Your post-St. Valentine’s New Music Monday selections feature an inspired duo, a solo debut and Denton’s newest songwriting ace.
With a nod to his phone’s “Memos” app that he wrote of most of the songs for his new record with, recent California-to-Denton transplant, father of three and songwriter Wesley Jensen didn’t have far to search for the perfect album title of his new album. Songs like “Carpenter” – written in the wake of his late uncle’s valiant battle with cancer – and “Humanitarians,” our made-for-radio pick for New Music Monday, make it clear to us that there’s a mega-notable new talent in town and that we’ll be hearing even more about Wesley Jensen & The Penny Arcade in the months ahead.
Following the breakup of Smith Westerns, former frontman Cullen Omori took some time off for a breather – which for him meant a day job at a medical supply operation, and writing the songs for his debut solo album, New Misery. Inspired by the piped-in Top 40 that carried Omori through his workday, “Cinnamon” is a subversively delightful and spirited pop gem that demands your attention. New Misery arrives March 18 via Sub Pop, and April 12 is when you can catch Cullen Omori at the Prophet Bar.
When Sam Beam and Jesca Hoop join forces for “Every Songbird Says,” it’s no stretch to declare that magic happens. The soft, crystalline blend of their voices and melodies are a balm for the head and the heart, and should the angels sing as the sun streams down from the parting clouds the first time your ears pick up on this, don’t say we didn’t warn you. Beam & Hoop’s album of duets Love Letter For Fire lands April 15, and their spring tour brings them to The Kessler on May 28.
XOXO
Gini.
