polly Anne” and the closer, “Red Rocket Ride.” We even have a magnificently greasy cover of Dr. John’s “Somebody Tryin’ to Hoodoo Me” for one of the record’s best moments.”

Read Kiley Larsen’s full review here

Listen here

A Fistful of Peaches by Black Honey

“Almost two years to the day since their last album release, the quartet are back with a new focus on third effort A Fistful of Peaches. The Brighton band’s new one is their most personal and open album yet…Black Honey’s third album is full of heavy guitars and big choruses, sprinkling some sweetness throughout. Make no mistake, this is an alt rock record to be played LOUD. Albeit the lack of variety is off-putting. At least initially.

A Fistful of Peaches is darker and heavier both in sound and lyrical themes addressed. This, of course, creates an unavoidable contrast to their last. Written & Directed was incredibly immediate but perhaps lacked the substance to revisit long after its release. Here the opposite is achieved. If you aren’t taken by this instantly, eventually you’ll get there and come around to the record’s many earworms.”

Read Matt McLister’s full review for Gigwise here

Listen here

Also worth checking out: Praise The Lord… by Yves Tumor, Fantasy by M83, So Much (For) Stardust by Fall Out Boy

Tracks of the Week

Eucalyptus by The National

Having been left somewhat underwhelmed by The National’s first two singles for their upcoming album First Two Pages of Frankenstein, I’m pleased to say this latest single has thankfully raised my personal hype-o-meter ready for the album dropping next month. Propelled by the Dessner brothers and riding an anthemic chorus of “You should take it, ‘cause I’m not gonna take it”, this is simply the National at their best.

Listen here

No Reason by The Chemical Brothers

When it comes to The Kings of Electronic, you can always expect them to deliver – without even going back to their 90s heyday, just look at 2019’s exceptional No Geography and 2021 single The Darkness That You Fear. Now No Reason continues their recent renaissance, with an instantly danceable groove that shimmers along until it erupts in a blitz of pulsating synths towards the back end. Hopefully a new album is on the way because we want more!

Listen here

Black British by V V Brown

I had completely forgotten about singer-songwriter V V Brown, until the moment I saw this week that she had released her first new music in eight long years. As a big fan of her previous work, particularly 2013’s Samson & Delilah, it’s fantastic to have V V’s talent back in the limelight and Black British is a simply outstanding return. Soulful, urgent and provocative, it’s a song that you simply need to hear.

Listen here

Spellbinding by Smashing Pumpkins

The legendary rockers have already released two thirds of their monster new album ATUM, which is set to clock in at a whopping 2.5 hours and 33 songs once fully released. On sheer probability alone there was always bound to be something worth listening to in that mountain of music and one of those tracks is the first taster for part three of the album, Spellbinding. Living up to its title, it combines playful pop synths, rip-roaring guitars and a hugely anthemic chorus for one of their best songs in years.

Listen here

Stupid by bexx

Retro-banger manufacturer bexx has already proved she is one the most exciting voices emerging in pop music right now, but if you’ve somehow not been convinced yet then her new single Stupid is sure to do the trick. With a (sadly!) relatable sentiment at its core and an instantly catchy earworm chorus, you’ll be singing along in petty rage at your ex in no time. Best experienced with the fun rom-com inspired music video which you can watch below too.

Watch the video here

Listen here

Errors and Repairs by Codice Ego

Something a bit different now, Italian alt-rockers Codice Ego have released their latest single Errors and Repairs this week, with the narrative centred around one of their band member’s experiences dealing with the fallout of a life-changing illness. Dark, industrial and an unsettling tone throughout, it’s shades of Placebo by way of Metric.

Listen here

Beatnik by Fake Turins

North London’s premier disco-psych 11-piece Fake Turins continue their farewell victory lap, having officially announced they will be calling it a day on the 8th June, a date which is set to host their final show at London’s Village Underground. Thankfully they are giving fans one final parting gift, in the form of their Inheritance EP, which is due out a month earlier on the 9th May. Following on from their excellent previous single Yr Made of Gold, the collective have now released the second taster of their upcoming EP. Titled Beatnik, it is a hypnotic barrage of mind-melting riffs, hip-shifting grooves and ominous dread.

Listen here

Lumoflove by Sad Boys Club

We are just over one month out from indie up-and-comers Sad Boys Club finally releasing their debut album, the intriguingly titled Lullabies From The Lightning Tree. Whilst all the singles for the record so far have been great, Lumoflove may just be the best yet, centred around a stirring piano arrangement and a jaw-dropping vocal performance from frontman Jacob Wheldon.

Listen here

She’s A Star (Orchestral Version) by James

Over a decade on from their last highly acclaimed orchestral tour, Mancunian indie legends James will be hitting the road next month accompanied by a gospel choir and 22-piece orchestra for what will surely be one of the live shows of the year. This time around, the band will also be releasing an album titled Be Opened By The Wonderful, featuring these orchestral reimaginings of their biggest and best songs. 90s classic She’s A Star is the first to undergo the treatment and it’s every bit as magical as you would expect.

Listen here

2am (Dan Carey Dub) by Foals

And finally this week, Foals are busy prepping a Dub remix of their brilliant, sun-soaked seventh album, last year’s Life Is Yours, which will be released in a few weeks’ time as part of Record Store Day 2023. The first taste is this mind-altering version of one of the best songs of 2022, remixed by none other than producer of the moment, Mr. Dan Carey. The result? Certified banger!

Listen here

Also worth checking out: In My Head by Nell Mescal, Mommy by Miya Folick, Good Lies by Overmono

REMINDER: If you use Apple Music, you can also keep up-to-date with all my favourite 2023 tracks through my Best of 2023 playlist. Constantly updated throughout the year with songs I enjoy, it is then finalised into a Top 100 Songs of the Year in December.

Add the playlist to your library here

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