KXT’s New Music Monday picks for this steamy summer day include UK psych pop, a whiff of Wilco and a band from right here in Big D:
There’s a new Dallas four-piece on our radar and fittingly enough, the title of their new EP translates into “good life,” which as we all know, is helped along by good listening. Bella Vita is the sophomore release from NEONNOAH, and lead single “Atlas” takes its cues from Vampire Weekend and Grizzly Bear, with energy and hooks for days. Experience it for yourself on Thursday night as Art Conspiracy and the Kirk Hopper Fine Art Gallery host an evening with NEONNOAH and the band Honor System.
Turns out that when Wilco released Star Wars last summer, there were enough leftover songs for a whole new album, which Jeff Tweedy alluded to in an interview earlier this year. And now, with an obvious nod to the late, great Harry Nilsson, Schmilco is a mostly acoustic and, in Tweedy’s own words, “joyously negative” affair. “If I Ever Was A Child” conjures up memories of the 70s FM soundscape, and offers up a mellow taste of what to expect when Schmilco arrives on September 9.
It’s been 20 years since the release of Kula Shaker’s debut, and during that stretch the much-loved English psych-pop outfit released three other albums, played sold out shows in both the UK and Europe, and have opened for the likes of Neil Young and Beck. So just as the world could use more in the way of positivity, along comes Crispian Mills showing off his knack for melody and superb songcraft with “Let Love Be (With U),” which you can find on the band’s August 26 release, K 2.0.
September 9 marks the much-awaited return of the Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall, and “Maybe It’s A Good Thing” is all you’ll need in the way of summery vibes and fetching harmony. Only a couple of years ago, she’d almost given up on music entirely – and lucky for us, it was only a phase. Be on the lookout for KIN, her fifth album, coming out on September 9.
Thank you kindly for your keen ear.
XOXO
Gini.
