Singer-songstress Jesca Hoop returns next month with The House That Jack Built, the anticipated follow-up to Hunting My Dress. “Born To,” the album’s lead single, is a poppy, twangy tune that, naturally, highlights Hoop’s exceptional voice. Dig it, and look for The House That Jack Built via Bella Union on June 26.
Music
Video: Trentemøller’s “My Dreams” (acoustic version)
For Record Store Day, Danish producer Anders Trentemøller released a special seven-inch cover of The Gun Club’s “My Dreams.” Now Trentemøller and company (again including guest vocalist Marie Fisker) have released a video for an entirely acoustic version, complete with toy piano.
Review: Birthmark’s Antibødies
Birthmark: Antibødies (Polyvinyl, 5/15/12)
“Stuck”
[audio:https://alarm-magazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Birthmark_Stuck.mp3|titles=Birthmark: “Stuck”]The multi-talented Nate Kinsella (cousin of Tim and Mike Kinsella) has made a name for himself performing in or alongside a slew of out-there indie outfits, including December’s Architects, Joan of Arc, Make Believe, and Owen. As Birthmark, his densely layered solo project, he creates a sound all his own by experimenting with a variety of instruments to an effect that is whimsical and unusual.
Review: Squarepusher’s Ufabulum
Squarepusher: Ufabulum (Warp, 5/15/12)
“Dark Steering”
[audio:https://alarm-magazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Squarepusher_Dark_Steering.mp3|titles=Squarepusher: “Dark Steering”]Previously a ceaseless innovator, recent Squarepusher albums have followed a holding pattern: a strange departure that feints at a new direction (the strangely light-fusion-inflected pop of Just a Souvenir; the truly weird, limp lounge on the conceptual not-actually-a-full-band Shobaleader One: d’Demonstrator) is followed by an “okay, just kidding” return-to-form release (Numbers Lucent and Ufabulum, respectively).
Review: Lungfish’s ACR 1999
“Occult Vibrations” (ACR version)
[audio:https://alarm-magazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Lungfish_Occult_Vibrations_version.mp3|titles=Lungfish: “Occult Vibrations” (ACR version)]The website for independent record label Thrill Jockey jokes and/or asserts that post-hardcore progenitor Lungfish is “enshrined as one of America’s last true folk bands.” Digging into the vaults, Dischord Records’ latest release shows that the group’s hidden relics still have potency, folk or otherwise.