Joe Henry - "Bloom"

So apparently the video for the track is called 3'40" to reference the duration rather than the song title, "Bloom," but regardless of what it's called, the new song from Joe Henry's forthcoming The Gospel According to Water just dropped today. As I've come to expect from him, it's another literate heartbreaker with great turns-of-phrase and Henry's evocative delivery.

The very first lines are "there's very little / we can leave behind / will truly mark this Earth / but treachery and love / are ours to keep / for all they're worth." - if you're not digging it by 0'40" then chances are you won't go the full 3'40"

For more info and to pre-order Henry's album - out November 15 on earMUSIC - head over here.

LOONY - "Dare You"

Just got word this morning that Scarborough R&B act LOONY will be opening for Rhye this Sunday at the Garrick here in Winnipeg.

LOONY just dropped a new video for the track "Dare You" (below) and listening to the loping beat and delicate vocals, it's no surprise they'll be serving as the opener on all the Western Canadian dates.

My interview with Mike Milosh - aka Rhye - will air tomorrow night just after 6:30pm CT on my show TGIFR, and I'm pretty sure I'll be kicking things off with this cut.

Tawiah - "Recreate"

October 18th is an auspicious date. In my life, it's the day that Pledge-O-Rama, UMFM's annual funding drive starts (though you can support great campus/community radio ANY TIME). In the world at large, it's the album release date for Starts Again, the new record by London, UK neo-soul singer Tawiah.

"Recreate" is the first single from the album and it's a promising note to begin on. REALLY dig the arpeggiated harp on this one and not surprised to discover string arrangements are by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson.

While this is Tawiah's debut full-length, she has previously worked with a murderers row of RR faves: Cinematic Orchestra, Blood Orange, Mark Ronson, Kindness, Cee-Lo, Wiley, Zed Bias and Eric Lau

And the record comes out on the always-on-point First Word Records who continue to amass a brilliant roster of artists.

Bridal Party - "Attention"

Didn't realize I'd taken quite so extended a break from RR - August turned out to be a busy month IRL and while there was a slew of music crossing my desk, I just didn't ever get my head above water to share stuff.

That said, I'm catching up on last week's releases as I was completely off the grid and found Too Much in my inbox from Victoria BC's Bridal Party waiting for me. It's a front-to-back solid slice of indie pop, but it was album closer "Attention" that really got mine.

It pairs a really bouncy track with a pretty scathing take on social media behaviour and great vocals from Suzannah Raudaschl that showcase her range - particularly on the chorus.

The band are about to hit the road - including a stop here in Winnipeg - and fingers-crossed I'll be talking to them for my radio show and possibly coaxing them in to UMFM for a live session.

Audrey Powne - "Flowers"

I've only made brief mention of Melbourne, Australia act Leisure Centre here on RR, but the contemporary soul group and Hopestreet Recordings roster member have found their way into my playlists and heart.

Despite the group being on my radar, I missed the fact that band-member Audrey Powne released a solo single earlier this year, but thanks to a Bandcamp article about the Brownswood comp Sunny Side Up, I discovered this gem.

It begins with a glissando harp run and then a swelling horn line and by 0:05, I'm completely won over because these things check some psychological boxes for me. All this before the drums kick in and Powne intones "When you bought me roses / I should've questioned your motives." That first five seconds might not be enough for some people, but if you're not all in by the 30 second mark, by all means close the tab on your browser and walk away because I don't know what to say.

I've always looked forward to more from Leisure Centre and the Hopestreet label, but I've added Powne to the list of Melbourne music I'll always press 'play' on.

Common Holly - "Central Booking"

Two weeks ago I spoke with Brigitte Naggar - aka Common Holly - for my show in advance of her playing Real Love Summer Fest (this weekend!!) and at the time, "Central Booking" was still on the horizon and we had to feature something from her 2018 record, Playing House. In the interview, Naggar hinted at some of the sonic changes in the offing with her new material and "Central Booking" certainly demonstrates that difference.

Hopefully we'll be hearing more new Common Holly material this Saturday at 5pm as part of RLSF, in advance of the 11 October release of When I say to you Black Lightning.

Dylan Perkons - "Desert Island"

Every now and then I hear a song that just GUTS me. The first track off Dylan Perkons upcoming LP, The Healing Day, which he recorded at Port William Sound with Reductive Reviews fave Jonas Bonnetta (aka Evening Hymns) landed in my inbox yesterday and the text accompanying the link to the track gives the following background:

“Desert Island” comes from my own tendency to go inward and seek isolation in times of emotional distress, partnered with the need to be seen and heard and share this life with people I love. It touches on the struggle between these two things – both the immense capacity of vulnerability, and the shame that’s often felt when we isolate ourselves.

I'm gutted because it 100% speaks to my own experience and something I wrestle with and puts it to music. The way the lyrics more from "oh you know / oh you know / I'm better off alone" to "oh you know / oh you know / I'm grateful for love" gets me every time and even typing it up my throat constricts and my tear ducts fill.