New This Week: Josh Turner, the Shins, Bush, Charli XCX, and More
Searching for something to listen to this weekend? Yahoo Music has you covered with a rundown of some of this week’s biggest and buzzing releases, including Josh Turner, Bush, Charli XCX, and more. Check back every Friday for a fresh list of albums to help fuel your weekend playlists.
Josh Turner: Deep South (MCA Nashville). The multiplatinum-selling country star with the deep, deep voice hasn’t released an album in five years — a lag his fans have felt keenly. Here he returns, finally, with his sixth album, which shows off a seasoned maturity and confidence in both his professional and personal lives.
Peter Murphy: Bare Boned and Sacred (Metropolis). Murphy is, of course, most famed for being the godfather of Goth in his historic role as Bauhaus frontman. His solo career offered up a considerable handful of hits, though, as well — many of which are included in this new live collection. Murphy also pays tribute to the late David Bowie with a cover of his 1971 “Bewlay Brothers.”
Bush: Black and White Rainbows (Zuma Rock). It’s impossible to listen to the latest release by Bush without wondering if it was influenced by the obvious — namely frontman Gavin Rossdale’s rather ugly divorce from fellow star Gwen Stefani. The answer is yes, but Rossdale handles the subject in a surprisingly non-cliché way, injecting a modicum of hope into strong melodies that stand up to his band’s classic work.
Charli XCX: Number 1 Angel (Asylum). This is Charli XCX’s first mixtape since 2012’s Super Ultra. It’s not exactly a party album, as it’s weighed down with a fair amount of gloomier sentiment, but fans will appreciate the musical power and fine production regardless of mood.
Chickenfoot: Best + Live (Chickenfoot LLC/eOne Music). Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony, and Chad Smith are here to please fans with the ultimate set: a best-of, plus a live 2009 concert recording, and — cherry on the sundae — a brand-new song called “Divine Termination.” Rock!
Hurray for the Riff Raff: The Navigator (ATO). The New Orleans band, led by Alynda Segarra, traverses a narrative journey in which Segarra explores her Puerto Rican heritage through the eyes of a fictional character. The set touches on many subjects poignant in this day and age, of which immigration is certainly not the least.
Fairport Convention: 50:50@50 (Matty Grooves). Fairport Convention, the U.K.’s most influential folk-rock band, decided to celebrate its 50th anniversary with a collection of half-live, half-studio recordings — a mix of old favorites and brand-new tunes. Classic rock icon Robert Plant provides guest vocals on one of the tracks.
Laura Marling: Semper Femina (More Alarming). British folk singer-songwriter Marling is on her sixth release, and this one is a smart and sharp lens on the female experience. If thinking isn’t your thing, best to avoid this intelligent and witty album.
Sunny Sweeney: Trophy (Aunt Daddy/Thirty Tigers). Texas singer-songwriter Sweeney brings spice, twang, and surprising twists and turns of emotion on her fourth release. Lori McKenna assisted with writing four of the songs on this heartfelt and complex release.
Valerie June: The Order of Time (Concord). On her sophomore release, June paints detailed stories of real life, all rolled into her unique brew of folky/bluesy vibes. Norah Jones provides piano accompaniment on several of the tracks.
The Shins: Heartworms (Aural Apothecary/Columbia). The Shins take matters into their own hands with their fifth album — literally, as frontman James Mercer helms up both songwriting and production. The result is a richly lyrical brew that harks back to some of the band’s earlier material while still taking a step forward.
Beauty and the Beast (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Walt Disney). The much-talked-about live action version of Disney’s 1991 animated classic — starring Emma Watson — hits theaters on March 17. The score contains three new recordings of the original movie’s songs, as well as three original compositions written just for this version.
