New This Week: The Chainsmokers, Deep Purple, Father John Misty, 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 the Chainsmokers, Father John Misty, Deep Purple, and more. Check back every Friday for a fresh list of albums to help fuel your weekend playlists.
The Chainsmokers: Memories…Do Not Open (Columbia/Disruptor). Selling 10 million singles in just a couple of years is a pretty good indicator that the Chainsmokers were a shoo-in for one of the most eagerly anticipated albums this year. Their debut full-length contains the already smash-hit singles “Paris” and “Something Just Like This” with Coldplay, along with 10 new songs that are sure to make similar waves.
Deep Purple: InFinite (earMUSIC). Iconic Brits Deep Purple – one of the most influential rock bands of all time – now have 20 albums under their belts with the release of InFinite. For a group that’s been around five decades, there’s remarkably still a lot of steam left here – the set manages to provoke that classic ‘70s feel but with completely modern production. Vocalist Ian Gillian sounds as if he hasn’t aged a day.
Cory Branan: Adios (Bloodshot). Alt-country singer-songwriter Branan doesn’t like playing by any rules, and he continues in this vein with his latest album, which unabashedly – and somehow coherently – mixes rock, new wave, jazz, and even a rollicking bit of punk to his rootsy style. Guest appearances by Amanda Shires, Laura Jane Grace of Against Me!, and Dave Hause further add to the colorful, spirited vibe.
Michelle Branch: Hopeless Romantic (Verve). It has been quite a while since we’ve had a solo album from Branch – her last was in 2003. Record label issues kept her from releasing music during the ensuing 10-plus years, but thankfully she is now on a new label and in fine form. The set is produced by Patrick Carney of the Black Keys, and finds Branch wielding an undoubtedly more mature pop vibe.
Cold War Kids: LA DIVINE (Capitol). Long Beach, Calif. rockers Cold War Kids have had a longtime fascination with Southern California’s largest city, Los Angeles, and this time they’ve written an album paying an extraordinary tribute to that town’s expansive, strange, and unique array of vibes and influences.
Father John Misty: Pure Comedy (Sub Pop). This is Josh Tillman’s third album under the moniker Father John Misty, and true to its title, he manages to inject a healthy dose of humor into wry, sardonic songwriting centered around the current ills of our times. Expect examination of the apocalypse combined with mentions of Taylor Swift and Fleetwood Mac along the way.
Joey Bada$$: ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ (Pro Era/Cinematic Music Group). Brooklyn rapper Joey Bada$$ is only 22 years old, but on his highly anticipated sophomore release, he rocks an all-grown-up, confident approach, integrating thoughtful political commentary into his slick production. Notable guests include J. Cole, Styles P, and ScHoolboy Q.
Mike + Mechanics: Let Me Fly (BMG Rights Management). Genesis’s Mike Rutherford’s other band hasn’t put out an album since 2001, but fans will likely find it worth the wait. Their eighth release hearkens back to the classic sound the trio played around with back in the mid-‘80s, when Rutherford was seeking a diversion from his main gig.
New Pornographers: Whiteout Conditions (Collected Works/Concord). On their seventh album, the New Pornographers pile on the synth and nimbly juggle three vocalists – business as usual – but do it all with at a faster tempo and increased concentration on rhythm than their previous works, resulting in a powerpop treat filled with harmonies and hooks.
Pentatonix: PTX Vol. IV – Classics (RCA). The latest from the Grammy winning viral sensations has the stellar a cappella vocalists trying their pipes out on a list of seven well-known pop-culture nuggets, including such tunes as “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Imagine,” and their much lauded duet of “Jolene” with country icon Dolly Parton.
Wire: Silver/Lead (pinkflag). This marks the 16th release for the post-punk veterans, who’ve been consistently at it for 40 years now. They remain consistent after all this time: Tight, to the point (the entire album is just a little more than a half-hour long), carefully constructed, and lyrically enigmatic/dark.