PRESS PLAY: New Albums out March 8th

Where last week’s PRESS PLAY was anchored by strong showings by Philadelphia-based groups, this week’s roundup offers an international flair. Norah Jones reunites with Daptone mainstay Leon Michels (who previously produced Jones’s 2021 Christmas album) for her light and lively ninth LP, Visions. Powerhouse producer Jack Antonoff returns to his solo project Bleachers with a headrush of a self-titled album that features songwriting collabs with Lana Del Rey, Florence Welch, and Aaron Dessner. The Collective might only be the second solo release from former Sonic Youth member Kim Gordon, but the songs thrum and lurch with a lifetime of experimental rock experience.

Nearly a decade after their last album (which, itself, followed a decade-long hiatus), The Libertines’ All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade is a glamourous comeback from the volatile rockers. Visceral and haunting, Moor Mother explores uncomfortable truths connecting 19^th century British history to the present day on The Great Bailout. On Letter to Yu, his solo debut, Bolis Pupul steps into the spotlight for a rousing love letter to his Asian-European heritage.

PRESS PLAY on these new releases below. Listen for spotlights on new records like these (and more) every week on the XPN Morning Show and Indie Rock Hit Parade.

Norah Jones – Visions
CHECK OUT: “Running” “Staring at the Wall”

Bleachers – Bleachers
CHECK OUT: “Modern Girl” “Alma Mater”

Kim Gordon – The Collective
CHECK OUT: “BYE BYE” “I’m a Man”

The Libertines – All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade
CHECK OUT: “Run Run Run” “Night of the Hunter”

Moor Mother – The Great Bailout
CHECK OUT: “GUILTY (feat. Mary Lattimore, Lonnie Holley, and Raia Was)” “ALL THE MONEY (feat. Alya Al Sultani)”

Bolis Pupul – Letter to Yu
CHECK OUT: “Completely Half” “Ma Tau Wai Road (with Salah Pupul)”

FURTHER LISTENING:
Air – Moon Safari (25^th Anniversary Edition), Alice Cooper – Billion Dollar Babies (50^th Anniversary Deluxe Edition), Anja Huwe – Codes, Ariana Grande – Eternal Sunshine, Astrel K – The Foreign Department, Bananarama – Glorious: The Ultimate Collection, Bayonne – Temporary Time (Orchestrated), The BV’s – taking pictures of taking pictures, Charles Moothart – Black Holes Don’t Choke, The Children – Sudden Craving, Dave Harrington, Max Jaffe, and Patrick Shiroishi – Speak, Moment, Dion – Girl Friends, Dry Cleaning – Boundary Road Snacks EP (Reissue) / Drinks/Sweet Princess (Reissue), Eyelids – No Jigsaw, foamboy – Eating Me Alive, Haux – Blue Angeles, HOMESHAKE – CD Wallet, Judas Priest – Invincible Shield, Kahil El’Zaba’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble – Open Me, A Higher Consciousness of Sound and Spirit, Kilgour – How to Put Your Hat On, Konradsen – Michael’s Book on Bears, Lamplight – Lamplight, LOOPER – Up a Tree (25^th Anniversary Reissue), Loreena McKennitt – The Road Back Home, Marry Waterson and Adrian Crowley – Cuckoo Storm, Mayday Parade – Mayday Parade Lofi EP, Maxwell Farrington & Le SuperHomard – Please, Wait…, Meatbodies – Flora Ocean Tiger Bloom, Oisin Leech – Cold Sea, Olof Dreijer – Coral EP, Rachel Ana Dobken – Acceptance, The Rolling Stones – Live at the Wiltern, Slow Hollows – Bullhead, Snakefinger – Chewing Hides the Sound (Deluxe Edition), The Stylistics – Love is Back in Style, Taj Mahal – Swingin’ Live at the Church in Tulsa, Tomato Flower – No, Torrey – Torrey, Xmal Deutschland – Early Singles 1981-1982