Camera Obscura Return! New Album + New Single

How on Earth have we reached 10 years without a Camera Obscura record? This was the news that I wasn’t expecting, though now that I’ve sat with “Big Love” for a minute, I’m definitely celebrating. There’s an immediacy in the tune’s hook, Tracyanne Campbell’s voice is so powerful and distinctive, that you can’t pull away, even as you notice the band have begun to shift the sound a bit. Press info reports that the group have peeled back a bit of the horns and strings, turning towards organs, keys and a bit of swing to boot. One of my favorite things about this tune is that you can hear the shift in a new direction, though the move doesn’t seem outlandish, as the central style of songwriting is totally lurking beneath that slide guitar. Really excited to hear what’s in store on Look to the East, Look to the West, out May 3rd via Merge Records.

Stream Big Love from Burner Herzog

Out in San Francisco, Paisley Shirt Records is doing a great job releasing tunes we’ve been enjoying quite a bit over here, like the R.E. Seraphin LP from earlier this year. But, just recently, they also dropped Big Love, the latest LP from Burner Herzog. Sure, it’s been out a few weeks, but maybe you weren’t aware, so here I am. Herzog has worked with artists we adore like Bill Baird and Tony Molina in the studio, and he admits he’s been influenced by Tony’s work, at least in how he came about crafting this album. I think my favorite tracks are a toss up between “Prayer Candles” and “Bob Dylan is a CIA Man,” particularly the vocal melodies that sine through in the latter tune. Plus, you get a nice little Silver Apples cover with “You and I.” Let’s all walk together, friends, and listen to Big Love!